WASHINGTON, Sept. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- “Lilly Oncology on Canvas: Expressions of a Woman’s Cancer Journey,” a distinctive art exhibit traveling the world, is visiting the nation’s capital for three weeks beginning September 26. The timing of the exhibit coincides with several cancer awareness days occurring in September and October, including Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month (September) and National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October).
The exhibit, showcasing more than 150 works of art created by those touched by women’s cancer, will be open to the public at Union Station’s West Hall from Monday, September 26 through Sunday, October 16, 2005. Lilly Oncology on Canvas is presented by Eli Lilly and Company, in partnership with the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS), and the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center at Georgetown University.
Patient Perspective
Lilly Oncology on Canvas entrant Donna Hepner, a 39-year old Annapolis, MD college arts professor had just earned her Masters in Fine Arts when she was diagnosed with an “aggressive, invasive” breast cancer at age 33 in 1999.
“It was fourth of July weekend. Like my studio mates, I was looking forward to making summer plans and beginning my teaching career; instead, I discovered a lump under my arm and embarked on a year of chemotherapy and recovery.”
Still, Hepner calls her cancer diagnosis a “gift.” “Having a cancer experience has been the best thing to ever happen to me and my art. It put me in a state of live, live, live.” It is now six years later and Hepner is well.
But some of the people close to Hepner were not so lucky. Since her own diagnosis and recovery, she has lost several close friends and a family member to cancer, including the woman who inspired her career. In addition, her two grandmothers have just been diagnosed.
When chemotherapy nurses, with whom she grew close over the years, urged her to enter the Lilly Oncology on Canvas competition, Hepner produced her photography entry entitled “Insomniacs.” This is a self portrait of her cancer journey during and after treatment.
“The vastness and overflow of emotions were great, and Lilly Oncology on Canvas allowed me to express it.”
About the Artwork
Lilly Oncology on Canvas began as an international art competition open to: those affected by women’s cancer; their families and friends; cancer advocates, healthcare providers, artists and art students. The contest invited them to express, through art and in narrative, their own cancer journeys. This rich and enduring exhibition, which was unveiled at London’s Royal College of Art in December 2004, has been traveling the world in 2005 and continues to touch the hearts and minds of people everywhere.
“Most of us have been touched by cancer in some way, and we can therefore all identify with the Lilly Oncology on Canvas exhibit,” said Adrian Barfield, executive director, U.S. Lilly Oncology Business Unit. “But the real strength of the exhibit lies in its portrayal of the human spirit and its role in the healing process. At Lilly, the contest has helped us gain a better understanding of the importance of treating not just the cancer, but the human being, with innovative, meaningful ways to help make the cancer journey more hopeful.”
Lilly Oncology on Canvas received more than 400 submissions from 23 countries including Australia, Botswana, Hong Kong, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, the U.S. and U.K. The competition yielded 24 winners in various categories including photography, oil, watercolor, acrylic, pastel and charcoal. Monetary awards were provided to the winners’ cancer charities of choice.
Celebrating Survivorship
Since 1971 the number of cancer survivors in the United States has increased from 3 million to more than 10 million today. This year it is estimated that another 1.4 million will be diagnosed, including more than 660,000 women. Advances in cancer research and treatment have increased significantly the survival rates for several types of cancer, but not all. Ellen Stovall, a two-time, 33-year cancer survivor and president and CEO of the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS), says the title of survivor is earned early on.
“One is a cancer survivor from the moment of diagnosis and for the balance of life,” said Stovall. “And because Lilly Oncology on Canvas is about survivorship - the experience of living with, through and beyond a cancer diagnosis - NCCS is proud to be associated with it.”
National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS)
NCCS is the oldest survivor-led cancer advocacy organization in the country and a highly respected authentic voice at the federal level, advocating for quality cancer care for all Americans and empowering cancer survivors. For more information about NCCS and its advocacy for quality cancer care, please visit www.canceradvocacy.org or call 1.877.NCCS.YES.
Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center
The Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, named for legendary football coach, Vince Lombardi, was established at Georgetown University in 1970. Lombardi is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in the Washington, DC area. The state-of-the-art cancer center treats virtually every type of cancer, with a particular emphasis in solid tumors and adult and pediatric hematologic cancers.
Eli Lilly and Company
Lilly, a leading innovation-driven corporation, is developing a growing portfolio of first-in-class and best-in-class pharmaceutical products by applying the latest research from its own worldwide laboratories and from collaborations with eminent scientific organizations. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, Lilly provides answers -- through medicines and information -- for some of the world’s most urgent medical needs. O-LLY
To view samples of the artwork from the exhibition, please log on to www.lillyoncology.com and click on the Lilly Oncology on Canvas logo.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050921/NCCSLOGOhttp://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041202/OOCLOGOhttp://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031219/LLYLOGO )
Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050921/NCCSLOGOhttp://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041202/OOCLOGOhttp://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031219/LLYLOGOPRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.comEli Lilly and Company; National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
CONTACT: Gregory Clarke of Eli Lilly and Company, +1-317-276-5222, Pager:+1-877-892-7864, gregory.clarke@lilly.com
