The Cellfie Project
How a patient-centred initiative is helping MLPs shine
MLT Scott Richard doing a lab tour for Calum and Lauchlin MacDonald. | PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY OF DR. VALERIA BOURQUE RIEL
In 2022, a leukemia patient asked his hematologist at IWK Health in Halifax, Nova Scotia, if he could see his own cells. In response, Dr. David Conrad, head of the division of hematopathology, created a slide presentation using the patient’s diagnostic material. This presentation explained what leukemia is, the role of blood cells, and how treatment works. The visit also included a tour of the laboratory, a lab coat, and a crocheted representation of a white blood cell. Word quickly spread about this initiative, and nearly 40 children have since participated in what has been named the Cellfie Project. The project was developed collaboratively with Conrad’s colleagues in the division of pediatric hematology/oncology at IWK Health, whose collaboration helped shape its vision and encouraged patient referrals. Alongside them, medical laboratory professionals have been key partners in helping patients understand their diagnoses by making visible and comprehensible what can be a stressful and impactful moment for children and their families. Conrad says the initiative has succeeded in giving patients some sense of agency and in helping them understand what’s happening inside their bodies. “We felt that bringing patients back to the laboratory after treatment had started and when they were clinically stable, provided a safer and more effective environment for learning and asking questions. The project helps demystify laboratory testing and reinforces the rationale behind treatments,” affirms Conrad. Born out of curiosity and compassion, the project has developed organically by putting patient and family education at the core of every visit. It has also received heartwarming results on social media, where Conrad has reached out to the community for help with the “crocheted stuffies,” an idea suggested by Kimberly Ingalls, MLT for Central Zone at Nova Scotia Health (NSH) and CSMLS member, who crocheted her first white blood cell (WBC) after she was told a leukemia patient was visiting the lab to see that their cancer cells were gone. “Being able to visualize that you are now cancer-free gives the patient and family a different peace of mind. I decided that I could crochet a WBC for them. It turned out the crocheted cells were a hit, and [Conrad] asked for more,” adds Ingalls. Laboratory tours are not unusual at IWK, but having children attend them definitely is. Scott Richard, Senior MLT at the hematology department and CSMLS member, says the difficult part is making the science understandable to a small child or a teenager. “It’s always fun and validating to see the looks of amazement at how much is happening behind the scenes when children and adults finish a tour of the laboratory when they have no prior knowledge of what is going on behind the scenes,” says Richard. Amy Power, MLT and Lab Manager at IWK, agrees. For her, it has been rewarding to meet patients and their families and to show them the laboratory side of their care journey. “Being able to answer their questions and see their curiosity firsthand really reinforces the impact of the work we do every day. It creates a strong connection to patient care and serves as an important reminder of why our work matters,” notes Power.
A generic grey cancer cell, a small round blue tumor cell, a white blood cell, a sickled red blood cell, and a normal blood cell. | PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY OF DR. DAVID CONRAD
Amy Power
Scott Richard
Demystifying and building trust in laboratory testing
A secondary but significant outcome of the Cellfie Project has been the increased recognition of medical laboratory professionals. By welcoming children with their families into the lab, the project has helped them understand the value of laboratory testing in the diagnostic process. Richard has no doubt that the lab is intrinsically interesting and that children and young adults will be interested in it too. He’s not afraid to go into more complex subjects like Quality Control (QC) and Quality Assurance (QA). “Once you have their attention, they absorb everything, and I like to take that opportunity to talk briefly and broadly about how we test QC and QA samples that labs all over North America test, and compare the results to make sure we are all getting the same answer and providing accurate information to the patient’s physician. For tests that we do not see often, we will send samples worldwide, from California to Germany, to ensure we obtain the best information. All the while, the parents of these patients are absorbing this, and we are building confidence in the information we provide,” explains Richard. Conrad believes the laboratory is often perceived as a “black box,” but making the laboratory visible to patients can have the consequence of bringing more trust and transparency to a process that is often misunderstood.
GRAPHIC: COURTESY OF DR. DAVID CONRAD
Making the laboratory visible
The Cellfie Project also highlights the interactions between medical lab professionals and patients. Watching their roles through the eyes of children who approach the world with curiosity has been rewarding for the MLTs working on the project. The questions they ask, and their enthusiasm, were a surprise to Power who thinks it is fun to look at the patient’s cells together. Richard seconds this. “We are not just the scary people with the pointy needles when they finally get to look behind the curtain,” he explains. Receiving visits from children with their families in the lab, where samples are tested from their own community, brings a different perspective that amplifies empathy and concern for their welfare. The Cellfie Project offers an example to other health professionals about how they can collaborate with the lab in innovative ways. While Richard and Power both agree that the IWK maintains a strong culture of interprofessional collaboration, they have also observed how lab tours have further strengthened the bonds between the laboratory and clinical care teams. During these visits, team members are often present and they, too, gain a clearer understanding of the work conducted at the lab. “Anytime somebody gets an opportunity to go into the lab and see the complexity and volume of work we deal with daily, they leave with a new respect and understanding for the lab staff that is invaluable,” says Richard.
Jannie, IWK Patient, pictured with Dr. David Conrad. | PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY OF THE IWK FOUNDATION
Advocacy for the profession
Helping patients gain trust and confidence in laboratory results has created a sense of purpose and pride in everyone working on the project. Richard and Power believe that seeing the impact of their work on patients’ well-being reminds them of the critical role they play, which can often be overlooked in the routine of their daily tasks. “It is very fun to geek out a little bit and remember that lab work is interesting and at times awe-inspiring,” adds Richard. Conrad believes that projects like this have the potential to contribute to professional satisfaction, which in turn may contribute to job retention. He argues that such projects can serve as a recruitment strategy by showcasing the profession as a meaningful and patient-connected career. “I have spoken about the Cellfie Project to MLT students, and these conversations have highlighted how challenging it can be early in training to appreciate the clinical significance of laboratory work. Hearing how patients and families engage with their diagnostic material, and seeing how laboratory results directly shape understanding, treatment, and reassurance has helped students better visualize the real-world impact and value of their future roles as laboratory professionals,” affirms Conrad. The Cellfie Project is mainly funded by the IWK Foundation, which has organized community-based fundraisers to support its growth and expansion. The project now includes patients with solid tumours, sickle cell disease, needle phobia, youth in care and survivorship-focused visits, but remains leukemia-focused. Conrad looks forward to including more diagnoses and integrating the project into routine patient-education pathways, all while maintaining its individualized and patient-centred roots. For other organizations looking to increase patient contact, Conrad suggests strong collaboration between clinicians and lab staff, clear communication and flexibility. He believes initiatives like the Cellfie Project work best when they are born in response to patient needs and encourages professionals to start small and let the project evolve organically. “Institutional support is helpful, but genuine curiosity and compassion are the most important ingredients,” adds Conrad. The Cellfie Project serves as a prime example of how collaborative efforts that prioritize patient care and compassion throughout the diagnostic process can naturally highlight the contributions of medical laboratory professionals. This project not only enhances pride within the profession but also acts as a catalyst for initiatives focused on human-centred care.
Juliana Pico Rodriguez, MA
CSMLS Communications Associate
Juliana Pico Rodriguez, MA
CSMLS Communications Associate