Each year, the MIB Agents Holiday Card Collection is brought to life by the creativity and courage of the young artists and families who share their hearts with our community. This year’s cards carry stories of imagination, comfort, and resilience—art created during treatment, in survivorship, and, for one family, artwork lovingly created by their child before his passing. We asked parents and artists to reflect on what inspired their designs, what art has meant to them throughout their osteosarcoma journey, and what hope they want to offer others. Their words illuminate the meaning behind each card and the impact each artist continues to make.
What inspired your (or your child’s) holiday card artwork?
Lei (Mom to OsteoAngel Jaden): Jaden created the art as part of a 4th grader project led by his art teacher. The candy dispensing globe symbolizes holiday joy and peace. Inside the globe is a little character, representing Jaden himself living happily in our two story house with three front yard trees. The warm sunshine, blue sky and some white clouds make a perfect day. And of course the candies would add additional sweetness to his idea.
Ava (OsteoWarrior): I was inspired to do the polar bear because I love animals and I wanted to make people feel warm and comfortable as they see my card.
Keren (OsteoWarrior): I really like making my own holiday cards so I was glad to be able to use my hobby to help MIB Agents.
Mila (OsteoWarrior): Christmas has always been my favorite holiday. I love this time of year, family, the music and carols, the beautiful lights. One of favorite things I look forward to each year is decorating the tree.
Can you share a bit about your/your child’s relationship with art during treatment or survivorship?
Kristin (Mom to OsteoWarrior Ian): Ian loves to be creative, whether it is sketching, painting, or creating. Creating art would take his mind off his treatment for a little bit. He loved to go to our hospital's "playroom." There was always a project out that he would do or sometimes we would just go in and draw. He hated his IV pole so he would turn it into "Francis" with materials like pom poms and pipe cleaners. He also enjoyed when volunteers would come to his room and create art with him. Ian, his sisters, and his mom would pull all the painting materials at home out and just paint. This was always a fun thing to do together as a family and not think about cancer.
Lei: We know that is what Jaden wanted to do and he is good at drawing. He loves creative arts because he is full of imagination.
Ava: During treatment, I looked forward to the art therapy. It made me have more confidence in myself like I could do anything. When I got home I just wanted to do more to help others.
Jenna (Mom to OsteoWarrior Mila): Mila has always loved art. She finds peace and creativity in creating paintings.
Kelly (Mom to OsteoWarrior Keren): Keren has always turned to art as a source of comfort and distraction since she was first diagnosed in 2018. It has always been there for her, even when she didn’t feel well or had to be isolated from friends. At times, she has even been able to use her art to help raise awareness or funds for pediatric cancer which is a major goal in her life.
.jpg)
What was meaningful about creating a card that helps raise funds to support osteosarcoma patients and research?
Kristin: Ian is so thankful for MIB Agents and wants to give back as much as he can. Whenever he has been asked to create art for the auction or make a holiday card, he would never hesitate and say yes!
Jenna: We have been so blessed with help in our journey and want to give back to others.
Mila: I loved having the opportunity to raise funds and give back to the community who has given me so much.
Is there a message, feeling, or hope you/your child wanted to share with the MIB Agents community through this artwork?
Kristin: We hope that people see that even though people are going through tough times they can create something beautiful.
Lei: I hope people enjoy Jaden's art. I hope people see cancer kids like regular kids, having dreams and being easily pleased. Their resilience needs our nurturing and we should care about their lives as we care about other normal kids. We need to find a cure for them.
Ava: My hope is that anyone who purchases this card finds warmth and comfort in the soft polar bear and cocoa. I also want them to feel good supporting such an amazing and important cause.
Are there any memories or stories connected to this piece of art that you’d like others to know?
Lei: Jaden's neat handwriting is reflected in his signature. He loves the house he called home. Everyone who has cared for him knows Jaden is the famous home guy. He would tell everyone at the hospital and clinics he wanted to go home when they checked on him.
What do you hope people feel when they purchase or send your card?
Kristin: We hope they feel the love that Ian has for Christmas through his art.
Mila: I hope people feel joy and hope when they purchase my artwork, and I hope they feel the joy and spirit of Christmas and all we have to be thankful for.
Keren: When people purchase my cards for the holidays, I hope it brings them a sense of holiday spirit and joy. I remember the years I spent in the hospital around the holidays, and making or seeing art that portrayed happiness always made me happier.
.jpg)
Is there anything else you’d like to share about your/your child’s art or experience with MIB?
Kristin: Ian has fought osteosarcoma twice, and whenever he saw that he got a package, he would light up! We are so thankful for MIB Agents for putting smiles on Ian's face, all the research that has been done on this horrible cancer, and the community it has created. When your child is diagnosed with osteosarcoma, you feel so alone. MIB Agents has made a space where you can connect with others and learn about osteosarcoma. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Lei: Jaden submitted the artwork last year as a warrior; however, just before the card was published, he passed away suddenly from a cold infection. Jaden loves Christmas, almost equally as his birthday, the two best times of the year for him.
Ava: I want to thank MIB for allowing me to create art to help more people like me. Also, thank you for everything you do including having agent writers to bring smiles to kids when they need it most.
Purchase Holiday Cards on our shop
