The Power of The Superhero Project
“Visualizing myself as physically strong helped me endure the physical pain I experienced during the hardest days of my cancer treatments. While my real body was consumed by pain, my inner hero remained unstoppable.”
– Alison Rieman, three-time cancer warrior
In Spring 2020, University Hospitals commissioned an exhibit of superhero posters created by current or former UH Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital patients. Produced with the generous support of Jeremy Cares, a nonprofit organization that creates moments of joy for families of children living with serious illnesses, the exhibit of oversized posters was displayed for six months, bringing positive energy, bright smiles and a sense of hope to the thousands of hospital staff and visitors who saw them. The characters are a testament to the power of imagination as a tool for healing.
Pediatric resident Carolyn Figgie shared, “Walking by this exhibit in the hospital for the months that it was there always made me smile and it was so exciting to read in the superheroes’ descriptions how the children could recognize their strengths, since so often too much of the focus is on their illness and its downsides. I was very happy to see that kiddos from around the world could participate, so that I can still recommend this to patients even after my residency if I move away from Cleveland!
Thank you so much for the work you do in brightening up these children’s lives and please pass along my thanks to all the artists, printers, and other support staff involved as well!”
