Berwick Lodge Primary School Prep students Shinae and Ella are supporting fellow classmate Sarah Powh as she battles through cancer treatment.
By Kelly Yates
PREP students at a Berwick school are celebrating after winning an award in the 2009 Cancer Council Arts Awards.
The Berwick Lodge Primary School students have been following fellow classmate Sarah Powh every step of the way as she battled through cancer treatment, even wearing beanies and hats to school when she lost her hair.
The winning art piece, whichis a collage of colourful butterflies, was inspired by the six-year-old, who was diagnosed with cancer in January this year.
Her mother Rebecca Powh told the News doctors found a tumour on her left kidney the size of a football.
“It was pretty traumatic and a big shock to the system,” she said.
“It was like our family was hit by a freight train.”
Doctors removed Sarah’s left kidney six week ago, saying they were hopeful the surgery was a success.
With regular chemotherapytreatment, Sarah was able to start school in February. “She goes to school when she can. Some days she only goes for a couple of hours as a result of the side-effects of chemotherapy,” she said.
Art teacher Jo Zammit said the theme of the artwork was ‘embrace’, with the aim to represent Sarah’s recovery.
“As teachers we spoke to the children about Sarah being like a butterfly, beginning as a cocoon all bundled up receiving her chemotherapy treatment, and then breaking out, when the treatment is complete, into a beautiful butterfly,” she said. Mrs Powh said Sarah’s treatment had nearly come to an end.
“She’s looking forward to it. It’s shown her that she can get through anything,” she said.
Mrs Powh said she felt touched that the artwork was inspired by her daughter.
“It’s very special for her as she can look back on it all in years to come.”
The school will be recognised with winning the most outstanding entry in children’s art by the Cancer Council of Victoria in July.
