Polymer Clay Creations By Angela Hickey: March 2011

The theme for the March Challenge of the Polymer Clay Artists Guild of Etsy is "Bottles of Hope". We were challenged to make a small bottle to be given to cancer patients and survivors. Please go to our challenge website to cast your vote. Voting is open to everyone from March 1 through March 7, 2011. Everyone who casts a vote will be entered to win a beautiful prize donated by one of our members.
After the challenge all the bottles will be donated to the St. Mary's Cancer Center in Nevada. Here is a little information about the center.

Saint Mary's Cancer Center

Besides being Nevada's only accredited Breast Cancer Center, here is more general information about St. Mary's Cancer Center:

Saint Mary's Center for Cancer is accredited as a Community Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Program by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer and features the latest technology available in the region's newest, most-comfortable facility. Designed for the comfort and convenience of our patients, the 15,000-square-foot Center for Cancer is located in Saint Mary's Center for Health, immediately adjacent to Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center. http://www.saintmarysreno.org/Medical_Services/STGSS031864.

Services and Resources

•Acute Inpatient Oncology Unit
•Additional Patient Resources
•American Cancer Society Cancer Resource Center
•Brain Tumor Center
•Breast Center
•Cancer Registry
•Chemotherapy Courses
•Imaging
•Lymphedema
•Our Team
•Outpatient Infusion
•Outpatient Nutrition
•Palliative Care
•Patient Education and Support Groups
•Patient Stories/Testimonials
•Preventative Screening
•Radiation Oncology
•Research/Clinical Trials
•Spiritual Care

One of the nurses from St. Mary's was so nice to write up a letter about the Bottles of Hope Program. Here it is:
The Saint Mary’s Center for Cancer is a comprehensive cancer program accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer. This program treats over 1,000 cases per year. In the fall of 2010, Saint Mary’s received accreditation for the Breast Center through the American College of Surgeons National Accreditation of Breast Programs (the first accredited breast center in the state). The top five cancer sites diagnosed at Saint Mary’s are Breast, Lung, Prostate, Colon and Bladder cancers.

The Center also provides a Rehabilitation program for women who have complete treatment for their diagnosis of breast cancer. It is offer free to all patients in the community. At the end of the 12 week program, each participant receives a Bottle of Hope, as complimentary gift for their participation in the program. The Bottles are well received by all participants.

The complimentary medicine component of the Cancer Program includes activities to enhance the healing aspects of the patient’s cancer journey. Bottles of Hope is an activity that includes a creative element and promotes healing. Patients and Cancer Center staff decorate used chemotherapy bottles with clay using their own creative ideas. Upon completion of the decorating the bottles are used as a vessel for a message of healing and hope. These bottles are displayed in the Infusion Center and other areas throughout the Center. The finished bottles are given to individuals with cancer as a way of instilling hope and encouragement during their treatment.

Our goal as a Cancer Center is to continue to provide these Bottles of Hope to our patients and community. We look forward to working with you and your company to make this a success.

Thanks again for your continued support.

Martha Aiyuk, RN, BSN, OCN
Manager,
Outpatient Oncology Services.
775-770-7410

This is my entry. I chose to do a colorful floral theme because, what could be more hopeful than a garden brimming with newly bloomed flowers? Signs of bright life bringing hope and joy to whoever sees them. I also covered several other small bottles that I will be sending along with my entry.