A Brush With Cancer becoming Metamorphosis
When Jenna Benn Shersher was diagnosed with Grey Zone Lymphoma at the age of 29, she was not sure if she would live to see another birthday. As a young adult facing a rare type of cancer, she started writing about her journey in a brutally honest and vulnerable way in hopes to connect with others also undergoing similar experiences. Midway through treatment, Jenna put out a call to action asking for people to join her on the virtual dance floor doing Chubby Checker’s dance, ‘The Twist.’ Within a few days, thousands of people submitted videos of themselves ‘twisting out cancer.’
Jenna was determined to give back to the community that kept her afloat during her treatment. Twist Out Cancer was born: a space for individuals touched by cancer to share, connect, and heal together. Over 200,000 people have participated in Twist Out Cancer’s community-wide programs that use creative arts as a way of healing, including Brushes With Cancer. This program pairs cancer previvors, survivors, and caregivers with artists to help share their stories. A Brush With Cancer highlights these stories of hope, perseverance, and resilience that took place over the last ten years.
In 2022, I was honored to be chosen as an inspiration and paired with an amazing photographer, Michelle Kellner from Northbrook, IL. Michelle and I first met in the summer of 2022. We talked about life, my story and her experience photographing a previvor and survivor for past Brushes with Cancer programs. She came to my house and photographed my daughter who ran around in her Elsa dress most of the shoot! Michelle has become an inspiration and mentor to me over the past year. I am grateful to have her in my life and I will forever remember the time we shared together exploring my story through her creativity!
Check out the art that was created for me, shared at the Brushes with Cancer 2022 event and later purchased so that I could enjoy it in my home: https://twistoutcancer.org/art/laurenloprioreandmichelekellner/
After 10 years and more than three dozen Brushes with Cancer programs, we continue to see evidence that the experience is impactful for both Artists and Inspirations. Connections over the past decade continue to be strong and our Brushes with Cancer program offers healing for anyone touched by cancer. Explore the connections made by Artists and Inspirations in 2022 in the Brushes with Cancer Impact Brochure 2022.