Navicent Health is pleased to introduce a new service benefitting oncology patients and survivors. The Peyton Anderson Cancer Center, Navicent Health (PACCNH) will now offer free monthly art therapy classes for all patients and survivors in the community, regardless of where they receive treatment.

Art therapy will meet at PACCNH (800 First Street, Macon) on the fourth Friday of each month. The class begins at 1:00 p.m. and will last for one hour.

The community class expands a service that PACCNH has offered to patients receiving treatment since 2012, when the hospital received a grant from the LIVESTRONG Foundation to implement an Artist-In-Residence program. Due to its success, Navicent Health has continued and expanded the program over the past three years.

Clinicians at PACCNH have found that art therapy helps those affected by cancer deal with the stress of diagnosis, treatment or recovery through artistic expression.

“Art therapy has been an integral part of treatment in our Infusion Center since 2012, and we know that this service is beneficial for our cancer patients, as well as their loved ones. Art therapy relieves the tremendous stress that cancer patients are under, leading to clinical benefits like decreased pain and blood pressure, and improving treatment,” said Jill Hancock, RN, Manager of the W.T. Anderson Infusion Center and Breast Care Center at PACCNH.

By expanding the art therapy program through this new community class, PACCNH will offer people living with cancer the opportunity to connect with others through the arts, which can reduce anxiety, allay fears, combat isolation and boredom and most importantly, help people who are often viewed as representatives of their disease, rather than the unique individuals they are.

“At Navicent Health, we are committed to keeping patients at the center of all we do as we navigate them down the path of care. Art therapy provides an additional avenue leading the patient to health and wellness. We are pleased to provide this holistic approach to treatment. We hope that participants will be inspired and empowered through this hour,” said Ron Lazar, MBA,Director of Oncology Services for Navicent Health. 

Those wishing to participate in this free class may register by calling 478.633.8537.