Caring for the Mind, Body, and Spirit 

At 17 years old, Yike “Michelle” Huang was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) while living in China. Before arriving in Memphis, she and her parents knew her care team would work to improve her physical well-being. But they were surprised by how much St. Jude also helped her improve her mental and emotional well-being. 

“We did not imagine there was a place in the world like St. Jude,” Huang says. 

As expected, treatment at St. Jude began with exams, tests, and lots of questions. But soon her care included things she did not expect.  

One afternoon, when she had some free time, Huang strolled through Family Commons. Wandering into the art room, she found some art supplies. Huang sat down and began to sketch, something she has done since she was 5 years old. 

An activities coordinator in Family Commons encouraged her to take part in the Teen Art Show. This annual show is organized by the Child Life program to encourage teens to express themselves through art. Works are displayed for a year in the hospital’s Teen Art Gallery. The initiative is part of Child Life’s Teen and Emerging Adult program. 

Engaging in creative activities, such as art, provides teens and young adults an outlet for emotional processing and self-expression,” says Child Life Specialist Tori Hinton. “Art can help promote positive coping and resilience while patients are battling a serious illness.” 

Huang created 2 paintings for the show, 1 small titled “The Flower Key” and 1 large titled “The Journey of Hope.” These works express Huang’s thoughts and her journey through medical treatment.  

The larger painting begins with a black-and-white sketch. The painting includes sketches of medicines, hospital equipment, bandages, and face masks. The lack of color represents how difficult the treatments were. 

“I stayed positive and was willing to take on the challenge,” she recalls, “but everything was a bit hard for me. It was a struggle.” 

The work becomes more colorful as Huang walks the path to St. Jude, arriving at a garden of beautiful flowers exploding with color. The theme of this painting represents the hope she is pursuing and her gratitude for those who help along the way. 

“I won’t say the treatment got easier,” she explains, “but I feel like every day I have something to look forward to, and I am looking forward to the next day.” 

Huang ’s care team encourages her to include her art as part of her care and treatment at St. Jude, something she is happy to do. In the future, she hopes to encourage and inspire others to express themselves as she has.  

“I think it is very important to emphasize cancer patients' mental health through art therapy or music therapy or any other things,” she says. “It really helps.” 

Huang says she hopes to become an art therapist when she returns to China. She wants to help others find their courage mentally and emotionally. 

“Do not give up,” she says. “Hope precedes the miracles.”