FEEL BEAUTIFUL TODAY INC
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Mission Statement
Feel Beautiful Today is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing hope, love, and encouragement to cancer patients through the arts. We believe in the power of creativity to uplift the spirit, redirect the mind toward positive and meaningful experiences, and provide a sense of connection during the challenging journey of cancer treatment. Since 2010, we have designed and delivered arts-in-health programs at no cost to oncology patients in clinical settings, reaching over 17,000 individuals across more than 40 cancer centers. Our programs use the creative process to inspire, engage, and empower patients, offering them a moment of joy, self-expression, and emotional relief in the midst of treatment. At Feel Beautiful Today, we are committed to making a lasting impact by using the arts to foster resilience, promote well-being, and remind every patient that they are not alone.
About This Cause
FBT exists to help transform an oncology patient’s journey by redirecting their thoughts to a more positive and healing perspective through artistic tasks. The organization’s founder, Bivi Franco, witnessed firsthand the emotional and physical effects cancer’s diagnosis and treatment have on loved ones. The mission was born from the desire to humanize the experience for the patients, their caregivers, and their medical staff. There is a critical need to help the patient remember who they are outside of the diagnosis and encourage them to use their strength to persevere. FBT has grown over the last 15 years because the local community and the healthcare community recognize the benefits of treating the mind, body, and spirit of the patient all the way through to recovery. The fear and anxiety that come with a cancer diagnosis can make treatment very difficult. Once treatment begins, the physical and financial distress can compound the negative effects on a patient’s mental health. Introducing art to these patients allows them to redirect their thoughts to a more positive place and acknowledge the beautiful things in their life. It also encourages better communication between them and their caregivers and medical staff. They can express themselves through their artwork when words are more difficult to find and strengthen the relationships directly associated with their care. Current studies further suggest that treating distress will not only improve the quality of life for people living with cancer, but will also enhance treatment adherence, speed up recovery times, and even lower healthcare costs. FBT’s programs have been designed to complement the rapidly expanding efforts of hospitals and cancer centers to offer integrative oncology care. Since 2010, FBT has positively impacted more than 17,000 cancer patients and survivors, as well as thousands of family members, caregivers, and supporters indirectly through programs, community fundraising events, and partnerships with participating cancer centers and hospitals. The benefits of the use of art in medicine are becoming better understood. A recent study showed that Arts in Health programs can improve levels of depression and fatigue in patients receiving chemotherapy. As an expressive tool, art can expel anxiety and repressed emotions which can hinder the effectiveness of standard medical treatments. One of the challenges of battling cancer is that, despite the existence of familial and non-familial support groups, there is a strong tendency for cancer patients to feel isolated. For many patients, there is a sense of guilt that their effort toward recovery requires their complete concentration at the risk of neglecting other elements in their lives. For caregivers, it is similarly challenging. There are often no words or forms of affection that can adequately console or express the depth of one’s compassion. Art is important because it provides a medium that can transcend verbal language. It is a way to encourage an honest and shared experience without innuendo and without expectation. It allows participants to live in the moment without guilt or judgment, and communicate both grief and joy without feeling like a burden to others. FBT’s Arts in Health programs are uniquely and specifically designed to keep patients’ current circumstances in mind. Each program is developed carefully, keeping in mind all the variables that can affect the success of the mission including patients’ age, location, treatment side effects, physical challenges, and emotional needs. Staying current on research into Arts in Health is imperative, as well as study and certification in this area. FBT works to maintain the human connection by having direct contact with patients and survivors. Witnessing the impact and effects of the programs and receiving feedback from patients, caregivers, and medical staff helps to improve strategy and delivery. FBT’s strategy involves transforming the clinical environment around patients by using the arts. Programs are designed to include creative and artistic ways to give the patients an opportunity to express and communicate their feelings, socialize with others, and feel more normal. There is a wonderful camaraderie experienced when patients begin to understand that they are not alone in their fight. The powerful evidence of the communal experience involving art is compelling. Patients who participate in the workshops are transformed through simple activities and the relationships they encounter. FBT intends to provide every resource to help patients experience a better quality of life, and art can be a significant component in their healing process. FBT programs foster a social environment that helps patients feel less isolated. Patients are able to use their creativity as an outlet to relieve stress and discover a new way to cope with their circumstances. The social connectivity they experience is an added benefit for both the patients and their caregivers. Doctors, nurses, and loved ones represent a significant support team for the patient, so it is not uncommon for these individuals to face challenges themselves. For example, many healthcare professionals experience burnout because they are discouraged from dealing with emotional connections to their patients. The medical community has started to expand the traditional forms of treatment and beginning to embrace the concept of Integrative Oncology. The goals of Integrative Oncology include: Helping to decrease the side effects of conventional cancer treatment Improving energy, well-being, and overall quality of life Balancing and supporting the body’s immune system Providing insight and strategies for cancer prevention and health maintenance Strengthening the mind, body, and spirit during the healing process through Arts in Health programs. Cancer center we serve include American Cancer Society's Hope Lodge, Cancer Wellness Center at Piedmont, Egleston Children’s Hospital, Grady Hospital, Georgia Cancer Specialists, Northside Cancer Institute, Ronald McDonald House, Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital, The Winship Cancer Institute at Emory, and others.