We are so grateful to all that participated.

Below is our program book that provides a snapshot into the survivors’ journeys and highlights the artists talent and creativity. You can also find the night captured  by the talented photographer Liesl Diesel.  In the next few days we will be releasing our video from the night- so stay tuned!

Thank you for letting us in to your worlds.

Your Stories Preserved: Brushes Program 

The Night Captured

ART: TOC paired 18 volunteer artists with 18 survivors, challenging the artists to create original works of art inspired by their survivors’ unique “twists” on cancer. The artist-survivor pairs began their relationships on the TOC website, and, working closely over several months through social media and offline, their relationships developed into systems of support both on and off the Internet. The resulting artwork, which comes in a variety of mediums is the centerpiece of Brushes With Cancer. The artwork will be on display and up for auction at Floating World Gallery. Proceeds will go towards furthering Twist Out Cancer’s mission.

MUSIC: California-based Palter Ego and Chicago based Mar Caribe are underscoring the event with their unique tunes and grooves.

STORYTELLING: Celebrity Survivor Ethan Zohn will provide a Keynote address, sharing his story and a few words on the importance of networks of support for survival. Cancer survivors Jenna Benn, Khitam Masoud, and Jonny Imerman will share their twists on cancer and the importance of giving back.

We are nearly sold out so if you plan on attending we encourage you to purchase your ticket asap.

Two years since I heard the words “No Evidence of Disease.”

Two years of seeing the world in hyper-color.

2 years of wiggling my toes, breathing deep, and savoring moments.

I woke up this morning uncertain of how to approach this day. With my 2 year scan scheduled in April, I was hesitant to celebrate my remission birthday without a concrete scientific endorsement.

After some thought and reflection I came to the realization that while the system that I am in has its own predetermined markers and finish lines, it is up to me to determine which dates and moments in time are significant.

The last two years have not only been about cancer but they have been about choice.

The choice to find meaning in suffering, the choice to find hope amongst trauma, and the choice to use my experience as the catalyst for living a life full of profound gratitude.

I may not have chosen the cards that I was dealt, but I had the ability to choose how to respond.

I chose to face cancer in an authentic, open and  honest way- a choice that not only helped me navigate the trauma but has significantly enhanced my life in the here and now.

Perhaps there is a chance that my cancer has returned.

Perhaps there is a chance I will again be betrayed by my body.

And perhaps there is a chance I  will again endure hardship and pain.

These what ifs, these unknowns, these maybe’s-are crippling.

Today I woke up wiggling my toes.

Today I had moments in hypercolor.

And today I am reminded of how great it feels to breathe deep.

I am here- I am alive- and I choose to celebrate.

Thank you for those that have been by my side- holding my hand in the darkest of hours- and to those that stood on the sidelines cheering from all corners of the globe.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I felt you then-and I feel you now.

VIP tickets:  $75.00  which includes a private reception with survivors and artists, open bar, appetizers, and preferential bidding for the art auction

General Admission: $40.00 which includes open bar, appetizers and program.

Student Tickets: $20.00 with a valid id includes appetizers and program.

To learn more about #brusheswithcancer and to purchase tickets go to brusheswithcancer.twistoutcancer.org

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                            

Meeting Jenna has changed my life forever. I cannot even begin to imagine what it means to hear the
three words, ‘You have cancer’. However, the disease has had a painful impact on my life as well. The
world lost my favorite aunt to cancer about 10 years ago and I miss her dearly. There is not a single
day which goes by where she does not cross my mind. She is alive in my heart. Her support to people
around her was unparalleled. She used to always tell my mom that she was there for her no matter
what. When my aunt left this world, she left behind some unfulfilled dreams, some aspirations and
most importantly Hope. Hope that people who survive her will carry forward her spirit and will fulfill
things she couldn’t. Hope that unconditional love and support will be the way we live our lives and most
importantly the hope that people who can live will chose to live meaningful lives.

In my mind, Jenna by writing her own story of struggle, survival, sharing and most importantly
supporting is giving some sort of closure to my aunt’s story and is moving forward the hope people like
my aunt left behind. I thank Jenna and TwistOutCancer from all my heart. I strongly feel that it is our
responsibility to share and support others with what is working in our lives so that no one out there
feels alone. I also believe in my core that when we share hope it creates a universal human safety net
which can help us overcome the most difficult adversities life challenges us with. Cancer being one of
them.

Twist Our Cancer is changing lives and will continue to do so. Thank You for sharing this experience with
me and on my show. We love you. Big Hugs, Ayush.

Watch Jenna on the I AM BIG SHOW and join Ayush’s movement to live in a big and meaningful way.

I had the rare opportunity to be interviewed by Ayush for his show and blog for his website.

Check out our interview and the blog I wrote for his show.

Ayush- you are undoubtedly changing lives one story at a time.

 From the I Am Big Show Blog

What is clear, is that there is not one cancer narrative- not one coping strategy- nor one particular model patient experience we can look to to mimic or follow.  Our experiences- our narratives-our reflections on what was and what is-is so deeply personal.  And perhaps our experiences and the way we choose to describe them-are influenced by where we stand. Are we recently diagnosed- currently in treatment- recently relapsed or post treatment?   The options are endless and the words we choose  to describe our stories, can quickly change depending on where we are at.

In my case, with little to no statistics or research to explain my diagnosis and treatment regimen, I realized early on that I felt empowered by writing my own story. Writing became my primary coping mechanism for how to navigate an experience that was traumatic, chaotic, yet undeniably mine. As I felt increasingly lonely and isolated I was deeply concerned that I would eventually lose my own voice. There were times when I appeared silent, but I was really screaming. And there were times when I was screaming yet struggling to speak.

In a failed attempt to preserve the voice I once knew and once loved, I ended up by accident discovering a more authentic self.  This self was braver, more courageous, and more giving. This self was determined to raise awareness, educate and find an outlet for my creativity.

The voice that I was so desperately clinging to was no longer the voice that I needed.

And today, I have recognized that the voice I had during treatment- is no longer relevant for my here and now.

Our voices- our narratives- our twists on cancer are ever- changing.

Perhaps through writing, through art, through music, our voices then and now can and will always be preserved.

On April 17, 2012, Twist Out Cancer will launch “Brushes With Cancer: Pairing Artists and Survivors to Create For a Cause.” This event will celebrate survivorship and hope through art, music and storytelling.  Over the next few months, survivors will be asked to share their “Twist On Cancer,” (lessons learned, fighting strategies and new perspectives) with our online community of support. Their ‘twists’ will serve as inspiration for local and international artists to create unique pieces of art. The art will be auctioned online and in person at the Twist With An Artist Benefit taking place on April 17, 2013 in Chicago.

The Benefit
At the event, participating survivors will have the opportunity to share their Twist on Cancer, and the artists they inspire will discuss their creative processes and reveal their final works of art. All proceeds will go directly to the Twist community.

Inspirational stories of hope will be provided by 
Jenna Benn, Founder of Twist Out Cancer
Jonny Immerman, Founder of Immerman’s Angels

Keynote Speaker
Ethan Zohn, Two Time Cancer Survivor and Winner of Survivor Africa

Music Provided by Palter Ego
Commentary provided by Anthony Ponce, General Assignment Reporter at NBC5

Call For Submissions
Twist Out Cancer is calling upon survivors to share their twist on cancer between now and February 28, 2013.
To submit your Twist On Cancer click here.

Selected artists will have the opportunity to showcase their art online and person. The art will be displayed and auctioned at Twist Out Cancer’s annual benefit taking place in Chicago on April 17, 2013. Proceeds from the auction will go toward furthering Twist Out Cancer’s mission.

If you are interested in participating as an artist please contact Jenna Benn, Founder of Twist Out Cancer at Jenna@twistoutcancer.org

The Benefit
At the event, participating survivors will have the opportunity to share their Twist on Cancer, and the artists they inspire will discuss their creative processes and reveal their final works of art. All proceeds will go directly to the Twist community.

Inspirational stories of hope will be provided by

Jenna Benn, Founder of Twist Out Cancer

Jonny Imerman, Founder of Imerman’s Angels

Keynote Speaker

Ethan Zohn, Two Time Cancer Survivor and Winner of Survivor Africa

Music Provided by Palter Ego

Commentary provided by Anthony Ponce, General Assignment Reporter at NBC5

Call For Submissions
Twist Out Cancer is calling upon survivors to share their twist on cancer between now and February 28, 2013.
To submit your Twist On Cancer click here.

Selected artists will have the opportunity to showcase their art online and person. The art will be displayed and auctioned at Twist Out Cancer’s annual benefit taking place in Chicago on April 17, 2013. Proceeds from the auction will go toward furthering Twist Out Cancer’s mission.

If you are interested in participating as an artist please contact Jenna Benn, Founder of Twist Out Cancer at Jenna@twistoutcancer.org

How Do I Get Involved:
If you are interested in joining the Twist With An Artist Host Committee or are interested in donating goods/services please contact Jenna@twistoutcancer.org

There will be 4 host committee meetings between January and April. Please note that you do not need to be in Chicago to participate.

This is no easy task- in fact it is rather arduous.

As a 31-year-old young adult cancer survivor, I sometimes feel that I am the gatekeeper of innocuous information, strategies and tricks- that at this point in time- serve no real purpose for me.

During the 8 months of treatment, I learned how to make the hospital my home, learned how outsmart taste aversions developed during chemotherapy, and learned how to connect my mind and body through deep breathing and meditation.  I learned how to see the world in hypercolor, learned how to connect with my authentic self, and learned that there is a fine line between vulnerability and strength.

Today, this knowledge and these experiences, reside peacefully between my two ears waiting to be accessed when the time is right.

While this information may not be applicable to me as a survivor, I have found it tremendously useful in my new role as a supporter.

I know what it feels like to be tied up, and locked in by cancer. I know what it feels like to be betrayed by my body. And I know what it feels like to be on pause when the rest of the world is on play.

I have learned that there simply is no perfect thing to say-and no perfect thing to do. All we need to do is show up- and keep showing up. Instead of gifts-bring love- and don’t forget to hold hands.

This is what I know.

This is what I learned.

And while I am grateful that I don’t currently need these lessons for my own personal benefit, I am thankful to have survived and to now be able to give.