As part of a volunteer initiative of Tiltan, College of Design and Visual Communications in Haifa, students designed and shared their unique and creative project to help pediatric bone marrow transplant patients through their journey to recovery.
Rambam’s pediatric oncology and hematology staff flip through the “Travel Journal.”. Credit: Tiltan College of Design and Visual Communications.
Recuperating from bone marrow transplantation can be arduous and tedious. A character named “Lenny the Lion” created by Tiltan graphic design students Shiran Neizer and Laila Oifa for a booklet “Travel Journal,” helps pediatric patients in the Joan and Sanford Weill Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation of the Ruth Rappaport Children's Hospital at Rambam Health Care Campus (Rambam) in Haifa, Israel pass the time and document their recovery. Using color and creative expression, the lovable character illustrates fun activities in the booklet while providing medical information in a friendly but practical manner, making it easier for the children to cope with the typically long recovery process.
The booklet was designed as part of the “Tiltan in the Community” project (a regular volunteer program at the school). Ruti Ofir, head nurse of the Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, and Yana Diamand, a pediatric oncology nurse, provided professional guidance and advice. Inspired by the project and its added value for the sick children, a local printing company, R. Kehrmann's Printing, donated their production services.
Shiran Naizer, explains, “The thought behind the booklet and the character was to find a kind of ‘friend’ – a supportive and cute companion who would encourage the children during the sensitive and difficult moments they are going through. We chose a lion because he symbolizes strength, heroism, and responsibility. At the same time, the lion cub is small, clumsy, cute, a little playful, and a bit funny, but always on your side – listening and offering advice and support on the side. Our goal was for ‘Lenny’ to enter the children's hearts and for them to enter his heart.”
Ruti Ofir adds, “This booklet helps children through activities, games, and creativity. The students really connected with their target audience. The image of the lion they created and the explanations incorporated in the booklet all combined to capture the children’s interest, while educating them. The booklet will remain with the children after their recovery as a souvenir of their journey.”
Based on an article originally published in Ice online’s “Health” section.
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