There aren’t really any words to describe the devastation and destruction one feels when diagnosed with cancer. Cancer becomes the focal point of the person and family. During those traumatic times, it becomes very difficult to find comfort and the simple joy of a fun family outing, without cancer being in the forefront.
Just ask my dear Aunt Jeannie Yee. Diagnosed in 2008 with Stage 4 (stage before death) nasopharyngeal cancer with tumor migration to the brain, she has struggled intensely with life --physical pain, emotional heartache, spiritual wrestling, and the impact of a cancer crisis on her family of her husband Bill, Grace (10) and Joshua (6).
Waiting for more cancer treatment, she writes about this broken yet blessed 6-year journey of faith & cancer in her inspiring website: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jeannieyee. Be prepared. It is raw. It is real. It is redemptive. Most importantly, she hopes she can strengthen and encourage fellow cancer patients and families to trust in God, particularly when life does not make sense.
Jeannie Yee is one of several cancer patients to partake in Paint ‘n’ Play’s “Hold ‘n’ Hands, Help ‘n’ Hearts,” a legacy program designed to create lifelong keepsake ceramic handprints for families of ill cancer patients at no charge. The idea started when Paint ‘n’ Play owner, Lisa Barrios, received a call from a representative at The City of Hope in Duarte, asking for a ceramic art imprint for one of their patients. The idea blossomed from there. With its ceramic plates outreach “Hold ‘n’ Hands, Help ‘n’ Hearts,” Paint ‘n’ Play helps cancer patient families make a memorable artwork together that will last a lifetime. "I think it's wonderful for families of cancer patients to take time to be together, be creative, do something fun, and not to think about cancer --which patients with cancer think about every day," Lisa Barrios said. At Paint ‘n’ Play, families can spend some of that time creating a family heirloom that they will keep forever to commemorate their loved one. Paint ‘n’ Play has graciously extended their outreach as well by visiting patients too ill to leave the hospital and going to them to get their imprint. “Every cancer patient’s family deserves to have an imprint of their loved one, and we will do our best to accommodate that.”
I had the honor of introducing my Aunt Jeannie and her family to this gracious program at Paint ‘n’ Play. Aunt Jeannie and her family each took turns looking at all the different options and picking out what they thought would look best for the ceramic artwork. Everyone was having fun, laughing and enjoying their time at Paint ‘n’ Play. Lisa Barrios took a hand imprint from each member of Jeannie’s family, and she added all the personalized decorations to the imprint.
What a joy and inspiration it was to witness this family, with all their struggles, still be able to have fun and enjoy this time together!
Together, they created a legacy ceramic artwork piece. “The handprints on this plate capture a moment in time with a love that is timeless,” said Aunt Jeannie. Holding hands with my family and our family of supporters means I don’t go through this cancer crisis alone. I thank Christ for reaching down His hands from heaven to hold us, help us with His heart of love.”Thank you Paint ‘n’ Play for an incredible program!
Free of charge, “Hold ‘n’ Hands, Help ‘n’ Hearts” is a wonderful opportunity to make a memory that’ll last a lifetime. The legacy handprints made by cancer patient families are priceless.
To schedule a legacy handprint for you or for someone you love who is battling cancer, or to make a pledge please contact Paint N Play Art Studio @ 626 256 4848 or for more information click here. 
KNBC reporter Angie Crouch recently visited Paint N Play Art Studio to conduct a special interview with Hold ‘n’ Hands, Help ‘n’ Hearts founder Lisa Barrios and several Hold ‘n’ Hands, Help ‘n’ Hearts recipients for Life Connected, a new series chronicling the many ways in which people and communities across Southern California come together to inspire and support one another. 
Don't miss this KNBC Channel 4 special airing Sunday, March 8 @ 11PM (PST) & Monday, March 9th @ 12pm (PST). Please LIKE Paint N Play Facebook Page to show your support of this special program!
