When Words Fail ... Cancer Patients Unite to Express Their Journeys on Canvas
16 November 2007 - 12:00AM
PR Newswire (US)
Lilly Oncology on Canvas(SM) Announces 2008 Call for Entries for
International Art Competition and Exhibition PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 15
/PRNewswire/ -- When words fail, expressing a thought or feeling
through art can liberate, lend support and offer strength. To aid
in the development of these important intangibles and pay tribute
to the millions affected by cancer, Eli Lilly and Company opens the
2008 Lilly Oncology on Canvas(SM): Expressions of a Cancer Journey
International Art Competition and Exhibition. The call for entries
was announced at the opening of a Lilly Oncology on Canvas exhibit
at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. This marks the third
biennial competition that continues to provide people around the
world the opportunity to express visually and in narrative the
emotions and experiences that define the cancer journey. "When we
launched Lilly Oncology on Canvas in 2004, we hoped to create an
international forum for those affected by cancer to express the
hopes and fears that come with a cancer diagnosis," said Richard
Gaynor, M.D., vice president, cancer research and global oncology
platform leader for Lilly. "With over 43 countries participating in
the last competition, we are proud of the legacy that this program
has created, especially in highlighting the importance of treating
the whole patient. Ultimately, our goal is to listen and offer hope
to all those who have been affected by cancer." Fox Chase is
hosting an exhibit, which is open to the public, from November 15 -
30, 2007. Lilly Oncology on Canvas is presented in the United
States by Lilly, in partnership with the National Coalition for
Cancer Survivorship (NCCS). The call for entries occurs during
National Lung Cancer Awareness Month. In 2007, the American Cancer
Society estimates that 213,380 Americans will be newly diagnosed
and 160,390 Americans will succumb to lung cancer, resulting in
more deaths each year than breast cancer, prostate cancer and colon
cancer combined.(i) "As oncologists, we do our best to provide our
patients the latest, most successful therapeutic options," said
Corey J. Langer, M.D., Medical Director of Thoracic Oncology at Fox
Chase Cancer Center. "The Lilly Oncology on Canvas art collection
speaks to our responsibility to support our patients emotionally
during their battle with cancer. The artwork depicts the journeys
undertaken by those with a variety of cancers, including the
frequently overlooked journeys of lung cancer patients, who may
feel stigmatized by their illness." The 2006 competition saw more
than 2,000 pieces of art entered from 43 countries, culminating in
two finale events and exhibitions. One held at the Metropolitan
Pavilion in New York City, hosted by Regis Philbin, and the other
at the Royal College of Art in London, England. The 2006 'Best of
the United States' winner was the photograph "This is Not a Dress
Rehearsal," by Anne Wilson of Morganton, North Carolina. The
photograph features Wilson's late daughter Katherine just seven
months after Katherine, a non-smoker, was diagnosed with lung
cancer at the age of 23. The photograph portrays a smiling
Katherine and her dad playfully removing their hats to display
their bald heads - Katherine's from her cancer treatments and her
dad's a result of his sympathetic shaving. Following her diagnosis,
Katherine not only earned her nursing degree, but was also inducted
into The Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International.
In addition, Katherine traveled extensively with friends and family
who considered her an inspiration. In February 2005, Katherine
succumbed to her illness, five years after diagnosis, at the age of
28. "I am honored to be in Philadelphia to help kick off the third
Lilly Oncology on Canvas competition," said Wilson. "With this
photograph touring the world with Lilly Oncology on Canvas, I feel
like Katherine's legacy lives on, and I encourage all those
impacted by cancer to think about the legacy they want to build and
to take that photograph or paint that picture." More than 10
million individuals currently living in the U.S. have, at one time,
heard the alarming news that they have cancer. As those individuals
went on a cancer journey, so did their oncologists, nurses, family
members, friends and caregivers. On behalf of those 10 million
individuals, the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship has
been a partner on Lilly Oncology on Canvas from the competition's
origins. "We look at Lilly Oncology on Canvas as an expression of
survivorship," said Ellen Stovall, president and CEO of NCCS. "We
are proud to continue our association with the program." The art
from the 2006 Lilly Oncology on Canvas is currently on a world
tour, inspiring and lending hope to the cancer journey. To date,
the tour has made 175 stops at cancer centers, hospitals, physician
offices and advocacy groups throughout the world. "We would like to
thank our partner the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
and Fox Chase Cancer Center for hosting the exhibit and for their
commitment to progress in cancer care," said Lilly's Dr. Gaynor.
The Competition - Lilly Oncology on Canvas All entries for the 2008
competition must be received by the U.S. Art Director no later than
June 30, 2008. Entries can be from any of six different art media:
oil; watercolor; acrylic; photography; pastel; and mixed media (any
other type of one-dimensional art). Submitted artwork must be at
least 12" x 12" and no larger than 17" x 26". There are three
participant categories from which people can enter the competition:
person diagnosed with cancer; health care professional (e.g.,
doctor, nurse, pharmacist, lab technician, etc.); and family
member, friend or caregiver. An independent panel of judges,
comprised of the art director, cancer survivors, leading
oncologists, journalists and representatives from patient advocacy
groups will select three top prize winners in the global
competition. The global prize winners will be awarded prize money
to be donated directly to a cancer charity of their choice: 1st
prize - $10,000, 2nd prize - $5,000 and 3rd prize - $2,500 (for
winners outside of the U.S., the prize will be awarded in the local
currency equivalent). Additionally, the global competition will
select winners from each medium and participant category, with the
winners awarded the equivalent of $1,000. Additionally, prizes will
be awarded to the top three entries from the U.S. Winners will be
awarded prize money to be donated directly to a cancer charity of
their choice: 1st prize - $10,000, 2nd prize - $5,000 and 3rd prize
- $2,500. The competition is subject to applicable laws and
regulations. For more information about the Lilly Oncology on
Canvas International Art Competition and Exhibition or to obtain an
entry form and contest criteria please call (800) 734-4131.
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 http://www.canceradvocacy.org/ or
call 1.877.NCCS.YES. Fox Chase Cancer Center (FCCC) Fox Chase
Cancer Center is an independent, nonprofit institution formed in
1974 by the union of American Oncologic Hospital (the nation's
first cancer hospital, established in 1904) and the Institute for
Cancer Research (founded in 1927). Fox Chase is one of the few
facilities in the country devoted entirely to cancer care. Fox
Chase is also involved in developing trials to test new agents that
may prevent cancer in high-risk individuals. Combining research in
many disciplines with patient care enables Fox Chase to translate
new research findings into medical applications that may become
models for improved cancer care. Lilly Oncology, a Division of Eli
Lilly and Company For more than four decades, Lilly Oncology has
been collaborating with cancer researchers to deliver innovative
treatment choices and valuable programs to patients and physicians
worldwide. Inspired by the courageous patients living with cancer,
Lilly Oncology is providing treatments that are considered global
standards of care and developing a broad portfolio of novel
targeted therapies to accelerate the pace and progress of cancer
care. To learn more about Lilly's commitment to cancer, please
visit http://www.lillyoncology.com/. 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. (1) American Cancer Society,
"What Are the Key Statistics About Lung Cancer?", October 15, 2007.
Available at:
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_1x_What_Are_the_Key_Statisti
cs_About_Lung_Cancer_15.asp?sitearea=. Accessed October 30, 2007.
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http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031219/LLYLOGO
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http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050921/NCCSLOGO DATASOURCE:
Eli Lilly and Company CONTACT: Amy Sousa (Lilly), Office:
+1-317-276-8478, Mobile: +1-317-997-1481, ; or Neil Hochman of CPR
Worldwide, Office: +1-212-453-2067, Mobile: +1-516-784-9089,
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