ANDY'S CHALLENGE MAKES A DIFFERENCE!

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Since 2014, this group has raised over $300,000 to fund

cancer research and support cancer programs.

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IN SPITE OF THE COVID-19 IMPACT ON THE ABILITY TO HOST OUR EVENTS IN 2020 and 2021, WE HAVE REMAINED DEDICATED TO OUR MISSION WITH CONTINUED CRITICAL SUPPORT.

The University of Texas MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital Arts in Medicine program has one primary goal – to help young patients feel better. The program connects pediatric patients and their families to visual arts, music, theater and dance. Activities include community collaborations, large-scale projects, and one-on-one experiences. These opportunities give patients a sense of control and purpose, reduce anxiety and pain, make patients more comfortable in the hospital environment, and build community among patients and families. The Arts in Medicine program also offers music therapy to pediatric patients. Music therapy can help reduce stress and anxiety, build confidence, decrease pain and provide patients with positive social experiences. MD Anderson’s music therapist offers innovative care to patients in partnership with other members of the patient's care and support team.

Funding from Andy’s Challenge ensures that all pediatric patients and families have access to the high-quality, safe art materials utilized at bedside, in group programs, in the creation of large-scale collaborative art projects, and as part of the music therapy program. Thanks to this support, the Arts in Medicine program can utilize the arts to provide an opportunity for creative self-expression, comfort, and fun while receiving cancer treatment.

Andy’s Challenge, 

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I wanted to drop a quick note to express my heartfelt gratitude to you and all the hard-working folks at Andy's Challenge. Thank you so much for supporting our lab and plans to move a new type of therapy into the clinic for children, adolescents, and young adults with advanced sarcomas. Your generous gift will also help train a future scientist working in the lab interested in helping patients with sarcoma. I'll keep you posted on our progress! Thank you!

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All the best,

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Robin Parihar, MD, PhD

Assistant Professor

Department of Pediatrics

Section of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology

Texas Children's Hospital

Center for Cell and Gene Therapy

Baylor College of Medicine

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