Small Rocks, Big Impact: Students Paint Messages of Hope for Patients with Cancer

Every year, Becky Gall-Piorek coordinates a community service project at Assumption Catholic School in Fairfield. For years she’s helped her sixth-grade students raise funds for cancer research.

Last fall, however, the class project became a personal one for the teacher.

In June 2024, Gall-Piorek had pain in her side and thought it might be a urinary tract infection or a hernia. A visit to her gynecologist prompted an ultrasound – where a mass was discovered and Gall-Piorek was diagnosed with Stage 1 uterine cancer and Stage 1C2 ovarian cancer.  She was immediately referred to Katyayani Papatla, MD, a gynecologic oncologist at Yale New Haven Health. Dr. Papatla, who is also an assistant professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at Yale School of Medicine, cares for patients as part of the Gynecologic Oncology Program at Smilow Cancer Hospital in New Haven, Greenwich and Stamford.

On July 17, 2024, Gall-Piorek had a complete hysterectomy with removal of her omentum and 10 lymph nodes. She took medical leave for the 2024-25 school year and underwent six rounds of chemotherapy.  The treatment regimen was physically and emotionally exhausting, but the outcome is a positive one.

“I’m currently on maintenance but no medication, and I did not need radiation,” she said. “I still and will always get regular checkups, bloodwork and scans, but my prognosis is good.”

When she returned to the classroom last fall, the community service project was on her mind. While undergoing treatment, she had spent time in Smilow’s Healing Garden. The garden, located on the seventh floor, includes a selection of hand-painted rocks with messages of encouragement and kindness for patients and families.  Gall-Piorek spotted a rock with the words “Keep going,” a message that resonated with her. She kept the rock and has carried it with her throughout her cancer journey – which sparked the idea for a student project. 

“The students loved the idea of painting rocks, especially knowing that patients might take one and it might inspire and help them —as it did for me,” she said. “They really took this project seriously and thought about the things they would write on the rocks.”

Gall-Piorek also invited Ruth Ann Ornstein, manager of the Peter E. Schwartz Discovery to Cure program at Yale School of Medicine, to visit the class, talk about ovarian cancer and treatments, Smilow and the healing garden, and answer questions. It was a powerful learning experience. “My students walked away with the knowledge that cancer isn’t an automatic death sentence – that many people survive it. Which made them feel better about family members and loved ones who may also be on their own cancer journeys,” Gall-Piorek said, adding, “They also learned that if you or anyone you know doesn't feel right, go to the doctor and get checked out!”

On June 9, Gall-Piorek arranged a special end-of-year field trip for her students to Smilow, where they were invited to place their hand-painted rocks into the healing garden. They were eager to share their messages of hope and encouragement.

“We wanted patients to know that there are people who are thinking about them and rooting for them,” said Annabella.

“My message – Be brave — is meant to give patients courage and motivation to keep fighting,” said Mateo. “This project meant a lot to me because my grandfather is battling cancer. I hope my rock will make someone smile when they see it.”

Added Elley, “This opened our minds and hearts and put us in their shoes – to feel a little what it must be like to have cancer and be afraid. There’s not a lot you can do as a sixth-grader. If we can give patients strength and help them feel that they aren’t alone, that’s a good thing.”

For a teacher, seeing students experience those moments of introspection is meaningful, said Gall-Piorek. “As a cancer survivor, I know how much small acts of kindness matter. During my own journey, I was encouraged by people I’ve never met through painted rocks just like these,” she said. “I’m thrilled that my students had the opportunity to make a difference for others, and to see the impact of their compassion. Now they feel important – because what they’ve done is important.”

For Gall-Piorek, being able to give back to Smilow Cancer Hospital was important to her as well. “My care at Smilow was the best I could have hoped for. Everyone I met—from the front desk and registration staff to my doctors, nurses, and even the cafeteria workers—made me feel seen, valued, and cared for. While I never would have chosen this experience, I am deeply grateful that when I put my life in their hands, they cared for it as if it truly mattered—because it did. It’s an honor to contribute to this beautiful healing garden.”

Learn more about the rocks project and how to donate rocks to the Healing Garden