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Purple Songs Can Fly

A Good Idea

Description

Purple Songs Can Fly is a music therapy program to aid in the emotional and physical healing process of children being treated for cancer and blood disorders at Texas Children's Hospital. An in-house music studio allows project staff to work with inpatient children to compose and record their own songs which are burned on purple CDs. The program's partnership with NASA and Continental Airlines adds another dimension for the children. The compact discs are brought aboard space shuttle missions and commercial flights and flown to places on earth and into space. The CDs are returned to the children, autographed by astronauts and pilots with all flight information included.

Goal / Mission

The program aims to provide an outlet for inpatient pediatric cancer patients to express their emotions through composing and performing music.

Results / Accomplishments

Over 138 songs have been written and recorded to date. A second site based in Tokyo, Japan is currently under development.

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
Texas Children's Hospital Arts in Medicine Program
Primary Contact
Anita Kruse, Executive Director
4203 Yoakum Boulevard Suite 200
Houston, TX 77006
(832) 824-4104
akruse@purplesongscanfly.org
http://www.purplesongscanfly.org/
Topics
Art & Recreation / Music
Health / Children's Health
Organization(s)
Texas Children's Hospital Arts in Medicine Program
Date of publication
2009
Location
Houston
Target Audience
Children
Kansas Health Matters