Doctor visits aren’t always fun for young patients with cancer and blood diseases, but those at East Carolina University have something to help them smile thanks to the work and generosity of an academic honor society.

Students of the ECU chapter of Phi Eta Sigma, the national freshmen honor society, donated their time and talent last fall to paint three exam rooms in special themes at the new pediatric hematology/oncology clinic at the Brody School of Medicine at ECU. They also used society funds to provide televisions, video players and toys at the clinic. Altogether, the project cost approximately $4,500.

“When I was given this opportunity to do this service project, I knew what I wanted to do,” said Phi Eta Sigma President Julian Stalls, a 19-year-old sophomore from Williamston who was treated at ECU herself as a pediatric cancer patient. “They stay in these rooms for hours when they are here getting treated, so they need some bright colors.”

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