Imagine being diagnosed with a serious illness as a child. Your entire life is turned upside down. You're poked and prodded, and everything you do is out of your control. You long for a return to some sort of normalcy, and cherish even brief moments of distraction and happiness.

My program gives pediatric patients that escape.  At each hospital I've visited, I've been invited to come back.  The kids, staff members and parents have raved about the impact I've had.

You can help bring some of those wonderful times to children who are fighting the most important battles they will ever face.

One very special story about my program was recently featured in a news segment by WNCN in Raleigh, North Carolina.  You can take a look at their report here: http://wncn.com/2015/08/04/nc-teen-seeking-tran...

My programs have already reached over 1,000 pediatric patients in hospitals and at camps - bringing fun, laughter and joy to kids who are truly struggling.

They get a feeling of true accomplishment and total joy as they create their own cartoon characters, and each child receives a free packet of art supplies so they can continue drawing long after I've gone home.

These gift packages contain non-toxic, latex-free pencils, crayons, colored pencils and drawing pads so that they are safe for children with compromised immune systems and allergies they develop due to their treatments.

Although I have been freely giving my time to take this wonderful experience to as many children as possible, I cannot do it alone. The costs of transportation, lodging and gifts can mount up quickly. And that's where you come in. Any contribution of any size will not only help me continue to do this, it will also help me transition the program from an individual effort to a non-profit that will bring similar programs to facilities treating these children all over the country. Perhaps even internationally!

Art heals.  Find that hard to believe? Check out the results of this study that was released by the National Institute of Health!  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23699646

YOU Can Help This Continue And Grow!

Professional artists, cartoonists and children's book authors have been asking me how they can get involved and do similar things at hospitals in their areas. I'd love to grow this into something truly unique, a program that supplements existing art programs while it also starts new ones in locations that don't currently have anything like this going on.

Turning it into a non-profit organization will allow me to seek larger grants and raise the necessary funds to enable others to share their special talents with these young patients. I'd love to be able to help defray their costs and provide all of them with free art packets to give away.

Who am I?  My name is Steve Barr, and I'm a professional cartoonist.  I'm also the author of quite a few "How to Draw" books.  I've taught thousands of children how to create their own cartoons at schools and libraries over the years, but I am now concentrating most of my efforts on making these programs available to pediatric patients (and their siblings), at no cost to them, their families or the facilities that are treating them.

Why are the art supplies and visits free?

Statistically, in the United States 50% of families who have a child diagnosed with cancer end up filing for bankruptcy.  That is a big part of why the free art supplies I give out play such an important role in all of this.  They help children be able to have a great time when their parents may not be able to afford extra things as their child is treated.

All supplies are brand new, latex-free and non-toxic.

What will your money be used for?
- To purchase and assemble more free art packages for the children.
- Help defray travel costs.
- Build free libraries of art activity books in hospitals and camps - not only my own books, but those of other authors as well.
- Cover some costs of living while I continue doing these programs and start to transition this into a national non-profit that will include other cartoonists, authors, illustrators and artists.

No Rules!

I always tell the kids that cartooning is an art form that has no rules.  By that, I mean that their cartoon can look any way they want it to.  Almost every cartoonist has a unique style, and I encourage each child to experiment and change things around.  Since there are no rules, they can draw any way they want to, and they can't do it wrong!

That allows them to completely relax, realize that it's okay to "make mistakes" and fix them.  It also frees them from control by anyone else around them (even me!), and that's something that doesn't happen often during their treatment.  They get to just be kids again, and be themselves.  They are in charge!

Look how excited this little one was when she got her gift pack!

She couldn't wait to rip open the packages and start drawing!  This is the kind of joy and excitement you can help spread.  Take a peek at the perks I'm offering, and choose a level that is comfortable for you.  Be a part of something awesome.  (I know that word seems over-used these days, but it truly does describe what's happening with this program.)

Check Out The Perks!

At the basic levels of contributions, you can receive an autographed copy of one of my books, or one with a quick cartoon and greeting on the inside of the cover.  You can keep it, have it signed to someone you'd like to give it to, or choose to have it personalized to donate to your local school, library or hospital.

And you can get a postcard with an original sketch on it.  You can keep it, frame it, color it or send it to someone with a personalized message on it.

At the higher levels, you can even get your own custom-designed cartoon character that you can use any way you like, because you'll own that image!  It's a great way to help out, and end up with a logo for your children's sports team, business, organization or just about any other use you can think of.

At the top level, you can work with me to set up a personal visit to any area in the Continental United States you choose.  We'll work together to arrange visits to schools, libraries or hospitals that you care about and would like to bring a little magic to.

Be A Part of the MAGIC!

Help me keep bringing this incredible program to groups of pediatric patients and to individual children with bedside visits when they can't attend the group gatherings.

I've even been known to pop into isolation rooms, dressed head-to-toe in protective gear and wearing a respirator to give special attention to youngsters with extraordinary complications.

For more information and a chance to read an amazing story about one of the miraculous impacts of this program, take a peek at this link: http://www.stevebarrcartoons.com/#!art-heals/c4nt

Together, we can build this into something that lasts long after I'm gone, and brings smiles to thousands and thousands of faces.

If you can't contribute right now, you can play a role by sharing the link to this campaign and letting other folks know about it.  Thank you for helping in any way that you can.  Let's DO this!