Morning Business
Mr. President, Marcelle and I have been involved with a wonderful charity for more than 20 years, with Marcelle on its board for over a decade. Tracy's Kids helps children with cancer or blood disorders cope with the emotional toll imposed…
Mr. President, Marcelle and I have been involved with a wonderful charity for more than 20 years, with Marcelle on its board for over a decade. Tracy's Kids helps children with cancer or blood disorders cope with the emotional toll imposed by their disease and its treatment. Tracy Councill, the heart and soul of that program and a woman who has made a difference in the lives of tens of thousands of patients, siblings, and parents, is retiring after 31 years.
The following announcement by Matt Gerson, founder and president of Tracy's Kids, underscores the positive impact that she has made over the course of her career: ``Big News--Tracy is retiring from Georgetown after 31 years. Her service has been indispensable for the patients, siblings, and parents she helped guide through their darkest times. Her announcement is eliciting expressions of gratitude from the medical professionals with whom she served, and throughout the Art Therapy community she influenced.
``I recognized a long time ago that Tracy was put on this earth to do what she does. Because of the model that she developed at Georgetown, Tracy's Kids has fundamentally changed the standard of care for pediatric oncology in the region--and beyond. Her patience, compassion, commitment, and professionalism--along with that accent--have been invaluable to thousands of children and families.
``Tracy is as heroic to her admirers as better-known GOATs. Our Giant Of Art Therapy has trained and inspired generations of students who aspire to be as impactful. Grateful parents know that they could not have confronted the exhausting chapter of their lives without her. Part of her legacy will be paid forward by former patients who are now Art Therapists themselves--as well as the ones pursuing careers in art disciplines from jewelry making to film.
``She will still serve as the Tracy's Kids Program Director, and continue to teach, lecture, and publish on how to help kids and families develop strategies for coping with scary procedures, communicate with doctors and nurses, and express the fears that might lead to nightmares and social isolation.
``I knew nothing of Art Therapy when we met 25 years ago. If anything, I was a bit skeptical. But because of her, when you walk into a clinic served by Tracy's Kids you will likely see children with infusions in their arms, crayons in their hands and smiles on their faces. She has created environments where kids can just be kids--not `sick kids.' And because they feel so comfortable, patients and their siblings actually look forward to going to the clinic--a sentiment we hear over and over and find hard to believe each and every time.
``Please join me in wishing Tracy and Don the very best in their retirement and much success and enjoyment in the endeavors that lie ahead.''
Marcelle and I appreciate all she has done and also send Tracy and Don our best wishes.