Shewli Ghosh Press on Alcatraz Swim!

Shewli was featured in the Denver press for her swim to Alcatraz in support of cancer patients.

Click here to see the video and story on ABC Channel 7 News at DenverChannel.com:
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/health/24909816/detail.html

Click here to listen to her interview on Denver's KYGO when she was featured as "Rider's Denver Heroes": http://www.kygo.com/Channels/AudioOndemand/MorningShow/Story.aspx?ID=1279096

Here is the DonnaBellas Angels press release text:

PRE-TEEN SWIMS SAN FRANCISCO BAY TO RAISE MONEY FOR CANCER PATIENTS
Colorado 6th Grader Shewli Ghosh to complete second swim from world-famous Alcatraz Island to the shores of San Francisco, California.

Ms. Ghosh first swam over a mile in the blustery waters of San Francisco Bay a year ago. The personal challenge of completing the notorious Alcatraz swim was coupled with her goal of raising awareness of breast cancer.

On September 18th, 2010, Ms. Ghosh will return to Alcatraz and complete her second swim. Ms. Ghosh will raise funds for therapeutic aids called My Angels to present to cancer patients.
My Angels are palm-sized soft-foam angel figurines that were designed and created by Ms. Ghosh’s mother, Shohini Ghosh. My Angels are blank slates for patients to decorate and keep for support and hope as they cope with chronic, terminal illness. Family and friends are encouraged to add messages of encouragement. The figurine truly becomes a support mechanism for the patient, silently sharing moments of joy, sadness, victory and defeat.
Money raised will be used to create My Angels in soft foam. Medical staff have provided DonnaBellas Angels with feedback that the soft foam will be helpful for patients to squeeze and hold during the numerous blood draws, as well as, physical therapy, e.g. to reduce swelling in the arm following removal of lymph nodes.

My Angels have been donated to hospitals around the United States and have been gifted individually to dozens of patients. My Angels have been very well received and there is an ongoing need for greater production. The American Cancer Society, Inc., Surveillance and Health Policy Research Department estimates that over 1.5 million new cancer cases will be diagnosed in 2010. Ms. Ghosh would like to reach out to each of these people as part of her personal mission to help those undergoing treatment.

Ms. Ghosh is raising money to fund My Angels in a collaboration with DonnaBellas Angels, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. All donations are tax deductible and 100% of funds received on Ms. Ghosh’s behalf will be used to provide therapeutic My Angels figurines to chronic, terminally ill patients as a symbol of hope, faith and silent support.

About the Swim:
The South End Rowing Club's 15th Annual Alcatraz Invitational Swim on Saturday 8:30 AM, September 18, 2010. This is a 1.25 mile open water swim from Alcatraz Island back to the South End Rowing Clubhouse at the foot of the Hyde St. Pier in San Francisco. For more information visit: http://www.south-end.org/invitational/

About Shewli Ghosh:
For more information about Ms. Ghosh and the My Angels, please visit: http://shewli.blogspot.com/ and http://www.myangelstory.org/

About DonnaBellas Angels:
DonnaBellas Angels is a 501(C)3 nonprofit organization which provides inspirational healing art to those coping with a chronic or terminal illness. To donate, please visit http://www.donnabellasangels.org/donate/myangel.html

You can see more on our webpage about Shewli at:
http://www.donnabellasangels.org/events/calendar/2010/09-ShewliSwim/index.html

DonnaBellas Angels link to Press Release Announcement PDF: http://www.donnabellasangels.org/events/calendar/2010/09-ShewliSwim/Alcatraz%20Swim%20PR%2009-15-10.pdf

Painting Donations for Cancer Therapy & Research Center (CTRC)

DonnaBellas Angels has given 11 paintings to the Cancer Therapy and Research Center (CTRC) in San Antonio, Texas. A complete list is available on the DonnaBellas Angels web page for CTRC.

This picture features "Southwest Cancer Angel" with the text of "What Cancer Cannot Do. See this painting on the DonnaBellas Angels website at: http://www.donnabellasangels.org/art/cancer_cannot/angel-southwest.html

Staff has provided this feedback to us about the inspirational art:

"I think people can support the cause because the cancer angels provide a way to direct good energy to the patient's soul thus helping them or a family member a way to strengthen their souls to continue the battle."
-Ofelia Romero, Cancer Therapy & Research Center Nurse

"The prints are beautiful! They bring inspiration to the patients and liven up the clinic atmosphere."
- Miranda Villarreal, Cancer Therapy & Research Center Nurse

CTRC has provided DonnaBellas Angels with updated photos. Click here for the Sumer 2010 album of the art in the clinic!



















"Beauty in Life Rounded Rainbow" is in the left corner. It is a watercolor painting with the text of "Beauty in Life".

You can see more of this painting on its art web page at http://www.donnabellasangels.org/art/cancer_new/text-beauty_rrainbow.html

"Feel My Beauty Pink Cancer Angel" painting is in the waiting room above a table with cancer treatment options. It features an angel with the text "Feel My Beauty".

See this painting on the DonnaBellas Angels website at: http://www.donnabellasangels.org/art/cancer_new/feel_beauty_pink_cancer_angel.html

"Undaunted Me" Cancer Survivor Poem

The "Rainbow Cancer Angel" painting was donated in February 2009 to the Pasco Pinellas Cancer Center (PPCC)in New Port Richey, FL. Johnette Loefgren who was treated at PPCC was inspired to write this poem after seeing the painting and receiving a print from the nursing staff:

Undaunted Me:

I brought my atmosphere of doom

into the crowded waiting room

I hung my head and heaved a sigh

and tried my hardest not to cry.

Then I rose to get a drink

and something made me pause and think

An angel's words rang bright and true

and said what Cancer cannot do

No one told me that before

it opened up another door

to hope and strength and something new

I learned what Cancer cannot do

This in turn stirred up my soul

I'm me inside,untouched and whole

Do your worst ,I'll always be

In life or death,undaunted...ME!


-Johnette Loefgren

Holiday,FL

See more images and read about the donations to Pasco Pinellas Cancer Center. http://www.donnabellasangels.org/events/donations/pasco_pinellas/index.html

See the "Rainbow Cancer Angel" on the DonnaBellas Angels website. http://www.donnabellasangels.org/art/cancer_cannot/angel-rainbow.html

DonnaBellas Angels partners with the San Diego Burn Institute for “Camp Beyond Scars”

In August 2009, DonnaBellas Angels partnered with the San Diego Burn Institute to help provide an inspirational art craft for the children’s summer “Camp Beyond Scars”.

DonnaBellas Angels provided art supplies & craft design for “Create Your Inner Portrait”. Children will trace their outline of their body on paper then fill it with statements and pictures about what they love, like, and hope for in life. Here are some pictures, plus feedback from Dana Kuhn at BI about the event:

"The Burn Institute’s Camp Beyond the Scars has received generous art and craft donations from DonnaBellas Angels. Camp Beyond the Scars is like any other camp except that it is a camp for burn survivors. And as we plan our camp activities, we take into account their needs.

In 2009, we had a lot of campers coming in with deep burns to their hands which meant skin grafting and a lot of corrective healing in the process. As they were entering camp they were attending Occupational Therapy multiple times week to maintain and/or regain mobility to their hands. This time is essential in one’s recovery. With that knowledge, we focused on bring a lot of arts and crafts to camp so that all the campers but most notably those with hand burns where still experiencing some form of Occupational Therapy.

The theme to our camp was, “Experiencing Through the Arts,” introduced campers to a variety of art-centric activities including making collages, knitting, tie-dying, dancing and performing in a talent show with their cabin mates. Though the theme was chosen to encourage personal creativity, several activities were selected to promote mobility and flexibility for children badly scarred by burn injury.

Arts and crafts was a daily activity that really allowed them to use their hands. They continuously worked their fingers, but were still having fun with it…not knowing that in the process it was considered a form of Occupational Therapy. For the teen campers…we used collage in part with their support group sessions…and it truly brought out some true artistry! Most of all the arts and crafts were donated by DonnaBellas Angels and some ideas where shared with us to implement!!!

THANK YOU DonnaBellas Angels!!"

- Dana Kuhn
Burn Survivor Support Services
San Diego Burn Institute

Burn injury, whether accidental or inflicted remains one of the leading causes of childhood death and disfigurement in the United States. For those children who survive a serious burn injury, permanent scarring, physical deformity, social isolation and emotional trauma linger well beyond the initial tragedy. Each year children, ages 5-17, attend a weeklong summer camp held in the foothills of San Diego County.

Visit DonnaBellas Angels online event page: http://www.donnabellasangels.org/events/calendar/2009/08-Camp_Beyond_Scars/index.html

Camp Beyond Scars: http://www.burninstitute.org/bss/programs/camp.html

Inspirational Healing Art and Loved Ones

Kat & Mark O. said this about our art:

"When a close family member was diagnosed with a terminal illness, DonnaBellas Angels was gracious enough to provide her with an angel print. The print meant so much to Mickey that she kept it close to her on her bedside dresser. When she passed away, her best friend asked to h...ave the print because it remained her of Mickey. DonnaBellas Angels gives hope and life to those who are ill as well as gives hope and life in passing. It helps loved ones of patients to know that they are not alone."

Here is the link to the "Springs Hearts Cancer Angel" Painting on our website.

DonnaBellas Angels Donations to Texas Children's Cancer Center (TXCCC)

DonnaBellas Angels is donating multiple items to the Texas Children's Cancer Center (TXCCC) in Houston. Donations have included the following:

Donation of art prints that were framed and displayed in the respite room.

Donation of art postcards that staff can distribute to patients and caregivers.

Donation of art prints that were given to patients and their caregivers.

Permission to use "Colorful Cancer Angel" painting on a t-shirt. The shirt was sold to fundraise to buy items for the respite room and the "Do Not Resuscitate" (DNR) Cart.

It is the mission of DonnaBellas Angels to provide inspirational healing art to medical clinics and wellness centers. We used donations ot help cover the cost of producing original art, and art prints so they can be made available at no cost or with a minimal fee to medical clinics.

“We had an 18 month old patient who we had taken care of since he was 4 months old. His health was rapidly declining and many of us started to prepare for the worse. There isn't much that can comfort you in these types of situations. However, the nurses went through artwork that was donated by DonnaBellas Angels and found a piece that we knew would be perfect. It was a painting of an angel holding a baby in the sky over several small houses. We placed the artwork above his head on his crib until the day he passed away. All of us finally found comfort in seeing that in this picture, we could see our little boy being taken to a better place by a sweet angel. Now knowing he was without any pain or suffering. We keep that same picture in our respite room as a constant reminder of him and how much we all miss him. Thank you to the whole DonnaBellas Angels family for providing this comfort to us!”

-Lindsey Zaremba, Pediatric Nurse at Texas Children’s Hospital Cancer Center
Click here to see a photo gallery of the donated paintings at Texas Children's Cancer Center.

Donations to DonnaBellas Angels help support providing art to places like Texas Children’s Hospital Cancer Center. We are planning to provide TXCCC with angel pillow cases for children whose family have choosen DNR. The angel pillow will be a comfort to the child as their last pillow with angels and love for them as their last pillow. Families will have the option to take the pillow home after they pass. Please join us in support our mission of providing healing art! Thank You.

Vote for DonnaBellas Angels!

Chase Community Giving
Chase is asking individuals to help decide which 200 local charities share $5 million in donations from Chase. ...Start voting for your favorites on June 15. Please vote for DonnaBellas ANgels!

http://apps.facebook.com/chasecommunitygiving/charities/260386606-donnabellas-angels-inc

Pasco Pinellas Cancer Center Receives Art Donations from DonnaBellas Angels

DonnaBellas Angels is donating multiple items to the Pasco Pinellas Cancer Center in Florida. Donations have included the following:

~Original painting donation of "Rainbow Cancer Angel" to the New Port Richey, FL facility.

~Original painting donation of "Spring Hearts Cancer Angel" to the Tarpon Springs, FL facility.

~Donation of note cards for staff to use in sending messages of hope to patients and words of condolence to families.

~Donation of art postcards that staff can distribute to patients and caregivers.

~Donation of art prints that were given to patients and their caregivers.

It is the mission of DonnaBellas Angels to provide inspirational healing art to medical clinics and wellness centers.

We used donations ot help cover the cost of producing original art, and art prints so they can be made available at no cost or with a minimal fee to medical clinics.


Click here to see a photo gallery of the donated paintings at Pasco Pinellas Cancer Center.

Susan Smith, Metastatic Melanoma Survivor is an Inspiration to DonnaBellas Angels Art

Back in 2005, Laurel Latto traveled to San Antonio, Texas. During her flight, she was inspired to draw angels. That night, she met up with her friend, Teresa Mooneyham, who shared her story of a possible cancer diagnosis, as well as, supporting her friend, Susan Smith, had stage IV metastatic melanoma. (Read the full story on our website "Angel Idea" page.) The result was the first cancer angel painting, "Colorful Cancer Angel".
Laurel was in San Antonio and presented Susan with a t-shirt that had been created by pediatric nurses at Texas Children's Cancer Center.
Susan continues to be in full remission for her melanoma. She was featured as a cancer survivor in a 2005 Proleukin ® calendar. Susan continues to be an inspiration to others coping with metastatic melanoma.

Photo (Left to Right): Teresa Mooneyham, Susan Smith, Laurel Latto

Click here for a photo gallery of more pictures of Susan.

Susan's words from 2004 about her cancer treatment and being part of 5% survival group:
I’ve been an oncology nurse for 25 years and cared for many cancer patients. Over the years, you see how people react to cancer differently. When I was diagnosed, I reacted by being busy. It didn’t overwhelm me even though I knew the statistics. I just took it as a matter of fact and thought, “What do I need to do next?”

I’m 50 years old and have lived in South Texas all my life, so my risk factor was multiple sunburns in my youth. In 1987, I had a mole removed from my upper left chest area that was diagnosed as malignant melanoma.

In January 2003, I began to have shortness of breath and weight loss. After a course of oral antibiotics, I went back to my doctor in February and found out I had lesions in my left lung and right chest wall, and involvement in the mediastinal area (the area between the lungs). Working in oncology research, I knew my odds weren’t good, but I also knew I had access to one of the best oncologists in the world. Dr. Geoffrey Weiss, of the Cancer Therapy and Research Center in San Antonio, immediately started me on high-dose Proleukin ® (aldesleukin) for injection therapy.

During the treatment, my entire skin peeled, but what a hidden benefit. It was as if I had been to an expensive spa. The side effects were awful, but I was able to take a few conference calls while confined to bed. After the IL-2, the right chest wall lesion and mediastinal disease disappeared. Although the tumor in my bottom left lung lobe decreased, the lobe was removed as a precaution in March 2004 and I’ve been cancer-free ever since.

I’d like to thank my devoted husband of 27 years who has stayed by my side, my terrific 14-year-old basketball playing son who would not let me forget the reason it was so important to fight for my life, and my wonderful friends and family members. Someone has to make up that 5% survival rate in five years, and with all of these guardian angels praying and helping, I’ll be one of those long-term remissions.

Shohini Ghosh's Angel Sculptures

Shohini Ghosh, Artist, is working on resin angel figurines for DonnaBellas Angels. She has designed a boy angel and girl angel. The theme is the gift of friendship and support. The below images are prototype sculptures. The final angel figurines will be in white acrylic.

Shohini’s thoughts and inspirations about her angel sculptures:

My mother is a breast cancer survivor who received extensive radiation and chemotherapy. What stuck me while caring for her was the physical pain of the medication. The treatment coursed through your body like molten lava flowing through your veins. This burning from the inside out is a feeling unique to cancer patient and beyond true description.

Cancer patients, as well as, other patients facing chronic or terminal diseases are subject to immense physical and mental challenges. They have a need to constantly hold on to hope, courage, peace, and love that will give them positive reinforcement and courage to face the journey. It is helpful to have an object that is a representation of these ideas because it is tangible and tactile. These angel sculptures allow a patient to share their pain and give keep faith for managing their illness.

These angels were created with the idea that it can be held by hands of all sizes during the treatment process. The angels will be smooth, with no sharp edges, light weight, palm size and white color.

Customizing by the patient and family:

The final sculptures will be white resin. Each angel can be painted or embellished by the patient and their family if they choose with words of hope, signatures of loved ones, pictures, etc. This will make the angel personalized and will remind a patient of their loved ones and the bond they share together.

After treatment is over, the angel sculpture will be a reminder of of the courage through the journey. The angel is a testament to the patient’s faith in themselves, loved ones, and God.

"Art to provide Hope in Living.

Art to provide Memory in Passing."

Costs:

Due to the cost associated with creating the sculptures, we will be asking for payments for the sculpture to help offset costs. If you wish to donate to this initiative of healing with art then please contact us at info@donnabellas.com.

Your donation help us provide the angel sculptures at no cost to cancer centers or wellness center clinics. We will also have information about online ordering, so please check back!

Donation to East Valley Hematology and Oncology Medical Group

Dr. Raul Mena of East Valley Hematology & Oncology, affliated with Providence St. Joseph Medical Center, will be receiving "My Life, My Choice Green Cancer Angel". Dr. Mena's clinic will be moving into the new Disney Family Cancer Center in Spring 2010.

Photos show Dr. Raul Mena, Veronica Hudson (Clinical Research Coordinator), Laurel Latto (Artist.)

DonnaBellas Angels Art on E-cards available at NOEP website

The Texas Nurse Oncology Education Program (NOEP) is using DonnaBellas Art on its website. You can send electronic cards with the angel art.

This is the link to the e-cards

More information about NOEP (http://www.noeptexas.org/):

Cancer education for nurses in all fields of practice

In Texas alone, it is estimated that 98,200 people will be diagnosed yearly with cancer (American Cancer Society, 2009).

The educated nurse has an opportunity to reduce the impact of cancer throughout the continuum of care, promoting screening, delivering quality care at the bedside, through professional organizations, and as advocates with friends and family members.

DonnaBellas Angels art on Texas Children's Hospital Cancer Center (TXCCC) T-shirt fundraiser

Pediatric nurses at Texas Children's Cancer Center (TXCCC) used DonnaBellas Angels art for a t-shirt fundraiser. The front of the shirt had TXCCC logo with the DonnaBellas Angels logo on the sleeve.

Learn more about TXCCC at http://www.txccc.org

The back of the t-shirt featured "Colorful Cancer Angel". DonnaBellas Angels allows third party non-profit groups to use our art with no fees for fundraising. (Donations are appreciated if the fundraising is succesful so as help us continue with our mission too!)

We request that the group's purpose be in support of patients & their caregivers, that the group sign a limited use agreement, & that we review the image prior to printing. If you are interested for your group, please email info@donnabellasangels.org.

See Colorful Cancer Angel on our website at http://www.donnabellasangels.org/art/cancer_cannot/angel-colorful.html

Prayers for Haiti

Our hearts go out to the people of Haiti. If you are interested in a relief organization that supports Haiti please consider Friends of the Orphans / Neustros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH). (NPH is Spanish for "Our Little Brothers and Sisters".) NPH cares for orphaned and abandoned children in Latin America and the Caribbean. The organization is known as "Nos Petit Frères et Sœurs" (NPFS) in Haiti.

After this Haiti earthquake, there will be many more orphans needing care. You may use the below donation link to help support NPFS 2010 Haiti Earthquake to support their relief efforts.

Please make a donation to Friends of the Orphans to fund repairs and help NPH/NPFS continue serving the people of Haiti.

Only a few hundred miles south of Florida, USA, is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, the island nation of Haiti. Here, a fifth of all children die before they reach the age of five and the life expectancy rate is only 48 years old. Father William Wasson founded Nos Petit Frères et Sœurs (NPFS), Our Little Brothers and Sisters, in 1988.

In December 2006, a state-of-the-art pediatric hospital in Tabarre, named St. Damien Chateaublond, was inaugurated. The hospital’s main focus is on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malnutrition and cancer. This facility provides in-patient care with 120 beds and out-patient care for up to 100 children daily. There is also a dental clinic, laboratory, and public health clinic on premises. Adjacent to the hospital is Kay St. Germaine, a 2,300 sq. ft., rehabilitation and physiotherapy center. These programs reach over 30,000 people annually.

In 2008, DonnaBellas Angels donated "Carribean Beach Angel" for their Saint Damien Pediatric Hospital in Tabarre, Haiti. (The picture shows the painting hanging as a banner at the hospital before they framed it. The words are Creole for "Joy" (Jwa) and "Peace" (Lepe).

Click here to see a video about St. Damien Pediatric Hospital (2006) in Tabarre, Haiti.

See more on our website at http://www.donnabellasangels.org/art/angel/caribbean-beach-angel.html

Shohini Ghosh creates Angel sculptures for DonnaBellas Angels

Shohini Ghosh, Artist, is partnering with DonnaBellas Angels to create boy and girl angel sculptures. She is busy working on a prototype and we are so excited to have her help! Check back and we will be posting photos later.

See more of Shohini's work on her website at http://www.shohini.com/

DonnaBellas Angels Partners with Texas Children's Hospital Cancer Care Center

DonnaBellas Angels donated art prints to Texas Children's Hospital Cancer Care Center. The nurses wanted to create a break room area that staff, as well as, potentially patients and their families could go to as an emotionally supportive area. The hope is to give staff a space to go to especially after losing a pediatric patient to cancer.

DonnaBellas Angels has also permitted the TXCCC to use "Colorful Cancer Angel" on a t-shirt that the nurses will sell as a fundraiser.



Texas Children's Cancer Center, world renowned for its work in pediatric cancer and hematology disorders, offers innovative therapies for all forms of childhood cancer and blood disorders. The Cancer Center is working to improve the outcome for all patients afflicted with these diseases.

http://www.txccc.org/

DonnaBellas Angels Art at Agape Church

DonnaBellas Angels art is on display at Agape International 12/8/09 - 2/15/10.

See the album of photos on our Facebook Page

Our show is coordinated through the Ministry of Art & Beauty. The Ministry of Art and Beauty is a celebration of the soul’s aesthetic qualities expressed through art, which has a potent transformational impact upon one’s spirit. This ministry exists to fills the walls of Agape with beauty, and to inspire in all who see it with an appreciation of what cannot be said in words but is powerfully expressed through artistic expression.

Learn more about Agape International Live at http://www.agapelive.com/

DonnaBellas Angels Partners with NOEP

DonnaBellas Angels art is going to be used for e-cards through the Texas Nurse Oncology Education program. More information will be posted later once available!

Nurse Oncology Education Program
http://www.noeptexas.org/
Nurse Oncology Education Program offers a variety of methods for nurses to earn continuing education credit. The Texas Nurses Association/Foundation Provider Unit is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.