Twist Out Cancer

In January 2020, Suzanne Zabawsky and Linda Ann Weber sent in their Brushes with Cancer Chicago applications with one request: they be matched together. The two go back to 1979, when they first met in college as freshmen living in the same dormitory. Shortly after she was diagnosed with stage 3.5 pancreatic cancer, Zabawsky reached out to Weber with the difficult news. ... When Weber learned the news, it was two weeks after she applied to be a Brushes with Cancer artist. Weber recognized a unique opportunity for the two to deepen their relationship and help Zabawsky with her healing process. You Don’t Define Me was the piece Weber created as a reflection of Zabawsky’s cancer journey. Read more about this pair: http://bit.ly/3c4mlZO

As of today, the applications to participate in our Brushes with Cancer 2021 and 2022 programs are now available online! We are so excited to get moving with these programs. Northeastern Program: The program will begin at the end of March and the art exhibition and celebratory event will take place on Sunday, October 10, 2021 virtually and with a physical installation in the Northeastern part of the United States. Midwestern Program: The program will begin at the beginning of... April and the art exhibition and celebratory event will place on Saturday, November 13, 2021 virtually and with a physical installation in the Chicagoland area. Southern Program: The program will begin at the beginning of July and the art exhibition and celebratory event will take place on Sunday, March 20, 2022 virtually and with a physical installation in the Southern part of the United States. Please note that these programs are not restricted by geographic location. Inspirations (individuals touched by cancer) and Artists are encouraged to apply to the program that works best with their schedule. Application deadlines: The Northeast and Midwest Program deadline is Feb. 28, 2021. The Southern Program deadline is June 1, 2020. Application to be an artist or an inspiration: http://bit.ly/39RcXWS

For 25 years, Joyce Mallonee battled metastasized breast cancer. She endured countless medications, treatments and surgeries, which often resulted in parts of her body being removed, replaced and altered. Before Joyce passed, she worked with her son, Alex, and eight artists to create nine pieces of work for an exhibition and documentary. After Joyce's passing, Alex honored her beautiful legacy by bringing to light the work they did together. The result is "Deconstruction.... TOMORROW is the opening day of the show! The show opens Jan. 20 and works will be on display through Jan. 24. Alex chose these specific dates to celebrate what would be Joyce's 70th birthday. Registration link: https://bit.ly/38YMRSy

Although the holidays are over, it is never too late to purchase Twist Out gear from our Shopify site. Above is one of our newer items, The Love That Keeps Us Going fanny pack, designed by Elya Stumbaugh and inspired by Ava Blaser. Ava was diagnosed with Kidney cancer when she was three years old, and then again several years later.... The various figures represent Ava dancing through the different stages of her diagnosis, treatment, and remission. Check out Kathleen Brown rocking hers! Use the link below to purchase one: http://bit.ly/38icXQf What would you put in your pack?

Our latest blog features one of our new board members, Sharon Arffa, is now live on our website! Since learning about Twist Out Cancer, Arffa has been quite involved whether it be a Brushes with Cancer artist or serving on the TOC Executive Board. The image above is the work Uplifted Arffa created as a reflection of inspiration, Raychel Berlfein Funk 's breast cancer battle.... For Brushes with Cancer, Arffa was able to pull from her own personal experiences, as well as her training as a psychologist and artist. Brushes with Cancer is remarkable, for me as a healer, to heal in a very different way it was just eye opening, she said. I think, as an artist, depicting something extremely meaningful in an art form is much more amazing than just creating something pretty. To read more: http://bit.ly/3boK3zO

Check out this free national webinar at 1pm EST TOMORROW (1/12) hosted by Sharsheret a partner of ours. Sharsheret is the Jewish Breast & Ovarian Cancer Community. To register: https://bit.ly/2KkKjVn