Stories of Hope and Inspiration from Twist Out Cancer's Brushes With Cancer Program
Over the past 15 years, Twist Out Cancer has positively impacted more than 280,000 people through the power of storytelling, creative arts, and human connection. Through our signature Brushes with Cancer program, 1,704 individuals have participated as Inspirations and Artists, coming together to share their stories, build meaningful connections, and create something lasting. These collaborations have resulted in 853 unique works of art, each representing an individual journey with cancer and the powerful connection formed between an Inspiration and an Artist. In this podcast, you can hear directly from our Inspirations and Artists as they share what it means to tell their story, connect through art, and experience the powerful moment when an Inspiration sees their finished artwork for the first time. For 15 years, Twist Out Cancer has created spaces where people touched by cancer can share, connect, and heal. Your support helps us continue providing meaningful programs and creative arts experiences to individuals and families navigating cancer. Help us reach the next person who needs connection and community. Donate today or learn more about our work at www.twistoutcancer.org.
Episodes
In this episode of the Power Partners Podcast, Jenna Benn Shersher, the founder and CEO of Twist Out Cancer speaks with Chelsea Lewis-Bahr, a contemporary abstract artist and finance professional based in Huntsville, Alabama.
Chelsea shares how a chance visit from her mother, who was surprised to discover her daughter's artwork, set her on the path to connecting with Twist Out Cancer and the Brushes With Cancer program. Chelsea refl...
In this episode, Twist Out Cancer Advisory Board Member, Soraya Fata, speaks with Megan Scherer, the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Worth The Wait. Megan shares how the organization is helping patients turn that loss into hope, with financial support, education, and advocacy for fertility preservation and family building.
After navigating cancer-related infertility in her own family, Megan and her husband Mike launche...
Inspiration Delphine Gervaise and Artist Dominik Ambroise are participants in a licensed Brushes With Cancer Program in partnership with the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami.
Delphine shares her experience caring for her mother, who passed away from breast cancer, and the grief that followed. She also opens up about the emotional, financial, and practical weight of caregiving, the anticipatory grief of...
In this episode, Twist Out Cancer's Director of Programs, August Spree, speaks to Julie Clauer, who is a colon cancer survivor, and Marea Cordero, the artist she was paired with as part of the 2026 Winter Brushes With Cancer program.
Julie and Marea’s stories reveal a deeper truth: resilience, connection, and healing can emerge from the cracks of grief. In this heartfelt episode, these two incredible women share how art become...
In this podcast, August Spree of Twist Out Cancer speaks to Jackie Herigodt, the Director of Partnerships and Engagement at Imerman Angels. Jackie has also been an Inspiration in a Brushes With Cancer program.
Listen to how Jackie's journey has been shaped by loss, resilience, and ultimately, connection. What emerges is not just a narrative about cancer, but a reflection on what it means to be supported, understood, and tru...
In this inspiring interview, Inspiration Alique Topalian shares her journey as a cancer survivor and advocate, and discusses her participation in the Brushes with Cancer program. Jackie Carmody, an artist, explains her creative process in capturing Alique's story through art, highlighting the healing power of storytelling and artistic expression.
You can view the art piece here:
In this episode of Twist Out Cancer's podcast, host August Spree interviews Patricia San Pedro, a cancer thriver and Emmy award-winning filmmaker.
Patricia shares her journey of being diagnosed with breast cancer, the importance of community and chosen family during her treatment, and how she documented her experience to help others. The conversation explores themes of vulnerability, resilience, and the healing power of art, c...
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...
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 p...
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 in...
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 th...
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, whi...
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 pi...
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.
You can view the painting that Angela create...
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 Twis...
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.
You can view the paint...
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...
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