A 12-year-old girl collects art supplies for UPMC Mercy Burn Center patients

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — A 12-year-old girl who was burned in a house fire when she was 5 is paying back.

Meira Loring just celebrated her bat mitzvah, and one of her projects was collecting art supplies for patients at UPMC’s Mercy Burn Center. At the center, she received care and treatment that went beyond simple medical care.

The hospital has a robust art therapy program that Loring enjoyed when she was a patient there for two months.

“It was mainly to give back to the hospital for everything they’ve done for me and my family,” Loring said.

Her mom, Leah Akner, said: “The child life specialists have been so helpful, both through art therapy and just telling us what’s going to happen. That’s why it was important for us to return.”

The family makes regular visits to UPMC Mercy to express their gratitude. Dr. Jenny Zembicki spoke about how important compassion and creativity can be in human recovery.

“This is a great example of a former patient being able to overcome so much trauma and help others in similar situations,” said the doctor.