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ART therapy for Maria Peck is what she considers her rehabilitation.
Ms Peck has finished “the chemo” bit about a year ago, having undergone 18 months’ worth of chemotherapy for an aggressive breast cancer.
Now is the healing part.
“Cancer diagnosis is a real shock,” Ms Peck said. “I could come here for support from people experiencing the same things and it was a way I could express my fears.
“I started (art therapy) when I was having weekly chemo and it was a place I could forget about treatment. Art was a new avenue I could express myself without words – you can paint, draw or use boxes.”
Art therapy is part of the Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Centre’s wellness programs.
A $2000 donation from Ballarat Pink Phoenix breast cancer support group late this week has ensured the program can run for a whole year.
The therapy has also been strongly supported by Dry July fundraising and, with a whole new bout of sobriety pledges starting on Saturday, funds raised from that campaign can now also support other wellness centre programs and equipment – even extra green foliage about day chemotherapy floors.
When The Courier visited, participants like Ms Peck were working with a qualified art therapist on boxes to represent how they felt they were projecting to the outside world and what they were truly feeling on the inside.
Sessions start with a short meditation to relax and open their minds to whatever is going on in their lives.
“These programs are absolutely essential,” Ms Peck said. “I don’t know that I would’ve been able to carry on if I had to go to Melbourne.”
Ms Peck was never really that into art until she started in art therapy during her cancer treatment.
She has since completed a creative arts certificate and feels blessed with the new friends she has made.
In turn, Ms Peck hopes to now help other cancer patients. Even if this is just being there in class.
“This is a secure place. A place where you can cry, a place where you can laugh and just express what’s going on…you don’t have to explain anything to anyone,” Ms Peck said.
