Child artwork presents hands-on way for young patients to lend hand – By Karen Feldman
The ultimate beneficiaries of the generosity displayed at the SWFL Wine & Food Fest are the thousands of children who receive care each year at Golisano Children’s Hospital. So, it’s especially gratifying to see them play an active role in raising money.
That’s where the Child Artist program comes in. Each year, a young patient creates a work of art under the guidance of an adult art mentor. That work is then auctioned off, with multiple bidders contributing. Traditionally, the work is donated back to the hospital to be displayed along with previous such works for patients, their families and staff to enjoy.
Bensin Gaff is the 2025 Child Artist. He created his painting of a lion with mentoring by Rachel Pierce, a journalist and artist who has a gallery on Sanibel.
Bensin’s mother, Kristin, says, “Bensin had a really great time with the painting. He has talked about it afterwards, saying that he never knew he like painting, but now he wants to take an art elective next year.”
He painted a tiger.
Kristin says, “He said tigers are tough and strong. That’s why he drew it. And I couldn’t agree more with him because they represent the strength he has also shown through this fight.”
Youngster employs heart and mind to overcome brain tumor – By Karen Feldman
Over 48 hours, 11-year-old Bensin Gaff went from making a great play in a baseball game and playing his violin in the school orchestra, to being unable to speak or control his limbs.
Benson was swiftly transported to Golisano Children’s Hospital Emergency Department, where an MRI revealed a large benign, but serious, brain mass – a cavernoma – abnormal tissue that causes blood leakage and can bring on seizures, vision problems, memory loss, headaches and weakness in the limbs.
Neurosurgeon T.J. Spinks, assisted by other members of the Golisano Pediatric Neurosurgery team, performed a craniotomy, removing the abnormal tissue. Despite having to learn to walk again after major brain surgery Bensin was well enough to go home 3 days later.
“One of the blessings was the fact that Golisano brought in the neurosurgery program, and we didn’t have to travel to Tampa,” says Jason Gaff, Bensin’s father.
While not easy for any family, nine of the Gaffs’ 11 children still live at home, meaning treatment in Tampa would have posed a serious hardship for the family. In addition, not having the community support around them would have made the 6 ½-hour surgery unbearable.
“We had family and friends all around us as we waited in the hospital to hear news on how the surgery was going. I can’t imagine having to do that by ourselves in another city far from home,” Jason Gaff says.
The Golisano pediatric neurosurgery program is paid for through funds raised by SWFL Children’s Charities, Inc. Bensin is the featured Child Artist for the 2025 SWFL Wine & Food Festival. Bensin continues treatment at Golisano but was able to attend the Evangelical Christian School orchestra’s spring concert, where he saw his classmates for the first time since the surgery.
“The orchestra wore his favorite color blue and blue ribbons,” says his mother, Kristin Gaff.
After three surgeries, countless medications and occupational therapy sessions, Bensin returned to classes fulltime in October while continuing treatment with Golisano specialists. 
Bensin now shares his own blue bracelets inscribed #BensinsArmy, as well as challenge coins, as ways to share his story with others and a special memento for all who have supported him on his healing journey.
They all belong to Team Bensin.
Watch the 2025 child artist video here
About Rachel Pierce, Child Artist Mentor
Rachel Pierce is a lifelong artist and long-time TV journalist who recently left the anchor desk to focus full-time on her artwork. Based in Sanibel Island, Rachel paints bright, modern original art in oil and acrylic reflecting the natural beauty and abundant wildlife found only in tropical Southwest Florida. Visit Rachel at her gallery on Sanibel Island, Florida and see her art on her website and other shops and galleries around Southwest Florida. www.ByRachelPierce.com
