Matt Eckerle’s words at the 2026 Winter Brushes with Cancer Celebration and Exhibition as he accepted his artist recognition.

“Patty Eckerle is why I’m here tonight, for so many reasons. She is the sweetest, kindest, most selfless person I’ve ever known. She’s also the smallest and by far the strongest. I could stand a foot over her and she could bring me to my knees with 3 simple words. ‘Matthew…Gerard…Eckerle’…and if you’ve ever been called by your first, middle, and last name, you know what I’m talking about. She had cancer…I’ll say that again: she HAD cancer, but cancer never had her. It affected her physical being but it could never touch her capacity to love, and because of that, it’s an honor to call her my hero, it’s an honor to represent her here tonight, and it’s always been an honor to call her ‘mom”.

It’s also an absolute honor to be in front of such a brave and inspiring group of individuals. The Inspirations, whose title is so incredibly just and well deserved, for courageously telling your story with all of us and allowing us to see beyond the diagnosis and allowing us to see the person. And the artists who willingly accepted the enormous task of sharing these stories the only way you know how—through your work. Aesthetically, the work is incredible, but knowing the delicacy in how you skillfully handled the work with creativity and empathy is what makes the works beautiful.

I would love to personally thank you all for all that you have given to this experience: time shared connecting, planning, and preparing; time shared in executing and creating; and now the time of sharing the culmination of your joint efforts and sharing your story, your connection, your life, and your love. Thank you.

I’d also love to thank all involved with the Twist Out Cancer organization. When I decided to get into a life in the Arts, I didn’t know what kind of opportunities would be in my future, but I could not have dreamt of a more life-changing opportunity or a community that is more life-affirming. It is one of my greatest honors to be a part of the Twist  family. I’d love to thank MY inspirations that I’ve met through this program…my man Mert who reminds me every day that we have a lot of life to live and a lot of love to give, and of course our angel, Meredith, who I was able to share our completed piece created through our connection days before she passed but who continually reminds me to make each pulse remarkable. I’d love to thank my amazing support system back home—family, friends, co-teachers and students, and especially my beautiful wife Gina and amazing gift of a daughter Grace—everything begins and ends with them, their blessing, their support, their presence. Because of them, I’m a lucky, lucky man. Finally, I’d love to thank one man who has been with me since the first days of my artistic journey: my high school art teacher Mr. Tim Haders who since the first days of his class preached to me the importance of a creative spirit, of trust, of willingness, and the importance of artistic connection. This is why we make Art. THIS is why we do ANYTHING. When I found that I was the recipient of this award, I told him, ‘Timmy, you were right, and it was so worth it’.”