C O N N E C T I N G
B I S M A R C K
C A N C E R
Hope Help Healing
C E N T E R
Online Art Auctions Raise Money OUR MISSION The mission of the Bismarck Cancer Center is to make locally available the highest quality, stateof-the-art radiation therapy services to persons with cancer within the Bismarck service area. Such services shall be delivered, insofar as possible, without regard to reimbursement, and always in a supportive compassionate, and caring manner.
Summer 2016
for Bismarck Cancer Center Foundation A blank canvas, a clean brush, and a colorful array of paints—these are the tools that cancer survivors use to explore their creativity and promote healing during the Bismarck Cancer Center Foundation’s (BCCF) healing art classes. During the “Create for a Cause” class, led by Gail Heil, survivors explore the process of creating art as an expressive type of therapy that improves their physical, mental, and emotional health. Afterwards, their pieces are sold in order to raise money for the Foundation and help other patients along their cancer journeys. This summer, 13 different art pieces from the “Create for a Cause” group will be included in two different online auction events. The first auction includes six unique paintings and begins on July 15 at 8 a.m. and closes on July 31 at 8 p.m. It is located at www.32auctions.com/artauctionbccf. The second art auction opens on September 16 at 8 a.m. and ends at 8 p.m. on September 30; it features seven different art pieces and can be accessed at www.32auctions.com/artauctionbccf2.
AUCTION DATES July 15-31 Sept. 16-30 www.32auctions.com/ artauctionbccf
The auction items include group artwork, containing a piece of everyone’s story, as well as individual paintings, each expressing something important to the survivor who created it. Common themes for the cancer survivors include depictions of strength, growth, courage, and love. During the workshop, the artists are able to express these concepts and tap into their emotions in new and different ways. “It really helps with the healing process because it gets you connected with your spiritual and emotional feelings in a fun and enlightening way,” said Laura Charlesworth, one the survivors who attended the workshop. Art therapy has been known to not only increase self-awareness but also enhance awareness of others, so another important element of the class is the fact that survivors come together and share their experiences. To overcome feelings of isolation and loneliness, they are able to experience the creative process with other survivors, which makes them feel supported and loved. Many of the group art pieces up for auction show how the process has given them insight into their own journey as well as the journeys of others who have battled the same disease. All of the funds raised from the two online auctions will benefit BCCF. This money ensures that the Foundation can continue to provide essential wrap-around services to BCC patients free of charge. The money will help provide patients with holistic care that includes a place to stay while undergoing treatment, gas cards to make traveling easier, nutritional suggestions to keep them healthy, and various outlets for emotional and spiritual support. Ultimately, Heil and her workshop allows the artists to provide hope, help, and healing for themselves and others. The survivors are able to let go of their troubles and focus their creative impulses on creating something beautiful. “I have loved finding my inner creativity. Painting has become one of my favorite things because of this class,” said Stacy Zuern, another survivor-artist from the class. The hope is that by exploring this side of themselves, participants can manage their feelings and reduce stress. Meanwhile, the fundraising aspect of the “Create for a Cause” workshop gives the artists a greater sense of purpose. They are not just creating art for themselves; they are doing it to help make the cancer treatment journey easier for local patients.