www.MagicPaintbrush.ARTinMEDICINE.com
Created by
John Saito, MD
babababababababa
BACKGROUND
Cystic Fibrosis is a life shortening genetic disease that
affects approximately 30,000 Americans and many more worldwide. If not recognized and diagnosed early in
life, children with cystic fibrosis can suffer from malnourishment and
recurrent lung infections that irreversibly damage their lungs. Many with cystic fibrosis often die from
their lung disease.
In the US, many states have recognized the benefit of early
diagnosis and are moving to adopt newborn screening to identify infants with
cystic fibrosis so preventative therapies can be initiated to avoid the long
term consequences of late diagnosis.
Newborn screening will allow identification of cystic fibrosis in not
only Caucasians, but also Hispanics, African American, and Asian. As the size
and diversity of the cystic fibrosis population grows, there will be a need to
improve both the health literacy of children and families of children with
cystic fibrosis.
Low “health
literacy” or the ability to read, understand and effectively use basic medical
instructions and information is an emerging public health issue. Low health literacy costs our health system
as much as $58 billion a year (Source: Partnership for Clear Health
Communication). Although low health
literacy can affect everyone regardless of background or educational level,
studies show that limited literacy skills are a stronger predictor of an
individual's health status than age, income, employment status, education
level, and racial or ethnic group.
In our current healthcare environment, developing accessible,
entertaining, engaging, and educational material about cystic fibrosis for both
children and adults are of primary importance.
PURPOSE
I hope to
achieve several objectives through Magic Paint Brush:
1. Artistically,
I want to continue my commitment to bringing to art the life of medicine. I find that the synthesis of visual art with
storytelling to be a powerful communication tool that is accessible by readers
of all ages, educational levels, and cultures.
Conceptually,
the “magic paint brush” is a tool used to enter into the perspective of the
child or person. If this endeavor is
successful, I hope to publish stories created from the patient’s unique
perspective (i.e. “Little Macy and the Magic Paint Brush, Manuel and the Magic
Paint Brush, Tamika and the Magic Paint Brush, etc…).
2. Medically, Magic Paint Brush will address
issues faced by many of those
affected by CF.
3. Socially, Magic Paint Brush will raise public awareness of
cystic fibrosis. With greater
understanding and better public health policy, children with CF will continue
to live, not only longer, but better lives.
3. Personally, I want to help children affected with cystic
fibrosis to see themselves as heroes, not only to their families, but to their
caregivers and other children all over the world. More than that, I want this to be a
beginning…. Of a story that will end with a cure.
SUPPORT
To my
knowledge, Magic
Paint Brush is the first of
its kind. Dreams and endeavors such as
these are not achieved without effort, commitment, and financial support. As we all know, every day is not promised and
the search for the cure is not free. I
have assembled a first class creative team for this project but need financial
help to fully realize Magic Paint Brush and its potential.
I appreciate the follow companies who have provided sponsorship
for the project:
v Electromed, Inc (SmartVest® Airway Clearance
System)
v Hill-Rom (Vest® Airway
Clearance System)
v Cystic Fibrosis
Services, Inc. (Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Pharmacy)
v Axcan Pharma (ULTRASE® and
ULTRASE® MT (pancrelipase) Capsules)
My fundraising plans are the following:
1. Corporate sponsorship.
2. Advertisement.
3. Personal page sponsorship.
Specifically, for $200 per page, I will place your name (or the person
you designate) on the page you sponsor in the 1st issue of Magic Paint Brush.
Once the First Issue of Magic Paint Brush is published, your name will
be there forever.
Please note that I am keenly aware of the financial impact of CF
to children and their families. I have
no interest in accepting from those who having little to give. In fact, if Magic Paint Brush is
successful, I plan to establish a charity to help encourage creativity in
children with CF.
However, I would encourage you to ask your local business to
support your interest in personal page sponsorship. I will be happy to recognize their
contribution in print also.
Finally, even if you are unable to contribute financially,
please feel free to pass on the good word to the CF community about Magic Paint Brush.
Click here to enter the
world of
Johnny and the
Magic Paint Brush
Or go to Issue 1 Intro
Contact Information
E-mail address
jsaito@artinmedicine.com
Web address
www. MagicPaintbrush.ARTinMEDICINE.com
www. ARTinMEDICINE.com
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