Pediatric Patients Take High-Flying Adventure to SeaWorld San Antonio

Although school is getting ready to begin again for 28 young patients from The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, they interacted with many other schools – of fish, that is – this summer on a high-flying adventure to SeaWorld San Antonio.

This trip was offered for the fourth consecutive year as a "school’s-out" educational treat for the young travelers, who ranged in age from 6 to 18. Hosted by Southwest Airlines and SeaWorld, the trip was funded by the M.D. Anderson’s Children’s Art Project and Kids’ Fund as part of an effort normalize pediatric patients’ lives during their cancer treatments.

The participating children embarked from their various Texas hometowns and arrived in San Antonio. Judging from the smiles, it was hard to tell their biggest thrill – flying on an airplane (a first flight for many of them), staying – and swimming – at a hotel on the Riverwalk, or seeing the San Antonio sights.

As in previous visits, SeaWorld has been the visit’s highlight. While there, the young patients saw, and touched, the biggest thrill of all – Shamu, the park’s famous killer whale. While at the theme park, they also enjoyed shows, attractions, a hands-on tour, and participated in a weekly art class which was held in a special SeaWorld classroom.

"Our SeaWorld art class is always a fun part of the trip," said Leon Benavides, volunteer art coordinator for the Children’s Art Project. "It’s an opportunity for the kids to create memories on paper – everything from penguins to sharks to Shamu was reflected in their creations. SeaWorld helps trigger their imaginations and creativity, and the results are always amazing."

In addition to the SeaWorld adventures, the group visited Central Market San Antonio for a culinary artistic experience. They added their colorful interpretations of the fresh fruits and vegetables the market is known for to an existing exhibit by young San Antonio artists – painting the market windows with apples, pears, eggplants, carrots and more. A Central Market pastry chef also assisted them with making some edible art - decorating minicakes with all the fancy touches.

The group also visited San Antonio’s El Mercado, toured the Alamo, toured the exhibits at the Buckhorn Museum and took a special cruise on the San Antonio River. In addition, there was time in the busy schedule for a swimming party, complete with ice cream and other treats.

As the school bell gets ready to ring again, learning will continue, as many M.D. Anderson patients attend school full time during their treatment in the center’s classrooms.

The M.D. Anderson Children’s Art Project markets products showcasing art from pediatric patients, and all proceeds are returned to the cancer center to fund programs. Last year, the art project supported more than $1.5 million in patient programs, including the SeaWorld trip, two in-hospital classrooms, college scholarships for current and former patients, "pedi-parties," and art classes for children.

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URL: http://www.tmc.edu/tmcnews/08_01_02/page_21.html