About Us
Twist Out Cancer provides psychosocial support to cancer survivors and their loved ones through creative arts programming. We are a global community that enables anyone touched by cancer to share, connect, and heal.
Twist Out Cancer was built on the belief that when you share, the world opens up.
“Art is a powerful way to communicate feelings nonverbally.”
At the age of 29, Jenna Benn Shersher was diagnosed with grey zone lymphoma—a rare form of cancer which affects less than 300 people in the United States. Due to her compromised immunity as a result of treatment, Jenna was isolated from the world around her.
Feeling particularly lonely one day, Jenna turned to her identity as a dancer. She queued Chubby Checker’s “The Twist,” hit ‘record’ and did the only move her body could muster: The Twist.
Jenna uploaded the video to YouTube and within a day, she went from feeling alone and desperate for community to seeing thousands of people respond to her video positively, and even creating their own versions of The Twist.
Feeling the embrace of loved ones and strangers, Jenna knew she had to create a community of individuals that could serve as an outlet and a source of support for anyone touched by cancer. And in that moment, Twist Out Cancer was born.
Our community is comprised of survivors, previvors, caregivers and artists who have been touched by cancer.
Survivors are individuals that have heard the three words “you have cancer.” For many, a cancer journey does not start and end with diagnosis and cure. We believe that anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer has survived a life-changing experience.
Previvors are individuals who are genetically predisposed to cancer.
Caregivers are individuals who love and care for an individual diagnosed with cancer or previvor.
Please check out our informational brochure and Annual Report.
Twist Out Cancer Informational Brochure
Twist Out Cancer is a registered (501-c-3) non profit and our community relies on philanthropic support to deliver our transformative programs.
the world opens up”
Jenna Benn Shersher, Founder of Twist Out Cancer