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Justin patient-artist, age 6

Justin patient-artist, age 6 Justin was just two weeks old when he was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia, a disease that only affects about 1,100 American children each year.

During years of intense chemotherapy, Justin and his family began participating in The Paint Box Project. Although he was quite young, Justin's mom, Jennifer, knew that he would benefit from the program.

"It's a great chance for kids to socialize," said Jennifer. "Often, they become so isolated during treatment. The parents also benefit—I've met some of my best friends at art parties."

Now, four years out of treatment, Justin teamed up with his sister, Molly (shown with him in photo to left), to create this year's "Northern Lights" holiday card. Justin, the eternal jokester, of course colored in his reindeer with a clever tie-dyed design, while Molly chose the more traditional brown coloring.

Justin has high hopes of bringing joy to other kids some day: he wants to be an ice cream man when he grows up.