Peanuts Worldwide, Netcare Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital and the Foundation for Hospital Art brings Snoopy joy to patients with new Peanuts-themed mural
October 19, 2020
Henco Kruger, a patient at Netcare Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital, shows off the six-panel mural. Paediatric patients and hospital staff members collaborated to paint the mural, which features a brightly coloured image of Snoopy and Woodstock.
Mural at hospital is one in a series provided to 70 hospitals around the world via the ‘Take Care with Peanuts’ initiative’
Patients, staff and visitors to Netcare Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital’s
paediatric unit will now be greeted by a familiar friendly (and fuzzy) face—Snoopy!—thanks to a new mural that made its debut on Friday, 16 October.
The mural is a permanent gift to the hospital, thanks to a joint effort of Peanuts Worldwide, the Foundation for Hospital Art, and the paediatric patients and staff members who participated in painting it.
Paediatric patients and hospital staff members collaborated on painting the six-panel mural, which features a brightly coloured image of Snoopy and Woodstock enjoying a hearty laugh atop Snoopy’s doghouse.
“We are thrilled and moved to see Charles Schulz’s iconic characters share their irrepressible joy with patients at Netcare Christiaan Barnard Memorial and other hospitals around the world,” said Roz Nowicki, Executive Vice President of Peanuts Worldwide. “At a time when we all need hope and humour, we believe he would be thrilled to know that his work is bringing both to adults and children across the globe.”
“We are grateful and delighted to receive the gift of Snoopy thanks to Peanuts Worldwide and the Foundation for Hospital Art,” said Daniel Matthew, acting general manager at Netcare Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital. “Snoopy represents the best of all of us—imagination, confidence, resilience, and of course, enormous good humour!—and this is exactly what we’d like every person to feel as they walk through our doors. We couldn’t be more pleased.”
The mural at Netcare Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital is one of 70 murals provided at no cost to hospitals on six continents as part of a new “Take Care With Peanuts” Hospital Mural Program initiative that launched on October 1 at One Brooklyn Health at Brookdale Hospital in New York and CHOC Children’s Hospital of Orange County in California, as part of the 70th anniversary of Charles Schulz’s iconic comic strip.
The robust, multi-pronged initiative, whose themes come directly from Schulz’s strips, encourages everyone to “Take Care of Yourself,” “Take Care of Each Other,” and “Take Care of the Earth.” Among the other hospitals participating are Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital in Toronto, Canada; Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades in Paris, France; and National Center for Children’s Health, Beijing Children’s Hospital in Beijing, China.
“Our non-profit initiative is dedicated to making hospital visits a friendlier, more hope-filled experience for patients through the power of art – and who can do that more effectively than Peanuts?” said Scott Feight, Executive Director, Foundation for Hospital Art. “Charles Schulz created indelible characters who bring joy to all who see them, which is why Peanuts is such a perfectly aligned partner for the Foundation for Hospital Art.”
Dr Beelke D'hondt, a paediatric surgeon who practises at Netcare Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital, assists Lesedi Mogotlhe with the mural.
From treating trauma injuries caused by wildlife, road accidents and sports, to heart attacks, stroke, or the sudden onset of other concerning medical symptoms – the emergency department at Netcare St Anne’s Hospital never sleeps.
As many as one in ten teenagers may self-harm, often in secret, concealing the scars or evidence of their injuries. As Teen Suicide Prevention Week approaches, Netcare Akeso is highlighting the often-hidden struggle of self-harm among young people.
With one in four South Africans affected by cancer, either directly or through a loved one’s diagnosis, the importance of regular screenings cannot be overstated.
This SunSmart Skin Cancer Awareness Month, oncologists Dr Sylvia Rodrigues and Dr Karen Motilall stress the importance of sun protection and regular screening for melanoma in South Africa's sunny climate.
Vitamin D is crucial for maintaining strong bones and a healthy immune system. Dr Jay Narainsamy, an endocrinologist and specialist physician, explains why too much can negatively impact your health.
As the holiday season kicks off, it’s all too easy to get caught up in the festive spirit and overlook potential medical emergencies. Dr Neville Vlok, a specialist emergency medicine physician practising in the emergency department at Netcare Unitas Hospital, highlights four health issues that could disrupt even the most carefully planned holiday celebrations.
Clinical oncologists Dr Sylvia Rodrigues and Dr Karen Motilall have been prescribing radiation treatments for their cancer patients requiring this treatment modality, with the Varian TrueBeam™ 4.0 linear accelerator (linac), for the past year and have seen the equipment’s versatility and advantages for patients.
Internationally renowned South African laparoscopic surgeon Professor Heine van der Walt was recently selected to demonstrate his minimally invasive surgical techniques for two highly complex procedures at the Global Digestive System Congress held in Rome, Italy.
Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among men. In South Africa, it accounts for 13% of male deaths, with over 4,000 diagnoses annually.
A dedicated cardiac ward equipped with state of the art technology is contributing to the expansion of private specialised cardiac care services in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands at Netcare St Anne’s Hospital.
