COLUMBUS, Ohio — It can be heartbreaking for parents who watch their child fight cancer. The treatments and recovery periods take their toll on not just the patient, but everyone involved in the process.
One therapist is trying to lighten the mood just a little bit by using her talents to spread some encouragement.
What You Need To Know
- Julie Banner makes unique masks for pediatric cancer patients to wear during radiation
- Banner decorates the mask, but it’s the kids who choose what theirs look like
- She says giving them choice is crucial when fighting a disease like cancer
Julie Banner has turned a Radiation Therapy Room at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center into an art studio, where she decorates masks for the children she treats to wear during radiation.
“It’s just my gift to them," she said. “That’s always been my thing. What little I can do for them to try to brighten their day.”
Banner decorates the mask, but it’s the kids who choose what theirs look like.
“I did like Spiderman and Incredible Hulk,” Banner said.
She said giving them choice is crucial when fighting a disease like cancer.
“It helps them just think of something other than what they're coming in for and they can become something that they want to be make believe,” said Banner. “They're not the cancer patient or whatever they can be. Bluey, or they can be the superhero. It just gives them something else to think about and, you know, concentrate on.”
Banner’s decorated dozens so far, and she’s not stopping there.
“I’ll do it as long as I’m working,” she said.
She wants each mask to inspire hope.
“Just want them to feel special,” Banner said, “and that there’s more to everybody than the diagnosis that they have. They’re still human. They’re still kids.”
