Last summer, chefs, musicians, artists and others entertained cancer patients at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in Hamilton, New Jersey during an especially stressful time.
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, the providers of holistic medicine at the Cancer Center at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) Hamilton weren’t able to engage with patients in person. “Yet cancer patients needed holistic services more than ever,” says Ilana Gutierrez, a Foundation board member and co-chair of the annual “We vs. C” fundraising event, which benefits the holistic programs at the Cancer Center. So, she and Lisa Freeman, co-creator and co-chair of We vs. C, as well as a Foundation board member, decided they could help bring holistic healing to patients in a new way.
“The healing garden, which is located outside the Cancer Center, had just received a face-lift, and we had access to talent,” says Freeman. She picked up the phone and began calling musicians, artists, chefs, and others in the community.
That’s how the idea for “Summerfest” was born.
In July and August, local performers, chefs, and business owners entertained and educated patients in the garden while patients watched through the glass windows. The sound was streamed into the Cancer Center.
Welcome Distractions
Singers and instrumentalists played different genres, such as Broadway and Disney tunes, 1940s music, and electric guitar.
Painters created works of art and shared their techniques with patients.
Mexican and Jamaican chefs led cooking demonstrations and provided tastings for patients and staff members.
Another artist taught patients meditative techniques to help them find peace and balance.
There were lecturers who discussed inspirational topics, and there was a mobile flower market. Patients were invited to create their own bouquets and bring them home afterward.
“The patients were very receptive,” says Freeman. “The program was meaningful for the performers as well.”
RWJBarnabas Health and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton, in partnership with Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey—the state’s only NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center—provide close-to-home access to the most advanced treatment options. 844.CANCERNJ or visit www.rwjbh.org/beatcancer.
Certain performances were recorded, and they will be used to create a video library for Cancer Center patients and their families to enjoy. The hospital purchased iPads, and several were donated by local community members and Shop Hamilton, an organization composed of local businesses. They will be available for patients undergoing infusions. The iPads will contain the library of performances.
In the next phase of the program, patients may have access to holistic providers who are off-site, says Freeman. “They will be brought to the patients virtually,” she says.
Summerfest was a win-win for everyone. Not only was the hospital able to brighten the days of cancer patients, but it was able to help support the musicians, chefs, artists, and others during the pandemic. “We are beyond thrilled,” says Freeman. “We were able to bring patients an entertaining distraction from both cancer and COVID-19 while providing the performers with a rewarding experience.”
To learn more about the holistic programs at the Cancer Center, call (609) 286-8372 or visit www.rwjbh.org/hamiltonholistic.