The Plum Blossom Initiative

Plum Blossom Initiative

The Plum Blossom Initiative aims to support hospital patients undergoing cancer treatment while simultaneously raising cancer awareness among younger generations. We hope that by sending handmade letters and craft projects, we will remind patients that they are not alone in their battle. By learning about cancer and helping those who are fighting it, younger students will learn to directly and tangibly contribute to their community.

About Us

In Chinese culture, plum blossoms represent resilience and strength in the face of adversity, the first flowers to bloom after a harsh winter in spite of the snow.

The Plum Blossom Initiative aims to spread that sense of resilience to hospital patients undergoing cancer treatment. We hope to do this through letter writing and craft projects. By sending hand-made letters and craft projects to patients we hope to remind them that they are not alone and give them a sense of comfort and connection.

Connecting young students with cancer patients raises cancer awareness, while also allowing them to practice their writing skills and creative abilities. We work with elementary school students at after school sessions to supervise and help them create cards and arts and crafts for cancer patients at Mount Sinai. Each session includes a mini lesson on a different craft project, from origami to bracelet making.

Crafts & Letters

We give the students a variety of art materials, and let them use their creative abilities to create a variety of different cards. We allow students to pick from many different craft options such as origami, pom-pom art, pop out cards, bracelet making, and painting or drawing with various mediums.
 
easy animal origami
A young girl in a pink shirt engages in crafting activities at a summer camp outdoors.
Colorful abstract acrylic painting with rainbow theme on canvas.
Kids enjoy crafting activities using paper and glue in a creative indoor workshop setting.

Note From Emily Tai, Founder

Plum blossom line drawing

I started this program after my mom passed away in the hospital from cancer. The Plum Blossom Initiative was my way of giving other patients a sense of community support through letters and crafts, reminders they aren’t alone. I hoped that they would find comfort in these reminders through their fight against cancer.