FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

FROM DIAGNOSIS TO CANVAS: 27 CANCER JOURNEYS HONORED THROUGH UNIQUE ARTWORK AT THE 2026 BRUSHES WITH CANCER EXHIBITION IN CHICAGO ON SATURDAY, MARCH 14 

The event will be held at Wildman BT and will feature a chance to view the artwork, dinner, live music, dancing, and an interactive art-and-movement experience.

January 27, 2025, Chicago – Twist Out Cancer, an international non-profit charitable organization that uses creative arts programming to provide social and emotional support to individuals touched by cancer, announced today that its Brushes With Cancer Art Exhibition and Celebration will be held on Saturday, March 14, at Wildman BT. The event will feature an opportunity to view 27 unique pieces of art that reflect 27 personal journeys with cancer. Guests can also enjoy food, drinks, music, dancing, and an interactive art-and-movement experience.

“Each piece of art in our Brushes With Cancer Exhibition is more than a creative expression – it’s a lifeline. It’s proof that even in our darkest moments, we can find light through connection and creativity,” said Jenna Benn Shersher, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Twist Out Cancer. “The artwork represents not just one person’s journey, but the beautiful intersection of two lives coming together through creativity. We invite the community to join us and witness this healing power.”

The Brushes With Cancer Winter 2026 program features 27 Inspirations and 27 artists from 13 states and three countries. The program strategically matches artists with individuals touched by cancer (Inspirations). Over the last five months, the Artists and Inspirations have worked together to build a relationship grounded in mutual understanding and trust. This provided the artist with a platform to create a unique piece of art that reflects the Inspiration’s personal journey with cancer. The program culminates in a celebration of survivorship and hope, where the art is auctioned, with all proceeds benefiting Twist Out Cancer’s mission and work. 

On Saturday, March 14, at 7 p.m., the public is invited to attend the 2026 Brushes With Cancer Art Exhibition and Celebration at Wildman BT, 3020 West Carroll Avenue, Chicago. The evening will be emceed by award-winning journalist Anthony Ponce, who will guide guests through an intimate exploration of the stories behind the art. Guests will also enjoy music from DJ John Simmons and musician JJ Smith, along with an art-and-movement experience led by Emma Lyons. All tickets include access to the art exhibition, dinner stations, and an open bar. Tickets can be purchased here and are $200 for one, $350 for two, and $725 for four. Various levels of sponsorship are also available on this page.

Over the last 14 years, Twist Out Cancer has positively impacted more than 280,000 people through its Brushes With Cancer programs, Twistshops, and more. This includes 1,704 people who participated in the Brushes with Cancer program as an Inspiration or Artist, which led to  853 unique pieces of art representing 853 individual journeys with cancer. This page has examples of the hundreds of pieces of artwork and stories that were part of the Brushes With Cancer programs over the last 14 years. 

 If you would like to bring Brushes with Cancer to your region or city, or if you have any questions on corporate partnerships and licensed programs, please send an email to brushes@twistoutcancer.org.  

About Twist Out Cancer

Established in 2011 as a non-profit organization, Twist Out Cancer offers the platform, tools, and community – both online and offline – for anyone touched by cancer to feel connected to a community and for many to take action. Twist Out Cancer was founded on the principle that the world opens up when you share.  Since its inception, the organization has touched over 280,000 people worldwide through its programs and events. A labor of love, Twist Out Cancer is a volunteer-led organization boasting a network of over 200 active volunteers serving as ambassadors in Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia, Ann Arbor, Austin, Tel Aviv, Toronto, and Montreal. More information is available at www.twistoutcancer.org.

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For media inquiries, please contact Joshua Taustein at josh@twistoutcancer.org.