A cancer survivor decided to commission a painting representing her experience with the illness and to encourage patients who are undergoing treatment.
The painting, done by artist Jesmond Vassallo, was officially inaugurated this morning at the Oncology Centre at Mater Dei.
Rose Grima was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had to undergo five months of chemo therapy and a major operation, which was successful.
Rose and her husband are farmers who live in Wardija. That is how she was inspired to have a painting representing an old olive tree that, just like cancer patients, had to survive through periods of ordeal.
"This tree shown in the painting, sits in our field in Wardija," she told those present while explaining the meaning behind the art.
"It inspired me to commission this painting. That is a 2,000-year-old olive tree and I wondered how it managed to find against the elements throughout all of these years."
Although quite simplistic in style, the painting features trees that are almost in total darkness and others that are lit up by sunrise. Mrs Grima explained that the darker parts of the painting represent the moment when doctors discovered she had cancer. The lighter parts represent hope, which she hopes can be transmitted to other patients at the Oncology Centre.
Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Mr Chris Fearne said that Rose Grima's story should represent hope to patients at the centre.
"It has been six months since we opened this centre and the transition has been very smooth. I am very happy to see that both the staff and patients have made this centre feel like a home," he said.
He mentioned how in the next couple of years, the government will use its resources for the embellishment of Mount Carmel Hospital.
"We have made huge leaps forward in the health sector, from St Lukes to Mater Dei and from Sir Paul Boffa hospital to the Oncology Centre at Mater Dei. But we need to make the same progress when it comes to mental health."
Small paintings on the corridors of the oncology centre were also put up for sale. The money will be donated to the Malta Hospice Movement and Malta Community Chest Fund.
Photos: Jonathan Borg