A children’s cancer charity are the latest to showcase their art to help mark Childhood Cancer Awareness month. The “Invisible Journeys” artwork is on display at Tynemouth Metro Station and is the collaborative work of two local Tyneside charities, Children’s Cancer North and North Tyneside Art Studio.
The artwork includes 120 handcrafted golden stars which represent each child that receives a cancer diagnosis in the North East and Cumbria every year. It aims to shed light on the often-hidden challenges faced by young people living with cancer, and their families.
Abigail Hewson, Head of Charity for Children’s Cancer North, said: “It has been incredible to see this project come to life through the imaginative work of the staff and members of North Tyneside Art Studio. Receiving a cancer diagnosis and undergoing treatment is a life-altering experience for any individual, especially for children and young people who are often less able to comprehend their situation.
“Many of the challenges they, and their families, face are invisible to the public eye: the emotional toll, logistical hardships, and the disruption of daily life. Even something as routine as traveling to an appointment becomes a heavy burden, with some children in our region travelling over 100 miles daily to receive treatment at the Great North Children’s Hospital.
“We are proud to be showcasing the remarkable journeys that these children make through this exhibition and hopefully increasing the public’s awareness of our cause throughout September, which marks Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.”
The art installation has been available since 10th September and will remain on display until 4th October.
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month provides an opportunity to highlight the prevalence of the disease in local communities, and the new installation forms part of Children’s Cancer North’s “Paint the Toon Gold” regional awareness campaign.
The stars which are part of the artwork were produced in play sessions across wards 4 and 14 of the Great North Children’s Hospital, the two pediatric cancer wards that the charity supports. At the head of the exhibit is a giant woven sun representing the hospital and everyone within the multi-disciplinary team that care for children and their families. Long golden sun rays span the exhibition space and signify the varying distances that families travel for treatment, with some children having to travel over 100 miles from their homes to visit Newcastle.