By Charlotte Safrit

Cancer takes and takes so much from us—our certainty, our time, our sense of control, sometimes it even our sense of self. But in the midst of trauma it can reveal something extraordinary: the resilience of the human spirit. I got involved with Brushes with Cancer because I believe in the power of storytelling, our stories matter, we matter and I believe in capturing the beauty of life—not just continuing to breathe, but in choosing to create, to connect, to love despite the challenges we all face and learn to move through it all together. Art has a way of expressing the depth of what words cannot capture, and I wanted to be part of something that honored the stories that often go unheard. Stories that can fill the world with inspiration and hope. Stories that can heal.

My first takeaway from this program is that healing doesn’t mean moving on from pain—it means transforming it. This program and my diagnosis showed me that when we share our stories, they become more than just memories; they become light for someone else who is still walking through the dark. Secondly I would say that this experience highlights the deep and meaningful truth that connection can turn grief into something beautiful. Cancer can feel isolating, but through this experience, I’ve witnessed the profound ways in which art can bridge the gap between loss and love. It reminds me that none of us are truly alone—we carry pieces of each other in every brushstroke, every story, every moment of understanding. I am not what happened to me–my self-identity is mine to create. All of us are who we choose to become.We are all living, breathing works of art, shaped by every hand that has lifted us, every voice that has cheered for us on. We are not by our diagnosis, but by our spirit. We are our own greatest masterpieces and I am thankful to be here right now and be able to share that with the world.