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Young Cancer Patient's Shirt Art Fits Nurses To A 'T'

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By KEITH MORELLI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 1, 2008

Updated: 08/01/2008 05:34 pm

TAMPA - It started as an expression of thanks today for the pediatrics nurses on the third floor of University Community Hospital.

Before long, though, the reception had turned around, and the 20 or so nurses were expressing their gratitude to 9-year-old cancer patient Draven Warren.

Draven was treated at the hospital last fall for infection from his cancer treatments. To say thanks, he dreamed up a design for the T-shirts the nurses wear as an alternative to their scrubs.

The design depicts two open hands side by side, fingers up, thumbs out. Spanning the hands are five small stick figures holding hands. The stick figure in the middle appears to be a child.

Above the drawing it says "University Community Hospital"; under it are the words "Holding Us All Together."

Draven's name is below that, and "Age 9."

His mom, Stephanie Dryer, said, "He came up with the design while he was bedridden."

He was taking part in a "design your own T-shirt contest" the nurses sponsored.

The design was so well received, the staff members decided to have it put on T-shirts for themselves, said hospital spokesman Will Darnall.

As a prize, Draven, who will start fourth grade at Pizzo Elementary School in a couple of weeks, got a $50 gift certificate for Toys 'R' Us, purchased through donations made by the nurses.

Elaine Deval, the head pediatrics nurse, said the contest included all the patients. They ranged from 6 to the mid-teens.

"We thought it would be a nice idea to celebrate all the good work our guys do up here," Deval said. The nurses on the pediatrics floor will be the first to sport the fancy T-shirts.

Draven's design, she said, was the clear winner. "It's fantastic."

Look for more works of art from Draven, and not just feel-good logos, he said.

"I can draw a scary dude, too."

Reporter Keith Morelli can be reached at (813) 259-7760 or kmorelli@tampatrib.com.

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