Ashima Sharma and Vedant Dayal, students at Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA, Class of 2025) embarked on a life-changing mission fueled by the Dragon Kim Foundation Fellowship. Together, they created Heart-to-Art, a project designed to provide expressive art therapy to pediatric cancer patients and their families. At the start of their fellowship, Ashima and Vedant received an initial $5,000 to bring Heart-to-Art to life. Now, as the 2024 Dragon Challenge Winners, they have been awarded an additional $5,000 grant, amplifying the reach and impact of their project.

The Inspiration Behind Heart-to-Art

For Ashima, a leukemia survivor, this project is deeply personal. Having faced the illness firsthand, she understands the toll it takes not just on patients but also on their families. Fueled by her own journey and a powerful desire to help others, Ashima and Vedant envisioned Heart-to-Art as a way to provide emotional healing and create moments of joy and connection.
The vision is both simple and profound: healing extends far beyond medicine. Through creative expression and shared experiences with loved ones, patients and families can discover deep connections, hope, strength and resilience together.

For Vedant, this mission became even more meaningful when his aunt was diagnosed with B-cell lymphoma. He witnessed the emotional struggles she and their family faced. That experience solidified his dedication to creating a project that could help families navigate the emotional challenges that come with illness. Together, Ashima and Vedant created Heart-to-Art as a way to offer families a safe, creative outlet to connect, find hope, and heal.

The Dragon Kim Fellowship: A Catalyst for Healing

Through their partnerships with organizations like Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), Children’s Hospital Orange County (CHOC), Sunshine Kids, Sunrise Camps, and Ronald McDonald House Charities, Ashima and Vedant have touched the lives of over 1,400 patients and families. Their work now reaches nearly 7,000 individuals, bringing the healing power of expressive arts to communities far and wide.

The Dragon Kim Fellowship gave Ashima and Vedant the mentoring and resources needed to bring their vision to life. It allowed them to refine their ideas, expand their project, and deepen their understanding of how creativity can strengthen family bonds during some of the toughest times.

Heart-to-Art uniquely emphasizes on expressive therapies – such as art, music, and movement – as powerful tools for managing anxiety, depression, pain, and stress, while promoting rest and healing. These non-pharmacological approaches have been shown to have a clinically significant impact on challenging patient experiences, potentially improving both immediate and long-term outcomes. Through art, families discover a shared language that allows them to express difficult emotions, find joy in creativity, and heal emotionally together. By participating in creative activities, families reconnect in meaningful ways, strengthening their emotional bonds and creating lasting memories, even in the face of pediatric cancer.

Gratitude, Inspiration, and Next Steps

“Our goal has always been to promote healing beyond medicine, to encourage families to create, share, and bond through art,” says Vedant. “Winning the Dragon Kim Fellowship and the Dragon Challenge will open so many doors for us. We’re excited to continue expanding Heart-to-Art and supporting more pediatric patients and their families through the healing power of creativity and connection,” added Ashima.

Ashima and Vedant have high praise and tremendous gratitude for the entire DKF team, especially Daniel Kim and their mentor Susan Heystee. “The story behind the Dragon Kim Foundation is one of immense courage and inspiration – how Daniel Kim’s family transformed tragedy into a beacon of hope for so many,” reflects Ashima. “And to Susan Heystee, our incredible mentor, thank you for your tireless support, guidance, and belief in us. You kept us moving forward, reminding us why this work matters,” added Vedant.

A Powerful Mission of Healing

Ashima and Vedant’s journey with Heart-to-Art is a powerful testament to the healing potential that exists beyond medicine. By creating spaces for families to express themselves, connect, and heal, they are reshaping how we approach emotional well-being in times of crisis. Their work reminds us that in the midst of hardship, expressive arts can be a path toward healing, resilience, and hope. As they continue to expand their impact, Ashima and Vedant are shaping a future where families heal together – one creative experience at a time.