Lilly Oncology Art Exhibition on Display at St. Mary Medical Center

Lilly-Oncology-On-Canvas-exhibit-2015Designed to encourage and empower those affected by cancer, the Lilly Oncology On Canvas: Expressions of a Cancer Journey will be on display at St. Mary Medical Center beginning in May. This annual art competition and exhibition provides a way for patients and their families to share their story through paintings, drawings, photography and mixed media.

Battling cancer involves treating the whole body, according to Donna Faitak, R.T. (R)(M)(QM) CBPN-IC, supervisor at St. Mary Medical Center’s Women’s Diagnostic Center. “Those fighting cancer are not only impacted physically, but emotionally as well,” she said. “Patients and their caregivers are encouraged to seek an outlet to help cope with the emotional toll of the disease. One outlet that can be utilized is art.”

As part of St. Mary Medical Center’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life and serving the needs of the community, hospital administration, physicians and professional staff requested to host the 2015 exhibition.

“The program provides a means for people to express what their fight with cancer has meant to them and how it has impacted their lives,” said Janice Ryba, CEO of St. Mary Medical Center. “We are honored to host this exhibition as a part of our pledge to support our patients through every avenue, helping them on the road to healing and beyond.”

The public is welcome to view the collection at the annual Cancer Survivors Day celebration, held from 1 to 3 p.m., Sunday, June 7 in the Waterfall Café courtyard at the hospital, 1500 S. Lake Park Avenue in Hobart. Festivities offered at the celebration will include a comedy show, seated yoga, a photo booth, chair massages and more. For more information and to pre-register for this free event, call 219-836-3477 or toll-free at 1-866-836-3477.

“Devastation and a feeling of loss of control over one’s health and life can interfere with the healing process of cancer patients,” Faitak continued. “It’s important to be able to express these feelings, to keep the mind positive.”

For more information about innovative quality cancer care at St. Mary Medical Center, visit www.comhs.org/stmary/oncology.asp.