James Hayes Glass Sculptures to Benefit UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute
| LITTLE ROCK – The sale of original glass sculptures by Pine Bluff artist James Hayes will benefit enhanced patient support services at the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS).
The multicolored sculptures of a person with outstretched arms are titled “Never Lose Spirit” and are available for $25 exclusively at the Cancer Institute and UAMS hospital gift shops and online at www.neverlosespirit.org. Online shipping charges apply.
Proceeds from the sale of the sculptures will benefit complementary patient support services intended to address the emotional, physical and lifestyle changes associated with a cancer diagnosis. Classes for patients and caregivers, in addition to consultations with nutritionists, pharmacists and social workers are part of the program in development.
The Never Lose Spirit program was developed by Stacy Sells, Little Rock public relations executive, UAMS patient and cancer survivor.
“For so many of us, the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute means life. I underwent months of aggressive treatment and am now happy to count myself as an almost two-year cancer survivor.
“I believe there is not a better cancer center in terms of research and patient treatment than the UAMS Cancer Institute. This program will help the institute grow to reach the needs of more patients from Arkansas and beyond,” Sells said.
Each sculpture comes with a card explaining the cancer patient services initiative and background on the artist.
“These colorful sculptures are a perfect gift selection during the most loving time of the year when our attention is most focused on helping and giving to others. This year sales are limited to our two gift shops at UAMS and online, but we plan to expand sales sites next year,” said Brenda Scisson, Cancer Institute Foundation executive director.
Hayes owns and operates the James Hayes Art Glass Company in Pine Bluff. After receiving an art degree in 1988 from Hendrix College in Conway he discovered glassblowing and has further studied the art in Murano, Italy, and the Pilchuck Glass School near Seattle. His work has appeared in Southern Living magazine and on the Christmas tree at the White House.
The Never Lose Spirit program is sponsored by Vincent M. Insalaco and Judy Kohn Tenenbaum in memory of Sally Riggs Insalaco and Muriel Balsam Kohn.
UAMS is the state’s only comprehensive academic health center, with colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Health Related Professions and Public Health; a graduate school; a hospital; a statewide network of regional centers; and seven institutes: the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, the Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute, the Myeloma Institute for Research and Therapy, the Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute, the Psychiatric Research Institute, the Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging and the Translational Research Institute. Named best Little Rock metropolitan area hospital by U.S. News & World Report, it is the only adult Level 1 trauma center in the state. UAMS has more than 2,800 students and 775 medical residents. It is the state’s largest public employer with more than 10,000 employees, including nearly 1,150 physicians who provide medical care to patients at UAMS, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, the VA Medical Center and UAMS’ Area Health Education Centers throughout the state. Visit www.uams.edu or uamshealth.com.