Brushes with Cancer
2026 Participant Site

Art Exhibition & Celebration: November 15, 2026 at Lilah in Fishtown
Philadelphia, PA

Welcome to the Twist Out Cancer Family!

On behalf of the Twist Out Cancer Staff, Board, and Brushes with Cancer Host Committee it is my pleasure to welcome you to the Twist Out Cancer family! We are so grateful that you have taken this step toward sharing, connecting and healing. Over the next 6 months you will be digging deep into your cancer journey and connecting with your esteemed artist. We recognize that opening up and creating artwork inspired by someone else’s story is no easy task! Your mentors are here to support you throughout this program. We hope you will take advantage of the peer to peer support programming, twistshops and additional in person and virtual opportunities Twist has to offer. Below you will find updated information about the program, deadlines and upcoming events. If you have any questions about the process please do not hesitate to be in touch.

With love and gratitude,

Jenna Benn Shersher, MSW

Founder and CEO of Twist Out Cancer

 
The Program

Brushes with Cancer is a program of Twist Out Cancer that strategically matches artists with individuals touched by cancer (inspirations). Over a period of 6 months, the artist and inspirations work together to build a relationship built on mutual understanding and trust. The artist creates a unique work of art that is reflective of the inspiration’s journey with cancer. The program culminates in a virtual event that celebrates survivorship, and hope, where the art is auctioned off with all proceeds benefiting the mission and work of Twist Out Cancer.

Important Dates and Deadlines
  • Orientation Call: May 13th at 7pm CST8pm EST
  • Peer to Peer Sessions:
        • Session #1: June 23rd at 6pm CST/7pm EST
          • Inspirations, please register here
          • Artists, please register here
        • Session #2: August 20th at 11:30am CST/12:30pm EST 
          • Inspirations, please register here
          • Artists, please register here
  • FAQ Call: September 9th at 8pm EST
    • Link to register to come.
  • Digital Assets Due: September 23rd
    • Links to submit to come!
  • Art Delivery Due: October 2nd
  • Exhibition and Celebration: November 15th from 3-7pm EST at Lilah Fishtown in Philadelphia, PA
Book your Hotel Accommodations

 

 

Program Expectations and Agreement

The Brushes with Cancer program is designed to cultivate a connection between the artist and inspiration (with support from the mentor, and the TOC community as a whole). The art is a tangible product of that connection and intended to illustrate a part of their specific cancer experience – either a moment or as a whole. Willingness to share is required of both the artist and the inspiration. The artist is charged with listening and extracting elements from the inspiration’s experience to integrate into the art. The inspiration is not encouraged to direct or dictate the composition of the art work. It is an exchange of trust that can generate unexpected interactions and meaningful connections.

In order to participate in Brushes with Cancer, we require that all participants complete the program agreement.

Program Agreement

Brushes with Cancer Guide to Mental Health

The Brushes With Cancer experience is meant to provide healing, self-reflection, and an opportunity to build meaningful relationships no matter what stage of survivorship an Inspiration may be in. As the process unfolds, it is normal to experience a range of emotions that can include negative emotions like sadness, grief, anxiety, or confusion.  Like all emotions, it is healthy to acknowledge and process through them and take steps to cope with them. If at any time, you find yourself in need of additional support or resources, please reference the Brushes with Cancer Guide to Mental Health and the Cancer Resources section of our website.
 
Sometimes, however, negative emotions may persist or old unresolved issues may surface again that need the help of a professional to successfully work through.  If an inspiration finds themselves needing additional support, or an artist or mentor becomes concerned about their inspiration’s mental health, please reach out to our Clinical Director, Ana Gordon at ana@twistoutcancer.org. She is a Clinical Licensed Oncology Social Worker with a decade of experience in mental health and oncology.  While the scope of Brushes with Cancer programming does not provide individualized clinical supports like psychotherapy, the Clinical Director can help to connect a participant with mental health resources in their community.  

Everyone should have access to the mental health care they need.  In the spirit of that, below is a collection of resources designed for cancer survivors at all stages of survivorship:

How to get started!
  1. Email your match to say hello and exchange additional information. Not sure how to get the conversation going? Check out our guide!
  2. Register for the peer-to-peer group for your role.
  3. Plan an initial meeting (via video chat or in person) with your mentor. Mentors can join for the first 15 minutes or so and then allow the Artist and Inspiration to continue their chat afterwards.
  4. Discuss when you will connect again. Aim for at least once every 3-4 weeks.
  5. Check in with your mentor if you have questions or issues. Also check in with your mentor after each connection just to confirm things are moving forward.
  6. Enjoy connecting with your match!
Art Exhibition and Celebration: November 15, 2025

We are excited to announce that our Brushes with Cancer Art Exhibition and Celebratory event will take place in Philadelphia this fall! Take a look at the Brushes with Cancer Fall 2025 Art Exhibition and Celebration below.

Past Program Books and Online Galleries

For the last 10 years, Brushes with Cancer has impacted over 46,000 people worldwide. We have held over 30 programs. As you embark on your journey with Twist Out Cancer we encourage you to check out the artwork and stories that inspired them from previous programs.

Brushes with Cancer Winter 2026

Brushes with Cancer Fall 2025 and Colors of Systemic Mastocytosis 2025

Brushes with Cancer Winter 2025

Brushes with Cancer Fall 2024

Brushes with Cancer Spring 2024

Brushes with Cancer Midwest 2023

Brushes with Cancer Midwest 2022

Brushes with Cancer Midwest 2021

Brushes with Cancer Northeast 2021

Brushes with Cancer at General Motors 2020

Your Team

Jenna Benn Shersher

Twist Out Cancer Founder and CEO
jenna@twistoutcancer.org
Amelia Hanrahan
Twist Out Cancer Chief Operating Officer
amelia@twistoutcancer.org
August Spree
Twist Out Cancer Director of Programs
august@twistoutcancer.org
Ana Gordon, LCSW, OSW-C
Twist Out Cancer Clinical Director
ana@twistoutcancer.org
Jenna Koch, LMSW
Twist Out Cancer Program Associate
jennakoch@twistoutcancer.org

Featured Auction

The Brushes with Cancer Online Art Auction and Exhibition will be available for participant viewing and bidding in advance of the big event. All proceeds raised from the art auction go right back into funding the Brushes with Cancer program.

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