Fifth Lilly Oncology on Canvas Art Competition Invites All Touched by Cancer to Share Their Cancer Journeys

INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Get your canvases, paintbrushes and cameras ready -- the subject is cancer and you are the storyteller. Lilly Oncology and the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) today announced the launch of the 2012 Lilly Oncology On Canvas: Expressions of a Cancer Journey Art Competition and Exhibition. The biennial competition invites individuals from the United States and Puerto Rico, who were diagnosed with any type of cancer -- as well as their families, friends, caregivers and healthcare providers -- to express, through art and narrative, the life-affirming changes that give their cancer journeys meaning. Entries must be postmarked by June 29, 2012. 

Oncology On Canvas^SM was launched in 2004 by Lilly Oncology to help those affected by cancer cope with the emotional side of the disease. Winners' prizes consist of donations made to the cancer charities of their choice. Following the competition, much of the artwork embarks on a tour of cancer centers, hospitals and patient advocacy group events.

Since its inception, Lilly Oncology On Canvas has received more than 3,600 entries. However, these 3,600 stories are but a few of the many waiting to be told by the nearly 12 million cancer survivors alive today in the U.S. alone[i] -- in addition to millions of others who love and care for them, according to Newt Crenshaw, vice president, Lilly Oncology.

"If you or someone you care for has heard the three words, "You have cancer," then you know firsthand that a cancer diagnosis can change the lives of patients and everyone around them," said Crenshaw. "Lilly Oncology On Canvas has become an important way for cancer patients, oncologists, oncology nurses and so many others to share their stories of hope and despair, loss and survival, and countless other emotions." 

"We are whole people, comprised of biological, spiritual, emotional and psychological parts," said Richard Payne, M.D., NCCS Chair, and an internationally known expert in the areas of pain relief, care for those near death, oncology and neurology. "Oncology On Canvas recognizes this fact by providing anyone affected by cancer with a platform to express often unspoken emotions, resulting in artwork that moves and inspires." 

Call for Entries Details

The 2012 Lilly Oncology On Canvas competition is open to residents of the United States and Puerto Rico. There are three entrant categories: person diagnosed with cancer; family member, friend or caregiver; and healthcare professional. Original artwork that depicts one's cancer journey may be submitted in one of six media: watercolor, oil, pastel, photography, acrylic or mixed media. The artwork must be accompanied by a narrative.  

Winners in 24 categories will be chosen by an independent panel of judges. Prizes consist of donations to cancer-related charities selected by the winners, ranging from $1,000 to $10,000. Following the competition, much of the artwork will embark on a tour of cancer centers, hospitals and patient advocacy group events.  

For further information about Lilly Oncology On Canvas, including official rules, entry forms and a gallery of previous entries that will inspire you, visit www.LillyOncologyOnCanvas.com. You may also call 1-866-991-LOOC (5662) or e-mail [email protected].

You can follow Lilly Oncology On Canvas on Twitter (twitter.com/LlyOncOnCanvas), Facebook (www.facebook.com/LillyOncologyOnCanvas) and YouTube (www.youtube.com/LlyOncOnCanvas). To learn more about cancer survivorship tools and resources, visit the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) website at www.canceradvocacy.org.

About the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship 

Founded by and for cancer survivors, the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) advocates for quality cancer care for all people touched by cancer and provides tools and resources that empower people to advocate for themselves. NCCS believes patients empowered with information and tools can receive optimal care by making their needs known to their doctors and care teams. Provided at no cost to the survivor, NCCS offers publications and resources such as the award-winning Cancer Survival Toolbox^®, a self-learning audio program created by leading cancer organizations to help people develop essential skills to meet the challenges of their illness. NCCS strongly believes in evidence-based advocacy that reflects the needs of all cancer survivors to affect policy change at the national level. By advocating for patient-centered, coordinated care through treatment planning and care planning, NCCS is ensuring that the needs of cancer survivors remain at the center of healthcare policy. Since 2004, NCCS has been the co-presenter of the Lilly Oncology On Canvas Art Competition and Exhibition. More information is available at www.canceradvocacy.org or 1-888-650-9127.

About Lilly Oncology

For more than four decades, Lilly Oncology, a division of Eli Lilly and Company, 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. 

About Eli Lilly and Company

Lilly, a leading innovation-driven corporation, is developing a growing portfolio of 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.

[i] American Cancer Society, Cancer Facts & Figures 2011, http://www.cancer.org/Research/CancerFactsFigures/CancerFactsFigures/cancer-facts-figures-2011. Accessed July 6, 2011.  

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