Los Angeles,
06
February
2020
|
07:14 AM
America/Los_Angeles

Movie Artists Draw for Sick Kids

CNN Health recently interviewed Cedars-Sinai pediatric patient Kiara Amalfitano about her experience with the Lollipop Theater Network (LOLLIPOP), a nonprofit organization that brings movies and entertainment to hospitalized children.

While celebrities and guests enjoyed one of Hollywood’s biggest nights – the Golden Globe Awards – pediatric patients like Amalfitano had a star moment all their own at Cedars-Sinai. They had an opportunity to sit down with two DreamWorks Animations animators who drew personalized artwork for every patient they met.

“It’s hard to focus on stuff that makes you happy when there’s a lot of stuff that can make you sad,” said Amalfitano before she received her custom drawing. Amalfitano is admitted at Cedars-Sinai while being treated for Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) – a sudden onset of neuropsychiatric symptoms including obsessive-compulsive disorder, tics and anxiety.

Amalfitano requested a drawing of a guitar but was surprised to see the finished result was not just a guitar, but a portrait of herself playing the instrument.

“It made me really happy,” said Amalfitano. “It made me remember that I’m going to be able to go home eventually and play my guitar again.”

Founded in 2002, LOLLIPOP has screened over 400 films and TV series for hospitalized children in more than 26 states, while also bringing other entertainment mediums like TV series and movies, a music program and collaborations with Nickelodeon, DreamWorks Animation and Blue Sky Studios and special celebrity visits.

Click here to watch the complete story from CNN Health.

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