Son Donates Artwork Inspired by Mother’s Cancer Journey
If you asked 13-year-old Keland Lamke what he is passionate about, without hesitation, he’d tell you giving back.
Over the last three years, Keland has gotten involved with two organizations that hold a special place in his heart: a local animal rescue because of his love for animals, and Moffitt Cancer Center, where his mom, Kim, received her cancer treatment.
When Kim asked her son what made him want to donate his paintings to Moffitt, he responded: "They saved your life."
Kim, now 50, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at 47. At first, her diagnosis was challenging for her two children to cope with.
“My kids were very scared at first, but then they were able to see that I was fighting with everything I had,” she said.” “I think they also felt confident with where I was getting my treatment done at Moffitt.”
As a creative and artistic teenager, Keland decided to create artwork, with the hope of selling the pieces and donating the funds to Moffitt. While Kim was undergoing treatment, Keland started creating art pieces using a technique called pour painting. Pour painting is a type of painting technique in which acrylic paint is poured onto a canvas.
For three years in a row, his paintings have been auctioned off at Moffitt’s signature gala event, the Magnolia Ball. Each year, the event raises funds to support cancer research and innovations.
After chemotherapy and a hysterectomy, which was then followed by maintenance therapies, Kim is now cancer free. Although his mom is now on the other side of her cancer journey, Keland plans to continue giving back and creating hope for others.
“His art pieces show hope that generations to come will continue helping those of us who have to fight this battle,” Kim said.
