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Showing, Telling and Celebrating Life
Cancer survivors, friends and family – including talented artists – gather at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson’s eighth
annual event
On June 7, 2007, the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson held its eighth annual “Celebration of Life,” which was attended by
more than 200 cancer survivors, family caregivers and friends. This year’s event included an interactive Health Expo featuring
staff from the Jefferson Breast Care Center and Jefferson-Myrna Brind Center for Integrative Medicine. Other participating
organizations included the American Cancer Society, Living Beyond Breast Cancer, The Wellness Community, The Leukemia & Lymphoma
Society, Center for Advancement of Cancer Education, Women’s Health Institute, Yellow Daffodils and Whole Foods.
The “Celebration of Life” also featured a musical concert by artists from Astral Artistic Services, a Philadelphia-based non-profit
organization dedicated to developing the nation’s most gifted young musicians.
Richard G. Pestell, MD, PhD, Director of the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson, Vice President of Oncology Services at Thomas
Jefferson University Hospital, and Chair of Cancer Biology and Associate Dean Cancer Programs at Jefferson Medical College
(JMC) of Thomas Jefferson University, gave the keynote speech about long-term survivorship. Following Dr. Pestell’s presentation,
cancer survivors Gerald “Buddy” Leo, June White and Matthew V. DeCaro, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, JMC,
and Director, Coronary Care Unit, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Jefferson Hospital, shared their personal
stories.
Another highlight was an exhibit of art created by those touched by cancer. Here’s a look at some of the participating artists
and their work.
Caryn Levitsky
Caryn Levitsky is an ovarian cancer survivor of 14 years and counting. Her use of bold colors, line and form in her paintings
of flowers, plants and landscapes results in unexpected interpretations. For the past seven years, Caryn has served as a
participant in the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson’s Buddy Program, providing one-to-one support to people newly diagnosed
with cancer. Caryn is also a member of the Advocacy and Survivorship Committee made up of individuals treated in the Kimmel
Cancer Center (and family members of those treated), who advise the Center’s physicians and administrators on patient-related
issues. “These two programs have become an important part of my life,” Caryn says. “I am happy to help patients with cancer
in any way that I can, remembering how love and support helped me get through my own experience.”
Liz Murphy
Liz Murphy’s husband, Ron, is a liver cancer survivor who was diagnosed in November 2006. When Ron began chemotherapy sessions
the following month, Liz, who has been serious about photography since 1988, has won various awards for her work, and particularly
enjoys taking candid street shots, felt that by keeping a photo journal of Ron’s experience, she could provide him and herself
with strength and inspiration. “The pictures convey a sense of what Ron and many other patients go through as they navigate
the cancer maze,” Liz says.
Christine Allen
Christine Allen, 69, is a breast cancer survivor of 31 years. Her choice of treatment was complementary medicine. Christine
worked for the School District of Philadelphia from 1965 to 1993. After retiring, she attended a class at the Free Library
of Philadelphia in Chinese Watercolor, an art form she describes as “healing in itself. It makes the mind and body and spirit
flow all together; you are healing at the time you are painting. The beautiful strokes that come from your brush help your
body to relax. My painting has won many awards. My soul is full of art to let out. Art is part of my spirit now.”
David Weisberg
David Weisberg is a World War II veteran, retired businessman, grandfather of seven, and a two-time cancer survivor – first,
of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and more recently, of kidney cancer. He works in a unique artistic medium called “Winterstone,”
which is a multi-component formulation with the characteristics of dry cement. Among various awards and honors, David has
been listed in Who’s Who of United States Artists. His sculpture on exhibit at the “Celebration of Life” is from a series entitled “Frondesence,” which means “leaf-like.”
There are three leaves in the composition, which provides fascinating shapes, multiple interesting negative spaces and dynamic
surface relationships. The sculpture has a bronze patina with color highlights.
John Sharkey
John Sharkey is a prostate cancer survivor of seven years. He has taken a series of photographs titled “Longwood Gardens Through
the Lens.” “The joy of photography helps us to appreciate the beautiful variety of flowers, bushes and trees that God has
put on this earth,” Mr. Sharkey says.
Ashley Burden
During the past three years, Ashley Burden has created over 150 paintings and drawings. She draws her inspiration primarily
from the strength and determination of her aunt, Karen Asper Jordan, who underwent a lumpectomy after being diagnosed with
breast cancer in 1996. “A registered oncology nurse, Karen’s own battle with cancer was not easy,” Ashley says. “Deep in her
heart, however, she knew she could overcome this illness and prevail. The faith and support of family and friends helped her
survive each day. Another source of strength came from a song by R. Kelly, ‘I Believe I Can Fly,’ which uplifted and empowered
Karen.”
Anita Cordero-Krohn
Anita Cordero-Krohn works in Thomas Jefferson University Hospital’s business office. She has created a series of paintings
dedicated to pediatric patients with cancer. Here, she is pictured with “A Priceless Moment,” her painting of a mother and
child, symbolizing cancer survivorship.
Artists Sought for Next Year’s “Celebration”
The Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson is now seeking artists to exhibit their work at its ninth annual “Celebration of Life,”
to be held in May 2008. For more information, contact Joy Soleiman, MPA, Clinical Administrator – phone: 215-955-5948; email – Joy.Soleiman@mail.jci.tju.edu.
Photos: Robert Neroni Photography
