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 connect, create, support and inspire.
Why Twist?
Twist Out Cancer (TOC) was built on the belief that when you share, the world opens up. 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.
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Midway through treatment, Jenna, a dancer at heart, was isolated due to her compromised immune system. Alone and longing for the days when she could dance freely, she created an online video of herself doing the twist. She asked her friends to join her on her virtual dance floor, and within days, Jenna’s challenge was met by hundreds of videos of thousands of people dancing around the world. She no longer felt alone but instead connected to and supported by a community of twisters. When Jenna completed treatment she knew that she wanted to give back in a meaningful way. She recognized the power of sharing and the importance of creating a support community that caters to the psychosocial needs of those affected by cancer. Thus: Twist Out Cancer was born.
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Our Community
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.
Jenna Benn Shersher is a 39-year-old civil rights advocate, world traveler and tiny twister who dreams big. Founder and CEO of Twist Out Cancer, and the President of the Board.
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Jenna Benn Shersher
Founder and CEO and Board President
Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
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Andrew Edelston
National Board Chair, Executive Board Member, Financial Advisor at Lakefront Group at Morgan Stanley
Glencoe, Illinois
Lakefront Group at Morgan Stanley
Cynthia Beck
Executive Board Member
Chicago, Illinois
Josh Taustein
Executive Board Member, Director of Marketing and Communications at Continuum Clinical
Morton Grove, Illinois
Twist Out Cancer
Jon Goldberg
Executive Board Member, President of Padcaster
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Padcaster
Dr. Christian Squillante
Executive Board Member, MD is a medical oncologist and internal medicine specialist at Virginia Piper Cancer Institute – Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, MN.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Allinea Health
Stephanie Plein
Executive Board Member,Clinical Connections Day School - Speech Therapist
Deerfield, Illinois
Erin Johnson
Executive Board Member, Searl Lamaster Howe Architects - Office Manager
Chicago, Illinois
Joelle Goldman Bilow
Executive Board Member
Glencoe, Illinois
Dan Hadad
Executive Board Member
Toronto, Ontario
Jenn Katz Margolis
Executive Board Member,Global Coverage Officer, Private Equity ADP
Washington, District of Columbia
Mardi Kaplan
Advisory Board Member,Toyota Financial Services - Communications Consultant
Chicago, Illinois
Gudrun Wu Snyder
Advisory Board Member, Doctor of Acupuncture and Owner of Moon Rabbit Acupuncture
Chicago, Illinois
Moon Rabbit Accupuncture
Jeff Guerrero
Chicago, Illinois
Anna Feneis
Advisory Board, Fine Artist
Denver, Colorado
Kimberly Kass
Advisory Board, Director of Business Development, Agilify Automation (part of Ascension)
Austin, Texas
Ella Hawk
Advisory Board, Nurse Practioner at Cooper University Health Systems
Swedesboro, New Jersey
Dr. Martin Hogan
Advisory Board, DDS
Glencoe, Illinois
Bari Murphy
Advisory Board, Licensed Professional Counselor
Chicago, Illinois
Shelby Zitelman
Advisory Board, Licensed Professional Counselor
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Kenny Lapins
Advisory Board, Writer, Artist, Poet
Chicago, Illinois
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Kara Thomas
Advisory Board, Artist
Detroit, Michigan
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Tanya Kertsman
Advisory Board, Pharmacist & Blogger
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Bari Fleischer
Advisory Board, Artist
Chicago, IL
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Jennifer Indig
Advisory Board, Founder, Fern Hill Project
New York
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Kevin Morgan
Advisory Board, Partner, JMA Ventures, LLC.
San Francisco, California
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Soraya Fata
Advisory Board, Attorney
Chicago, Illinois
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Joe Lombardo
Advisory Board
Chicago, Illinois
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Alex Perry
Advisory Board
Chicago, Illinois
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Jenna Benn Shersher, she/her
Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, MSW
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Amelia Hanrahan, she/her
Chicago, Illinois
Chief Operating Officer
August Spree, she/her
Detroit, Michigan
Director of Programs
Ana Gordon, she/her
Chicago, Illinois
Clinical Director, LCSW
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Jacqueline Carmody, she/her
Chicago, Illinois
Clinical Art Therapist, LCPC, ATR-BC
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Lindsay Patton, she/her
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Director of Digital Strategy
Jenna Koch, she/her
Potomac, Maryland
Clinical Intern, Director of Social Media
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When you share -
the world opens up”
Jenna Benn Shersher, Founder of Twist Out Cancer
