Over the last 13 years, Twist Out Cancer has positively impacted more than 267,000 people people. This includes 1,574 people who participated in our Brushes with Cancer program as an Inspiration or Artist. As a result, there are now 787 unique pieces of art in the world representing 787 individual journeys with cancer. Hear directly from some of our Inspirations and Artists on how the Inspiration shared their story, connected with an artist, which led to a healing moment when the Inspiration saw their art piece for the first time. More information is available at www.twistoutcancer.org
Inspiration Jorge Ginzo and Artist Oscar Montoya are part of the Brushes with Cancer program at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami. Jorge is a survivor of Colon cancer and in this episode, Jorge and Oscar share the unexpected similarities in their personal stories and how they continually advocate for early testing among men.
Inspiration Merton Briggs - from Newark, Delaware - shares his story as a Multiple Myeloma survivor and how he responded when he was only given a few months to live. As part of the Brushes With Cancer program, he was matched with artist Matthew Eckerle, who is from Fort Thomas, Kentucky. Their connection started on a zoom call, which led to a true admiration for one another and a life-long friendship. You can view the art piece that Matt created for Merton here: https://www.twistoutcancer.org/ar...
In this episode, Inspiration Michelle Hobart shares her story as a breast cancer survivor and how she kept her diagnosis a secret to start, and then shared it with family and friends. As part of the Brushes With Cancer program, she was matched with artist Angela Scalisi. Their connection started on a zoom call, which led to a five hour walk together, and an everlasting friendship. You can view the painting that Angela created for Michelle here: https://www.twistoutcancer.org/art/michelle-hobart-...
Crystal Bichalski and Joelle Bilow connected through astrology for the last three years. Crystal is a globally recognized predictive astrologist and astrotherapist based in Montclair, New Jersey. When Crystal was diagnosed with stage 2 ovarian cancer, Joelle immediately thought that she would benefit from participating in Brushes with Cancer. Joelle has participated as a Brushes with Cancer artist 6 times and has served on the Twist Out Cancer board for the last 7 years. Their connection has onl...
Inspiration Bond Courtney, who lives in Atlanta, connected with Artist Rosa Henriquez in Miami as part of the Winter 2025 Brushes With Cancer program. Over the last six months these strangers have become dear friends who were able to open up to one another in new and meaningful ways. Rosa was able to take these stories to create a unique piece of art that represents Bond's personal journey with cancer. You can view the painting that Rosa made for Bond here: https://www.twistoutcancer.org/art/bon...
Inspiration Anita Tulsiani and Artist Theresa Bond Zelazny - both of whom live in Austin, Texas, had an immediate connection. Anita's ever positive attitude and vibrant outlook have continued to inspire Theresa throughout the collaborative process. More information is available at: https://twistoutcancer.org/brushes/midwest2023/
Inspiration Kelli Kim-Eng and Artist Kenny Lapins have so much more in common than anyone might guess. From their odd discoveries of their own cancer diagnoses, to the way the Brushes with Cancer program has brought them back to their own artistic endeavors, these two continue to connect in many unique ways. More information about the 2023 Brushes With Cancer Midwest Art Exhibition & Celebration is available at: https://twistoutcancer.org/brushes/midwest2023/...
Caileigh and Gabrielle forged an intimate collaboration across an ocean and several time zones. Through their Brushes With Cancer experience, these two very creative people have grown to influence and inspire each other daily. More information about the 2023 Brushes With Cancer Midwest Art Exhibition & Celebration is available at: https://twistoutcancer.org/brushes/midwest2023/
When Maggie and her inspiration Rachel first met, they immediately bonded over curly hair, spirituality and a love of their home state of Texas! As their connection deepened and their collaboration grew, Maggie's piece culminated in a full expression of not just what Rachel went through, but who she is. More information about the 2023 Brushes With Cancer Midwest Art Exhibition & Celebration is available at: https://twistoutcancer.org/brushes/midwest2023/...
Inspiration Wendy Santana and Artist Naimah Thomas have forged an unexpected friendship through this creative process. Not only has this partnership resulted in a piece of art that has meaning for both women, but they have come to be huge supporters of each other through life's ups and downs over the past several months as well. This is a really unique story as when they got to know each, Naimah had her own personal experience with cancer. More information about the 2023 Brushes With Cancer Midw...
After losing her fiancé David to bone cancer in October 2020, Donna found being a part of the Twist Out Cancer community to be tremendously helpful in navigating her grief. Suhani, in first learning and then seeking to tell Donna's story on canvas, shares how Donna's openness and generosity has inspired her not only artistically but in much more fundamental ways as well. More information is available at: https://twistoutcancer.org/brushes/midwest2023/...
Rebecca Leder is the author of the book, The Knock Method . In her book, Rebecca features Twist Out Cancer founder and CEO Jenna Benn Shersher. In this episode, Rebecca talks about the example Jenna and her organization set for how we can establish human connection even in moments of isolation.
Artist Giorgia Lupi, from Pentagram Design, and Daniel Mancini and Inti Valez Bolero, from Wanda Barcelona, reflect on their art installations "Brushes With Cancer" and "Woven Wonders" which they designed in collaboration with Twist Out Cancer. They discuss how they got involved with the organization, the work that they created together, and what they will be taking from the experience. Both exhibits were on view at the WNDR Museum in Chicago in October and November 2022. The “Brushes with Cance...
Mardi and Anna, whose connections to Twist Out Cancer and to each other reach far beyond a single collaboration, share how they found support and inspiration in each other through their partnership. See the painting that Anna made for Mardi here: https://twistoutcancer.org/art/mardi-kaplan-anna-feneis/
Through their open and honest conversations, Inspiration Holli Davidove and Artist Bari Fleischer have formed a deep friendship. They inspire and support each other beyond the work of art that they are collaborating on.
Joni faced down cancer twice. Each time arming herself with a smile and some glitter. Brushes With Cancer brought Nancy into her life and together they developed a lovely piece of art and a beautiful friendship. See the beautiful painting that Nancy made for Joni here: https://twistoutcancer.org/art/joni-goldstein-nancy-rosen/
August and Brad discuss their unique partnership, which began when they were paired together for Brushes With Cancer and has grown into something nobody could've predicted.
Artist Kate Van Doren and her Inspiration, Mary Jenkins, talk about their path together — building a relationship, telling Mary’s story through art, and what they continue to carry with them from their experience together.
Talaya's cancer journey changed everything in her life. As an Inspiration, she allowed herself to reevaluate her life and help others live in the present. Those choices have inspired artist Bettina Reiser in more ways than one. Listen to this podcast to learn more about the connection between Talaya and Bettina.
Inspiration Brittany Long and Artist Chris Geier had an immediate connection that has only deepened during this collaboration. Brittany's openness and willingness to share not only her stories, but her journal entries from her time during treatment, has been matched by Chris's commitment to the project and interest in reading Brittany's entire journal archive.
Art therapists Callie Cullinan and Jackie Carmody discuss their involvement with Twist Out Cancer and the Twistshop program, the impact of the program, and their hopes for the future of Twist out Cancer.
As an 11 year cancer survivor, Maria Kouns says what stands out the most from her cancer journey are the moments of kindness and connection she experienced with the people in her life. From her family to her students, her memories from that time are far more positive than painful. The Brushes With Cancer collaboration with Artist Xia Laniel has continued in that tradition of forming connection amid such a disruptive event.
Artist Kara Thomas and her inspiration, Diona Brzezinski, talk about their experience in the Brushes with Cancer program, including the beautiful piece of art that resulted from it, and how their participation helped them both to grow and heal. See the art piece that came from their collaboration here: https://twistoutcancer.org/art/diona-brzezinski-and-kara-thomas/
This collaboration brought a cross generational connection that both the artist and inspiration found to be profound. The fact that Jemma is sharing her story with Peri, who is not only the same age as Jemma's son but also the exact age Jemma was when she was first diagnosed with cancer, has had a special resonance with both of them.
Mahwish and Sheryl have so many similarities, it seems they were destined to meet. These two natural storytellers share a love of ancient cultures, genuine connection and a fascination with the divine feminine. A willingness to lean in to deep conversations and a bravery to be vulnerable and fully share their truth has brought these two women together in a strong connection that will no doubt result in powerful work of art!
Jenna had the idea for Twist Out Cancer in the middle of her own journey with cancer. While in treatment she had a vision for an organization that would focus on anyone touched by cancer. She created a place where families touched by cancer could find connection and emotional support, not just treatment for the cancer itself. Ten years later, she's done that and so much more!
In this conversation, we get a unique glimpse at the inner workings of Twist Out Cancer's Brushes with Cancer program. As returning participants, Kenny Lapins and Kristin Wenc give us some insights into what compels people to participate, sometimes even in different capacities, year after year!
In this special glimpse at the early stages of the creation process, Artist Rebecca Roin and Inspiration Marie Wynn let us into the way a painting begins to form. Marie is one year beyond Remission and still has access to a lot of the difficult and surprising emotions that often come from living with cancer. As a previous Twist Out Cancer artist, Rebecca is insightful and the perfect person to accompany Marie in this creative process.
Artist Tracie Strange talks about her experience in the 2022 Southern Brushes With Cancer program. She discusses the strong connection she felt with her Inspiration, Lindsay Kimmel, who inspired her art piece, “Transcendence." Tracie learned so much from her experience, and listen in to find out more! You can view “Transcendence" here: https://twistoutcancer.org/art/lindsay-kimmel-and-tracie-strange/
Inspiration Amanda Marion, from Converse, Texas, and Artist Barbara Mason, from Frisco, Texas, discuss what they shared and how they both grew through their Brushes with Cancer experience. View the beautiful art piece, Intertwined, here: https://twistoutcancer.org/art/amanda-marion-and-barbara-j-mason/
