Stories of Hope and Inspiration from Twist Out Cancer's Brushes With Cancer Program

In this episode, host Soraya Fata interviews Marty Hogan, a leukemia survivor and the founder of Windsor Tough. They discuss Marty's cancer journey, his connection to Twist Out Cancer, and his organization's mission to raise awareness and expand the blood stem cell donor registry. The conversation highlights the importance of community. More information about Windsor Tough is available at https://www.windsortough.org/

Join us in this heartfelt episode of "Power Partners: The Cancer Caregiver" as August Spree sits down with Charlotte Bayala, founder of the Cancer Caregiver. Discover Charlotte's personal journey through her husband's cancer diagnosis and how it inspired her to support others in similar situations. This episode delves into the emotional challenges caregivers face and the importance of self-care and community support. Tune in to hear stories of resilience, vulnerability, and the power of sharing experiences. Don't miss this inspiring conversation that highlights the strength found in caregiving. Host August Spree is joined by Twist Out Cancer Board Member and Inspiration, Soraya Fata. See the art piece that was made for Charlotte as part of a recent Brushes With Cancer program here: https://twistoutcancer.org/art/charlotte-a-bayala-and-bari-fleischer/ More information about Charlotte is available at www.charlottebayala.com/.

In this episode, August Spree speaks with Leah Phillips, founder of the Young Lung Cancer Initiative, who shares her personal journey with lung cancer, the stigma surrounding the disease, and her efforts to advocate for younger patients diagnosed with lung cancer. Leah discusses the importance of community, education, and visibility in supporting those affected by lung cancer, as well as her involvement in the Brushes with Cancer program. The conversation highlights the need for awareness and support for lung cancer patients, particularly those under 50, and the initiatives being undertaken to address these challenges. More information about the Young Lung Cancer Initiative is available at https://ylci.org/.

In this episode, we hear from Bob Brams, who is a Brain Cancer survivor, his wife and caregiver, Kim, and the artist Bob was matched with, Jean Schlesinger. They all live in Maryland. Bob shares the story from diagnosis to surgery and recovery. Kim’s unwavering support and advocacy were crucial during this time, as she coordinated his care and ensured he received the best possible treatment. Bob’s involvement with the Brushes with Cancer program connected him with artist Jean Schlesinger. Their collaboration not only provided Bob with a creative outlet but also highlighted the therapeutic power of art in healing and community building. Jean’s artwork, inspired by Bob’s meditation practice and the tranquil Chesapeake Bay, became a symbol of hope and resilience. More information about the Brushes With Cancer Fall 2025 Program is available here. https://twistoutcancer.org/brushes-with-cancer-fall-2025/

In this episode, we delve into the transformative journey of Ashley Smith and Caryn Frishman, who were brought together by the 2024 Brushes with Cancer program at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami. Listen as Ashley, a melanoma survivor, and Caryn, an artist and cancer survivor herself (both from Miami) share their inspiring story of connection, healing, and the profound impact of art. Discover how their bond transcended the canvas, offering both a new perspective on life and a celebration of resilience. Join us for an exploration of the healing power of art and the enduring strength of human connection. More information about the Brushes with Cancer program at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami is available here. https://www.arshtcenter.org/arsht-impact/arts-and-wellness/brushes-with-cancer/

Join us in this heartfelt episode as we explore the transformative journey of Tina Domske, a resilient cancer survivor, and Violet Alexandre, a talented artist, who were matched through the Fall 2025 Brushes with Cancer program. Tina and Violet share their inspiring stories of connection and healing through art. Discover how Tina's battle with metastatic breast cancer led her to embrace vulnerability and community, while Violet channels empathy and creativity to craft a unique art piece that reflects Tina's journey with cancer. Together, they reveal the profound impact of art in navigating life's challenges and fostering hope. Tune in to witness the power of expression and the beauty of human connection.

Inspiration Jorge Ginzo and Artist Oscar Montoya are part of the Brushes with Cancer program at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami. Jorge is a survivor of Colon cancer and in this episode, Jorge and Oscar share the unexpected similarities in their personal stories and how they continually advocate for early testing among men.

Inspiration Merton Briggs - from Newark, Delaware - shares his story as a Multiple Myeloma survivor and how he responded when he was only given a few months to live. As part of the Brushes With Cancer program, he was matched with artist Matthew Eckerle, who is from Fort Thomas, Kentucky. Their connection started on a zoom call, which led to a true admiration for one another and a life-long friendship. You can view the art piece that Matt created for Merton here: https://www.twistoutcancer.org/art/merton-briggs-matt-eckerle/ More information is available at: https://www.twistoutcancer.org/brushes/winter2025/

In this episode, Inspiration Michelle Hobart shares her story as a breast cancer survivor and how she kept her diagnosis a secret to start, and then shared it with family and friends. As part of the Brushes With Cancer program, she was matched with artist Angela Scalisi. Their connection started on a zoom call, which led to a five hour walk together, and an everlasting friendship. More information is available at: https://www.twistoutcancer.org/brushes/winter2025/

Crystal Bichalski and Joelle Bilow connected through astrology for the last three years. Crystal is a globally recognized predictive astrologist and astrotherapist based in Montclair, New Jersey. When Crystal was diagnosed with stage 2 ovarian cancer, Joelle immediately thought that she would benefit from participating in Brushes with Cancer. Joelle has participated as a Brushes with Cancer artist 6 times and has served on the Twist Out Cancer board for the last 7 years. Their connection has only deepened over the last few months, and true healing has begun for Crystal. Here is their story. More information is available at: https://www.twistoutcancer.org/brushes/winter2025/

Inspiration Bond Courtney, who lives in Atlanta, connected with Artist Rosa Henriquez in Miami as part of the Winter 2025 Brushes With Cancer program. Over the last six months these strangers have become dear friends who were able to open up to one another in new and meaningful ways. Rosa was able to take these stories to create a unique piece of art that represents Bond's personal journey with cancer. More information is available at: https://www.twistoutcancer.org/brushes/winter2025/

Inspiration Anita Tulsiani and Artist Theresa Bond Zelazny - both of whom live in Austin, Texas, had an immediate connection. Anita's ever positive attitude and vibrant outlook have continued to inspire Theresa throughout the collaborative process. More information is available at: https://twistoutcancer.org/brushes/midwest2023/

Inspiration Kelli Kim-Eng and Artist Kenny Lapins have so much more in common than anyone might guess. From their odd discoveries of their own cancer diagnoses, to the way the Brushes with Cancer program has brought them back to their own artistic endeavors, these two continue to connect in many unique ways. More information about the 2023 Brushes With Cancer Midwest Art Exhibition & Celebration is available at: https://twistoutcancer.org/brushes/midwest2023/

Caileigh and Gabrielle forged an intimate collaboration across an ocean and several time zones. Through their Brushes With Cancer experience, these two very creative people have grown to influence and inspire each other daily. More information about the 2023 Brushes With Cancer Midwest Art Exhibition & Celebration is available at: https://twistoutcancer.org/brushes/midwest2023/

When Maggie and her inspiration Rachel first met, they immediately bonded over curly hair, spirituality and a love of their home state of Texas! As their connection deepened and their collaboration grew, Maggie's piece culminated in a full expression of not just what Rachel went through, but who she is. More information about the 2023 Brushes With Cancer Midwest Art Exhibition & Celebration is available at: https://twistoutcancer.org/brushes/midwest2023/

Inspiration Wendy Santana and Artist Naimah Thomas have forged an unexpected friendship through this creative process. Not only has this partnership resulted in a piece of art that has meaning for both women, but they have come to be huge supporters of each other through life's ups and downs over the past several months as well. This is a really unique story as when they got to know each, Naimah had her own personal experience with cancer. More information about the 2023 Brushes With Cancer Midwest Art Exhibition & Celebration is available at: https://twistoutcancer.org/brushes/midwest2023/

After losing her fiancé David to bone cancer in October 2020, Donna found being a part of the Twist Out Cancer community to be tremendously helpful in navigating her grief. Suhani, in first learning and then seeking to tell Donna's story on canvas, shares how Donna's openness and generosity has inspired her not only artistically but in much more fundamental ways as well. More information is available at: https://twistoutcancer.org/brushes/midwest2023/

Rebecca Leder is the author of the book, The Knock Method. In her book, Rebecca features Twist Out Cancer founder and CEO Jenna Benn Shersher. In this episode, Rebecca talks about the example Jenna and her organization set for how we can establish human connection even in moments of isolation.

Artist Giorgia Lupi, from Pentagram Design, and Daniel Mancini and Inti Valez Bolero, from Wanda Barcelona, reflect on their art installations "Brushes With Cancer" and "Woven Wonders" which they designed in collaboration with Twist Out Cancer. They discuss how they got involved with the organization, the work that they created together, and what they will be taking from the experience. Both exhibits were on view at the WNDR Museum in Chicago in October and November 2022. The “Brushes with Cancer” exhibit from Pentagram is a work of 278 interwoven brushstrokes, representing the moments or collaborations between Twist Out Cancer’s Inspirations and Artists, as they came together to change each other’s lives. "Woven Wonders" is a larger-than-life exhibit made by Wanda Barcelona that was handmade by 12 artisans in Barcelona, weaving small strands of paper together to show how we are all interconnected and how, when cancer affects one of us, it affects us all. There are 500 variations of weaving designs in this piece. Learn more about these exhibits here: https://twistoutcancer.org/blog/twist-out-cancer-celebrates-10-years-of-sharing-connecting-and-healing-with-special-exhibit-and-brushes-with-cancer-gala-at-wndr-museum/

Mardi and Anna, whose connections to Twist Out Cancer and to each other reach far beyond a single collaboration, share how they found support and inspiration in each other through their partnership. See the painting that Anna made for Mardi here: https://twistoutcancer.org/art/mardi-kaplan-anna-feneis/