Winning Entry from Oncology On Canvas(SM) Art Competition Depicts Survivorship Despite...

Winning Entry from Oncology On Canvas(SM) Art Competition Depicts Survivorship
Despite Breast Cancer; Wholeness Despite Mastectomy
Regis and Joy Philbin Hosted Awards Ceremony

NEW YORK, Oct. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Created by a painter's knife
instead of a paintbrush, the acrylic painting, "As I Am, Beautiful and Whole,"
took first prize in the third biennial Oncology On Canvas(SM): Expressions of
a Cancer Journey Art Competition and Exhibition last night.
The awards presentation, held at New York City's The Altman Building, was
hosted by Regis ("Live With Regis and Kelly") and Joy Philbin. Oncology On
Canvas is presented by Eli Lilly and Company in partnership with the National
Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS).
Amid a backdrop of more than 300 acrylics, oils, pastels, photographs,
watercolors and mixed media entries, architect Nikko Shabtai, of Beverly
Hills, Calif., accepted the "Best of Exhibition" trophy. An award of $10,000
was donated to his cancer charity of choice, the Cancer Schmancer Foundation,
which was founded by actress Fran Drescher and educates women on the risk
factors and early detection of women's cancers.
In all, Lilly Oncology On Canvas awarded 26 prizes to 22 cancer charities
selected by the 19 winners in various categories.
Richard Gaynor, M.D., vice president of cancer research and global
oncology platform leader for Lilly, and Cathy Bonner, president and chief
executive officer of NCCS, presented the awards. The finale event also
launched a national tour of the artwork in hospitals, cancer centers, patient
advocacy group meetings and other venues, beginning with a free public exhibit
today at The Altman Building (log on to www.LillyOncologyOnCanvas.com to learn
more about Oncology On Canvas).
Shabtai's painting, entitled, "As I Am, Beautiful and Whole," depicts a
woman who appears to have undergone a mastectomy. But it didn't start out that
way. "I was painting the model in my painting workshop when I picked up my
knife instead of a brush and painted her without a breast," Shabtai explained.
Shabtai later realized that his subconscious inspiration for this piece
was the breast cancer diagnosis, and subsequent mastectomy, that a family
member had recently experienced. A fellow workshop participant noted that the
painting was perfect as is, and Shabtai found himself agreeing that the woman
he portrayed was, indeed, "beautiful and whole."
"I find painting incredibly liberating and therapeutic," said Shabtai.
"And I hope that this work offers a measure of hope to all who see it."
The artwork also won first prize in two additional categories -- "Best
Overall Entry by a Family Member, Friend or Caregiver" and "Best Acrylic Entry
by a Family Member, Friend or Caregiver" -- resulting in two additional $1,000
donations: one to weSPARK Cancer Support Center (a California-based center
that provides free support services to those affected by cancer), and the
other to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (a national organization dedicated
to increasing pancreatic cancer research, supporting patients and providing
hope).
Second prize in the "Best of Exhibition" category went to Elizabeth
Menges, an artist and high school art teacher from Boston, Mass., for her
artwork, "C. in Bedroom." Menges' work is a series of six small oil paintings
that detail the morning dressing routine of a breast cancer survivor who has
had a mastectomy. The work also won "Best Oil by a Family Member, Friend or
Caregiver."
Menges accepted a total donation of $6,000 on behalf of Cancer Connection,
based in Florence, Mass., a cancer support organization offering free support
programs that complement traditional medical treatments for patients, their
families and caregivers.
"Cancer, particularly for women who have undergone a mastectomy, can make
them feel vulnerable," said Menges. "My work attempts to honor their quiet
dignity and beauty."
There was a tie for third prize in the "Best of Exhibition" category
between "Moons In The Wind," a mixed media work created by Barbara E. Litke (a
New York City artist, art teacher and cancer survivor), and "Traces," a
photomontage by Nash Hyon (an artist from Wilton, Conn., whose husband
succumbed to lung cancer in 1992).
Litke's entry was also named "Best Overall Entry by a Person Diagnosed
with Cancer" and "Best Mixed Media by a Person Diagnosed with Cancer." Litke
accepted a donation of $2,500 on behalf of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer
Center (a leading cancer hospital and research facility in New York City), and
$2,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society -- New York City Chapter (an
organization that funds research and support for patients with leukemia,
lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma).
Hyon's entry was also awarded "Best Photograph by a Family Member, Friend
or Caregiver," and she accepted a donation of $3,500 for The Hole in the Wall
Gang Camp, founded by the late Paul Newman, which provides a camp experience
(free of charge) to children with cancer and other illnesses.
Oncology On Canvas was created by Lilly in 2004 to honor the journeys
people face when confronted by a cancer diagnosis. The biennial competition
invites people diagnosed with any type of cancer -- and their families,
friends, caregivers and health care providers -- to express, through art and
narrative, the life-affirming changes that give their cancer journey meaning.
Nearly 600 entries were submitted for the 2008 competition from the United
States and Puerto Rico.
"It is almost a misnomer to call this a competition," said NCCS's Bonner.
"Everyone who is a part of it takes something positive away from the
experience -- be it the relief of putting his or her feelings about cancer on
canvas, or the joy of eyeing a piece from the exhibition and thinking, 'I'm
not alone; someone else understands how I feel.'"
Lilly's Dr. Gaynor concurred: "We created Oncology On Canvas as a service
for those touched by cancer, but each year it is we who are inspired, humbled
and awed by the outpouring of art and expression."
National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS)
NCCS is a pioneer in the cancer survivorship movement, providing tools and
resources for people with cancer to navigate their experience and to advocate
for themselves. NCCS also advocates at the federal level for quality cancer
care for all Americans. For more information about NCCS, please visit
www.canceradvocacy.org or call 1.888.650-9127.
Lilly Oncology, a Division of Eli Lilly and Company
For more than four decades, Lilly Oncology has been dedicated to
delivering innovative solutions that improve the care of people living with
cancer. Because no two cancer patients are alike, Lilly Oncology is committed
to developing novel treatment approaches. Our quest is to develop a broad
portfolio of tailored therapies that accelerate the pace and progress of
cancer care. To learn more about Lilly Oncology's commitment to cancer, please
visit 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.
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Judy Kay Moore of Eli Lilly and Company, Office: +1-317-277-6265, Mobile:
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