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Healing Art Creative collaborations provide solace and strength for those touched by cancer. BY JENNY MUSLIN
G
LENCOE NATIVE JENNA Benn
Shersher was just 29 years old when she was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called gray zone lymphoma. Upon completing treatment, Benn Shersher wanted to help others affected by cancer and founded Twist Out Cancer, an international nonprofit charitable organization that provides psychosocial support to cancer survivors and their loved ones through creative arts programming. An offshoot of Twist Out Cancer, Brushes with Cancer is a program that pairs those impacted by cancer (survivors, previvors and caregivers) with an artist who in turn creates a piece of artwork representing their journey. After connecting in person, by phone or through email, each artist creates a one-of-akind piece of art that represents the subject’s experience. The process spans between four and six months so the artist can truly get to know the individual’s full story. The process culminates in a signature celebratory art exhibition, gala and auction where the artwork is revealed for the first time. The Chicago gala date will be announced later this year. Breast cancer survivor Grace Lombardo found that being involved in Brushes with Cancer as an “inspiration” allowed her to tell her story and see it reflected back through someone else’s eyes. “This outside perspective has been able to validate my feelings as they relate to my cancer odyssey,” she says. “The sadness is real, the pain is real, but the healing, both physical and emotional, is also real.” “As an artist, it’s incredible to bring someone’s experience with cancer to life though a piece of art,” says artist Artist Daniela Dr. David Turok. “The Herling’s portrait of process is therapeubreast cancer survivor, Laura Alexander tic—for a survivor to put
38 SPR I N G 2019 M A K E IT B E T T E R