Jennifer Guerrero
Loves Park, IL
Survivor
Twist on Cancer: Growth is still possible, even in the hardest seasons.
Living with metastatic breast cancer has taught me that life can change in an instant. After five years of stability, hearing that I had a recurrence was devastating. It felt like the ground beneath me shifted all over again. But through every wave of fear and uncertainty, I have continued to search for meaning and strength in the middle of the storm.
During chemotherapy in the pandemic, I found deep comfort in trees. In the fall, they reminded me that letting go can still be beautiful. In the winter, when their branches stood bare, they showed me what quiet strength looks like. Trees taught me that even when everything on the outside looks still or broken, growth is still happening underneath.
Participating in Brushes With Cancer through Twist Out Cancer has been especially meaningful because of my connection with my artist, Kelly. Although our diagnoses are different, we are both cancer survivors connected through resilience, faith, and creativity. There is something incredibly powerful about being seen through another survivor’s artistic lens. Kelly’s work reflects not just my cancer journey, but my continued growth through it.
My family and my church remain my greatest sources of strength. They remind me every day that I am more than my diagnosis. I am still growing, still dreaming, and still living with purpose.
Because even after recurrence, even after fear, there is still beauty. There is still strength. And there is still so much life left to live.
Kelly Steciak
Villa Park, IL
https://kellysteciak.mypixieset.com/
@imagesbykellysteciak on Instagram
“Jenny’s Path”
Photography
24” x 18” horizontal gloss white metal print
$250
Artist Statement: “Jenny’s Path” This body of work emerged from a shared connection, one not fully understood until you hear the word cancer. As both photographer and survivor, I began to see life differently. Twist Out Cancer helped me pick up my camera again. Jenny helped me see trees differently. Jenny, a mother of three, has lived with stage IV metastatic breast cancer since 2020 and has been on active treatment for five years. Jenny continues to stand stronger than cancer. On her hardest days, she envisions herself as a tree, rooted, growing, and embracing the people she loves surrounded by colors. When she shared that with me, the project came into focus. Her words became the foundation of this work, and the beauty of autumn became its visual language. As the work evolved, I found myself traveling through forested landscapes, thinking of Jenny and our conversations. I listened to leaves fall, studied the strength of exposed roots, and recognized in them her resilience. One day, Jenny shared her church information with me, and as I looked it over, I noticed that the letter O in the word Journey had a path designed within it. This small detail stayed with me. I began taking more walks along wooded paths, and one day, I ventured off the beaten path and discovered roots, fallen leaves, the warm colors of fall, and a trail ahead. In that moment, I recognized a beautiful symbol of Jenny’s faith and the road she walks.Jenny is unable to be here today, as her cancer has returned and she is currently recovering. Even so, she knew how important this day was. Not just to this project, but to my own journey. Within the tree are the first letters of each of her children’s names woven into the bark; it’s a tribute to her children that she holds at her roots.