Charlotte Safrit & Molly Stepansky
The Story
Charlotte Safrit
Allentown, PA
@charlottepxp
Breast Cancer Survivor
Twist on Cancer:
Cancer didn’t just change my body—it reshaped my life. In the chaos of a diagnosis, I finally found the grace to care for myself. For years, I fought for others—clients, kids, family—but never drew boundaries for myself. I was the nurturer the caretaker, but never the one asking for help. Cancer forced me to put my needs first, to rest, and to embrace the things that brought me joy. I stopped feeling guilty for needing care and started seeing it as necessary for my survival. I’m still learning to advocate for my time and energy, but cancer gave me the gift of knowing that self-care isn’t selfish—it’s essential. This is my twist on cancer: transforming the fight of my life into the fight for my right to thrive.
@charlottepxp
Breast Cancer Survivor
Twist on Cancer:
Cancer didn’t just change my body—it reshaped my life. In the chaos of a diagnosis, I finally found the grace to care for myself. For years, I fought for others—clients, kids, family—but never drew boundaries for myself. I was the nurturer the caretaker, but never the one asking for help. Cancer forced me to put my needs first, to rest, and to embrace the things that brought me joy. I stopped feeling guilty for needing care and started seeing it as necessary for my survival. I’m still learning to advocate for my time and energy, but cancer gave me the gift of knowing that self-care isn’t selfish—it’s essential. This is my twist on cancer: transforming the fight of my life into the fight for my right to thrive.
Molly Stepansky
Orland Park, IL
@mollystepansky
“Just a Moment”
White stoneware
12”x2.5”
$200
Artist Statement: I am a ceramic hobbyist living on the South Side of Chicago and I have been wheel-throwing clay for 25 years. My work for Brushes with Cancer seeks to honor the journey of Charlotte Jones Safrit
In speaking with my inspiration, Charlotte, it was known pretty early that we have similar stories. Both Charlotte and I are cancer survivors, diagnosed when our children were very young. Both of us were under 40.
A common thread in our conversations has been the idea of time and striving for perfection. We found that the notion of time becomes amplified as a young survivor, especially with a young family. "Is this the last time I will celebrate this birthday?" or "Is this the last time I will be able to take my child on a field trip?" “Everything has to be perfect because I don’t know if I’ll have the chance to do it again later”. This contemplation of time and its fleeting nature has profoundly impacted my work, and it serves as a reminder that with each passing second, there is always a reason to celebrate life and resilience.
Charlotte's resilience and strength are reflected in my art. She has faced many challenges over the last few years but has come through the other side with strength and grace. Inspired by our conversations, I created a green clock to remind us that we should not spend our days cramming in every possible event or striving for perfection. Time keeps going, and as survivors, so will we. It represents the need for a future, the passing of time and serves as a reminder that there is no expiration date on life. It symbolizes that there is enough time for all the small things that make life so important.
@mollystepansky
“Just a Moment”
White stoneware
12”x2.5”
$200
Artist Statement: I am a ceramic hobbyist living on the South Side of Chicago and I have been wheel-throwing clay for 25 years. My work for Brushes with Cancer seeks to honor the journey of Charlotte Jones Safrit
In speaking with my inspiration, Charlotte, it was known pretty early that we have similar stories. Both Charlotte and I are cancer survivors, diagnosed when our children were very young. Both of us were under 40.
A common thread in our conversations has been the idea of time and striving for perfection. We found that the notion of time becomes amplified as a young survivor, especially with a young family. "Is this the last time I will celebrate this birthday?" or "Is this the last time I will be able to take my child on a field trip?" “Everything has to be perfect because I don’t know if I’ll have the chance to do it again later”. This contemplation of time and its fleeting nature has profoundly impacted my work, and it serves as a reminder that with each passing second, there is always a reason to celebrate life and resilience.
Charlotte's resilience and strength are reflected in my art. She has faced many challenges over the last few years but has come through the other side with strength and grace. Inspired by our conversations, I created a green clock to remind us that we should not spend our days cramming in every possible event or striving for perfection. Time keeps going, and as survivors, so will we. It represents the need for a future, the passing of time and serves as a reminder that there is no expiration date on life. It symbolizes that there is enough time for all the small things that make life so important.
