Twist Out Cancer and Brushes with Cancer

Recently I had the amazing opportunity to attend Twist out Cancer’s Brushes with Cancer 2017 Chicago gala.  It was an incredible night created by Twist’s founder Jenna Benn Shersher and her amazing board and supporters.  Jenna and her crew brought together over 700 people for a night full of laughter, love, emotion, talking and dancing.  

Twist Out Cancer creates a community of cancer survivors, fighters, and supporters, to provide each other with unique challenges and connections.  Additionally, every year Brushes with Cancer pairs a cancer patient, survivor or caretaker to an artist, who work together to depict their individual journey.  This artwork is displayed at the Brushes with Cancer galas, where these participants enjoy a night to celebrate everything that they have been through with an art auction, great food, amazing music, and more.

I am fortunate enough to have gone to high school with Jenna. We reconnected when my father Arnie was going through cancer.  When Shop4ties wanted to start a new program to create more awareness and raise money for non-profit organizations, Jenna was quick to say yes and jump on board.  Over the past year, we have spent a lot of time catching up and brainstorming ways in which Shop4ties could contribute.  Because of this, we launched our non-profit initiative as a pre-sales campaign to create Twist Out Cancer branded ties, scarves, and more, with 50% of the profits benefiting TOC.  

For this Brushes with Cancer event, we created something to honor both an artist and cancer survivor.  We took Rena Grosser’s painting “This too shall Pass” in honor of Dani Peress and transformed it into a silk scarf.  This we gave this artisan scarf to both the artist and survivor.  We also sold it at the event as well to continue fundraising.    We plan to create unique scarves, ties, and bow ties for each of the different Brushes with Cancer Events.

Jenna is following her passion and truly making a difference in the world.  During her speech about TOC’s beginnings, I considered how I can contribute and help others even more.  I am honored to say that I have now joined Twist Out Cancer’s board, to help further their mission. I am sure this organization has a profound impact on many people and will continue to do so for a long time.  

Congratulations Jenna and team, keep on doing more of what you already do!