U.S. Winners of Oncology on Canvas International Art Competition Announced at San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium
December 07 2004 - 7:16AM
PR Newswire (US)
U.S. Winners of Oncology on Canvas International Art Competition
Announced at San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium Awards Presented
for Artistic Expression of a Woman's Cancer Journey INDIANAPOLIS,
Dec. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Patients, caregivers and
healthcare providers are being honored today for their outstanding
artistic expressions of their cancer experience as part of Oncology
on Canvas: Expressions of a Women's Cancer Journey, an
international art competition, sponsored by Eli Lilly and Company.
Lilly honored three American artists for their winning work during
a reception and art showing held in conjunction with the San
Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium in San Antonio, Texas. More than
450 pieces of art from 23 countries, including the United States,
United Kingdom, Mexico, Hungary, South Africa, Turkey and India
were submitted for consideration. "Lilly Oncology is pleased to
present Oncology on Canvas because it brings to life our commitment
to make a difference in the lives of cancer patients, and this is
an example of how we can help patients beyond the medicines that we
provide," said Adrian Barfield, business director for Lilly
Oncology. "This program allows us to experience and celebrate the
strength of everyone involved in a woman's cancer journey."
Organizations such as the American Cancer Society, state there is
increasing recognition and support of art therapy for cancer
patients. Many clinicians have observed and documented the
emotional and physical improvements in patients who have
participated in some form of art therapy. San Antonio Viewing
Opportunities Following today's reception, select pieces from
Oncology on Canvas will be on display at various San Antonio
establishments in recognition of the San Antonio Breast Cancer
Symposium. Artwork can be seen from December 8 - 10 at the
following San Antonio locations: * Hyatt Regency Riverwalk *
Marriott Rivercenter * Boudros Restaurant and Wine Bar * Italia
Ristorante * San Antonio International Airport U.S. Winner Mrs.
Monica Barry, a registered nurse from Houston, TX, was honored as
the "Best of USA" and "Best Submission by a Health Care
Professional" for her work "Metamorphosis." Barry's work presents a
thoughtful portrayal of a woman with short post-therapeutic hair
growth and a pink ribbon over the area where her right breast used
to be. The soft lines and colors of the portrait amplify the words
taken from Barry's own narrative of her work, "Regardless of
mastectomy and chemotherapy, she has never lost her beauty and
conviction." Barry said the woman in her painting represents all
women that have battled breast cancer, but the true inspiration was
her mother-in-law who passed away in 1999 from breast cancer. "She
was my best friend and my confidant," said Barry. "She was the
woman that I wanted to be like. I did this painting for her." As
first prize winner, Barry was presented with an award check of $500
made payable to her cancer charity of choice. Barry has decided to
split the check evenly between The American Cancer Society and the
Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Other U.S. Winners Ms.
Janna Bernheim Bernstein of Memphis, TN was honored as the second-
place U.S. winner for her charcoal work entitled "Healing."
Bernheim Bernstein, a Fulbright Scholar and art teacher, and single
mother of three girls, was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 49
in August 2000. Her diagnosis came just three weeks after her
mother passed away from pancreatic cancer. Bernheim Bernstein said
she is grateful to Lilly for the art contest and its commitment to
finding new ways to treat cancer. "The advances that are made in
medicine, such as the ones that Lilly makes, are the reason people
are here today," said Bernheim Bernstein. "It was too late for my
mother, but these advances are here for me and others." Bernheim
Bernstein's winning picture entitled "Healing" is a reflective
piece featuring a bird wing and feathers. For her second place
award, an honorary check of $500 will be made payable to the Wings
Cancer Foundation of the West Cancer Clinic in Memphis, TN.
Bernheim Bernstein said the foundation was part of the guiding
inspiration for her artwork. She said she also found inspiration in
birds and wings as they represent her belief of being lifted up,
supported and transported above the illness and other earthly
endeavors. The work is actually one of four pieces that portray the
four stages of her cancer journey. The other three are entitled
"Approaching Storm," "Embraced," and "Strength." Ms. Doralee
Kimbrough of Garrison, TX was honored as the third-place U.S.
winner for a watercolor piece "Spiritual Awakening." Kimbrough, a
retired second-grade teacher, mother of three, and grandmother of
six, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001. Kimbrough's winning
piece is a vibrant watercolor of a tree and underground roots. The
tree, which symbolizes her body, appears to be void of life until
close examination of the tree and roots show otherwise. Kimbrough
said, "I entitled the work Spiritual Awakening because that is what
I experienced after I was diagnosed. I hope that is what others
experience when they look at my painting. I hope they look at the
work and get something from it that will help them as they go
through their cancer journey." Kimbrough chose to honor the Baylor
Charles A. Sammons Cancer Research Foundation in Dallas, TX with
her $500 award because of the commitment and support provided by
the staff during her diagnosis and treatment. She said that she was
concerned that her early signs of breast cancer were not
recognized, even after they showed up during a mammogram. It was
her husband's persistence that encouraged her to travel 350 miles
to Dallas, where oncologists at Baylor quickly tested and diagnosed
her with stage four lobular invasive carcinoma. "I want to honor
the Baylor Cancer Center because they took such good care of me,"
said Kimbrough." About Lilly Oncology Lilly Oncology, a division of
Eli Lilly and Company, is a world leader in cancer research and
treatment, with therapies that are considered a standard of care in
a number of difficult-to-treat tumor types built upon a vibrant and
cutting edge research platform driving therapeutic innovation.
Lilly Oncology is committed to delivering realistic solutions to
physicians, patients and payers that materially improve the course
of cancer care. With a promising pipeline of innovative products
built on strong scientific foundations, Lilly strives to
continually find ways to offer hope in the way of answers for
patients. Additional information about Lilly Oncology is available
at 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, Ind., Lilly provides
answers -- through medicines and information -- for some of the
world's most urgent medical needs. Additional information about
Lilly is available at http://www.lilly.com/ . Vital Options
International Lilly Oncology is grateful for the support of
Oncology on Canvas provided by Vital Options International. Vital
Options International is a not-for- profit cancer communications,
support and advocacy organization whose mission is to facilitate a
global cancer dialogue by using communications technology to reach
every person touched by cancer. Additional information about Vital
Options International is available at http://www.vitaloptions.org/
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Eli Lilly and Company CONTACT: Gregory Clarke of Lilly Oncology,
United States, +1-317-276-5222 office, or +1-877-892-7864 pager
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