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 Midwest Art Exhibition & Celebration is available at:
https://twistoutcancer.org/brushes/midwest2023/

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 Cancer” exhibit from  Pentagram is a work of 278 interwoven brushstrokes, representing the moments or collaborations between Twist Out Cancer’s Inspirations and Artists, as they came together to change each other’s lives.

"Woven Wonders" is a larger-than-life exhibit made by Wanda Barcelona that was handmade by 12 artisans in Barcelona, weaving small strands of paper together to show how we are all interconnected and how, when cancer affects one of us, it affects us all.  There are 500 variations of weaving designs in this piece. 

Learn more about these exhibits here:
https://twistoutcancer.org/blog/twist-out-cancer-celebrates-10-years-of-sharing-connecting-and-healing-with-special-exhibit-and-brushes-with-cancer-gala-at-wndr-museum/

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.