AFH and Mass General Cancer Center Collaborate for Public Good
In late 2021, the Mass General Cancer Center approached us to create an animation that demonstrates how to do the ‘deep inspiration breath hold technique’ during radiation therapy for breast cancer, as part of Mass General Brigham's United Against Racism specialty care project. The animated video explains the importance of the breathing technique and visually demonstrates the path of radiation so patients, regardless of their primary language, could prepare themselves for the scan.
Sarah Elizabeth Wiley, Communications and Project Manager in Radiation Oncology at the Mass General Cancer Center, chose AFH for this important project.
Sarah Elizabeth Wiley, Communications and Project Manager in Radiation Oncology at the Mass General Cancer Center, chose AFH for this important project.
"We chose Artists For Humanity because they seemed like the perfect fit due to their experience with the animation and their equity efforts. So it was a great way to contribute to the community beyond just the project we were creating."
—Sarah Elizabeth Wiley, Mass General Cancer Center
Impact
In 2022 we completed the animation and signed on to a second commission to animate bladder and bowel preparation for prostate cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy, with the possibility of a third commission to follow.
Projects like this are full of impact! For the teens, working on real client jobs and building their artistic skills while earning money reinforces the value they bring to the table. Coupled with the opportunity to learn about the health industry, the diverse challenges patients face and the techniques behind different scanning procedures—it’s priceless.
"Our model here in the Creative Technology Studio," says AFH Animation Director, Trevor Ward, “is to teach teens how to work on high-end animation projects while working on big-name client projects...you learn by doing it."
For Tina Nguyen, then Lead Teen Animator for this project, it was her first large client project, and her first project for the health industry.
"Our model here in the Creative Technology Studio," says AFH Animation Director, Trevor Ward, “is to teach teens how to work on high-end animation projects while working on big-name client projects...you learn by doing it."
For Tina Nguyen, then Lead Teen Animator for this project, it was her first large client project, and her first project for the health industry.
“While working on the animation, it didn't really come to mind that it was a huge deal until afterwards. I was treating each workday as a regular workday, but in the end, I realized how much of a big deal this project was to Mass General Cancer Center and AFH.”
—Tina Nguyen, AFH Teen Animator
Our clients' world views also grow in the process of collaborating toward a creative solution for their business challenge. By hiring AFH, they contribute to economic vitality and thriving local communities—creating
new networks and advancing efforts to build a more equitable world.
The Animation