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Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is an accepted medical treatment for many serious childhood diseases. HSCT is a demanding procedure that creates both physical and emotional challenges for patients and their family members. Research has demonstrated that siblings of children undergoing HSCT are at risk for developing psychosocial problems such as posttraumatic stress, anxiety, and low self-esteem. This study examined psychosocial changes in siblings (N = 30) of pediatric HSCT recipients. These siblings participated in an art therapy intervention session 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after their siblings’ HSCT procedure. Results showed improvements in sibling psychosocial functioning associated with participation in the art therapy interventions. Compared to a control group (n = 10), the intervention group (n = 20) showed lower levels of posttraumatic stress symptoms at the final session.

Fostering an attitude of giving back is a useful exercise to consider within the academic community. There are many curricula that include leadership or philanthropy, but few that provide opportunities for individuals whose academic focus is neither exclusively philanthropy nor leadership. The Buckman Fellowship offers a unique program for innovative, creative, and motivated university faculty, staff, graduate students, and alumni to gain leadership and philanthropic skills needed to implement projects of their own design and powered by their own passion. Housed within a university, the program cultivates emerging philanthropic leaders, with a formal evaluation of stakeholders to refine its objectives and continually improve its outcomes.