Take a Step Toward Cancer Awareness

Cancer kills thousands of Americans each year. Although researchers and health care providers have made tremendous strides in the last 20 years, there is still much work to be done to save more lives.

Texas Tech Physicians invites artists, musicians, writers and photographers affected by cancer to participate in the second annual Art Heals Creative Expo. Art Heals will be a stop on the First Friday Art Trail from 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 4 at the Christine Devitt Icehouse, Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts, 502 Ave. J in Lubbock.

According to the American Cancer Society about 1,596,670 new cancer cases were to be diagnosed in 2011, and about 571,950 Americans were expected to die from the disease.

Art Heals is the creative brainstorm of Robert Casanova, M.D., an obstetrician and gynecologist with Texas Tech Physicians of Lubbock. Casanova said with so many people affected by cancer, education, early detection and treatment are key.

Art Heals will feature artwork by those touched by cancer and will include many art media like essays, poetry, painting, music, pottery, sculpture and jewelry. In addition, the Laura W. Bush Institute for Women’s Health and Texas Tech Physicians of Lubbock will have information available about cancer prevention and treatment.

Art Heals entries are being accepted until 5 p.m. Oct. 24. Each piece must include a short description of its meaning, and if desired, a photo of the artist and/or a photo of the person to whom the piece is dedicated.

Entries will be divided into three categories:

• Art Heals pieces of art done by those touched by cancer
• Heels for Healing pieces of art depicting heeled shoes of any kind, decorated heeled shoes of any kind or heeled shoes signed by local celebrities and/or public figures
• Children’s Art art done by children affected by cancer

For more information about Art Heals, or for an entry form, contact beth.phillips@ttuhsc.edu or suzanna.cisneros@ttuhsc.edu.