GUMC Update

Lombardi Celebrates International Sarcoma Awareness Week

July 24, 2009

Three years ago, Teresa Hamman, now age 8, began to complain of pain in her elbow. Because she had recently fallen off her bike, doctors believed the cause to be a sports injury. But as the pain persisted, her parents knew something was seriously wrong.

“The doctors kept saying she was fine,” says Teresa’s mother, Mariae Hamman. “But I demanded they take another X-ray and look closer.” When they did, the doctors found an osteosarcoma tumor in her shoulder and referred her to the pediatric hematology/oncology clinic at the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center.

On Thursday, July 24th, Lombardi hosted a series of art projects in recognition of the 2009 International Sarcoma Awareness Week. This annual effort is part of The Team Sarcoma Initiative, an internationally-coordinated set of events that promotes sarcoma awareness and raises funds for sarcoma research, clinical trials, and patient and family services.

Sarcoma is a rare cancer of the connective tissues, such as nerves, muscles and bones. It can arise anywhere in the body and is frequently hidden deep in the limbs. Sarcomas account for 15 to 20 percent of childhood cancer diagnoses and about one percent of adult cancer diagnoses. Unfortunately, as in Teresa’s case, sarcomas are often misdiagnosed.

“When the doctors told us Teresa had sarcoma, I had no idea what it was,” says Hannan. Teresa underwent surgery to remove the tumors, and then received nine months of chemotherapy at Georgetown. “The art program at Lombardi was incredibly helpful,” says Hannan. “Teresa loves art, and she really looked forward to doing something fun when she had to come in for this painful treatment.” She is now in remission and is doing remarkably well, adds Hannan.

Lombardi’s Sarcoma Awareness Week events focused on arts activities. For the adult clinic, Nancy Morgan, MA-TLA, offered a special session of “Art & Conversation” with weaver Carol Bittner. Studies show that doing art contributes to quality of life for patients. “Feeling better emotionally may improve how patients feel physically,” says Morgan, who is director of the
Lombardi Arts and Humanities Program.

In the Pediatric Art and Play area, sarcoma patients, survivors, and friends worked on sarcoma awareness art projects. "Our patients with sarcoma have spent time coloring pictures of the 'sarcoma guy' with a shoe stomping him out. It's a good way for them to express how they feel," said

Jessie Masterson, ATR, a pediatric art therapist. They decorated the shoes with colorful patterns and the names of things that could help beat sarcoma, including research, chemotherapy, and family. Masterson and Mary Lane, LICSW, a pediatric social worker, organized the day’s activities in the pediatric clinic.

The Team Sarcoma Initiative began with just seven cyclists in 2003. This year, more than 10,000 people worldwide participated in events during International Sarcoma Awareness Week. The global Team Sarcoma Initiative is coordinated by the Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative, an all-volunteer organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people affected by sarcoma. Lombardi is one of 28 medical centers worldwide to host 2009 Team Sarcoma Events, and hopes to help stomp out this little-known disease.

Written by Claire Cushman

Submit your news at any time to the GUMC Office of Communications at gumccomm@georgetown.edu.

Copyright Georgetown University Medical Center 2007

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