Kristal Clegg
I wanted to be a Survivor Artist again because it allows me to use my creativity to support WBCC, as well as hang out with my amazingly beautiful survivor sisters! My Rare Chair Affair experience in 2012 was inspiring and it gave me the opportunity to challenge myself and have fun doing it. I am thrilled to have been asked back and I look forward to seeing my talented sisters and their wonderfully rare chairs.
Since my initial diagnosis, my survivorship has been about . . .
Living, Loving and Laughing. There’s nothing like cancer to force you to figure out who you are. . . . But once that happens, you can live life to the fullest, love every minute of it and laugh till you fall over. That sounds like a great life to me!
Jo DeMars
Over the past ten years I found the mission and the accomplishments of the Wisconsin Breast Cancer Coalition are exemplary and are “close to my heart”. I am an Encore Survivor Artist because I want to see WBCC continue and to thrive!
WBCC was there for me when the days seemed the darkest. It propped me up and gave me a reason to fight back, and a goal to fight for: to end breast cancer (and all cancer).
WBCC introduced me to the world of evidence based medicine, to healthcare advocacy and to other breast cancer survivors. Through WBCC support and encouragement I was privileged to attend numerous National Breast Cancer Advocacy Training conferences, and to three Project LEAD programs. I now have the knowledge to share, I have the courage to advocate and I have the ability to truly make a difference in people’s lives – the cancer patients, their families and loved ones, and the communities.
Once, at a Project LEAD seminar, I was asked to introduce myself and to explain why advocacy was important to me. I thought of the other survivors I had met – some are still with us and , sadly, some are not. I thought of the poor, the less educated, the shy and the unnoticed. I answered that I am an advocate because those of us who can must speak up for those who cannot. We have a worthy goal, and I am committed to it.
Since my initial diagnosis, my survivorship has been about . . .
Advocacy and helping facilitate change to provide the best healthcare at the most affordable price.
Karen Dubis
I love working with the other survivors and being able to help raise more money for a great organization – the WBCC!
Since my initial diagnosis, my survivorship has been about . . .
. . . life and living and knowing that I am so loved. I value every moment of my life. I am so blessed. I thank God for the opportunity to stay here a little bit longer.
Camellia Givens
I wanted to be a survivor artist again to help support the survivor network in raising money and awareness about breast cancer.
Since my initial diagnosis, my survivorship has been about . . .
Living life and about family
Melissa Hodik
I wanted to be a Survivor Artist again because I enjoy working with all the other survivors and it is a way to give back for all I have been given.
Phyllis Holder
I wanted to be a Rare Chair Survivor Artist again because I experienced so much peace and comfort from expressing my feelings with the art that I created in 2007. I wish I owned my “sunburst” chair. It was colorful and full of sparkle and light. A joyous piece to gaze upon and reflect about. I felt victorious! It represented how much I encouraged myself and how much I depended on God’s grace and mercy. Back then, as I moved through treatment and became active in breast cancer advocacy and education, I reveled in being tagged as one of the happiest people the nurses ever saw in the chemo clinic, Now at times I wonder where I put my rose colored glasses while thanking God at all times for such grace and mercy.
Since my initial diagnosis, my survivorship has been about . . .
discovering what’s next. When will there be truly epic leading edge “from the lab to the clinic” discoveries that give quality years versus miserable months to the hundreds living with advanced cancer? Will we come close to ending breast cancer by 2020? My survivorship has been about not dropping out and continuing my education and participation in discussions and organizations beyond myself . . . speaking, participating as a consumer research reviewer, going to conferences including the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, completing NBCC’s Project Lead and other higher learning opportunities in order to understand and sort through developments and recommendations. My survivorship has been about helping as many women and their families as I can live and enjoy life to the fullest . . . as an example, as a mentor, as a shocker absorber, as a risk-taker, as perseverance personified, as a support group leader, as a jokester, cheerleader, prayer partner, as a telephone call away encourager. Since my initial diagnosis my survivorship has been about standing up to cancer and for myself. My life has been about dancing for, smiling about and thanking God for the angels encamped around me to protect and carry me on and through.
Pam Radaj
This is my 3rd time and I was thrilled to be asked to join this year. This is an awesome event and I am so happy to be able to contribute to it. Since I don’t have cash to give I am more than happy to share what talents I have.
Since my initial diagnosis, my survivorship has been about . . .
Living my life from day to day and not worrying that every little tweek and twinge is going to be my cancer coming back!
Holly Schulz
I am flattered that I was asked to create another chair for the Rare Chair Affair auction. Since my last time, I have taken note of the hard work the WBCC has continued to do and the beautiful works of art the ladies have created and I’m so happy to be a part of that again and be surrounded by that energy.
Since my initial diagnosis, my survivorship has been about . . .
Mentoring others through their own personal journey.
Dana Stewart
My first experience as a survivor artist in 2011 was so inspiring. I was inspired by all the other fabulous survivor artist and I was inspired by what I found within myself. Creating the chairs was amazing therapy for me. Going through cancer was harder than anything I have done. Dealing with the aftermath is still near impossible however, but seeing others like me surviving and thriving while showing off their creativity keeps me going.
Since my initial diagnosis, my survivorship has been about . . .
Living life. I always thought I was living my best life, but after cancer I realized I wasn’t enjoying it as it was meant to be enjoyed. I don’t wait to do things anymore and I go after what I want. I take time to savor all the things I used to take for granted.
Laura Stratte
I want to again be survivor artist for the Rare Chair Affair because it’s one way I can support the Wisconsin Breast Cancer Coalition. This organization does so much to influence breast cancer policy and research. Most recently, they have been instrumental in helping stop a massive change in the Wisconsin Well Women Program that could have detrimentally affected the health care of thousands of Wisconsin women, and they are currently developing educational outreach programs to help inform the public about the environmental link to breast cancer. I love what this organization has done and is doing, and I want them to be around for a long time!
Since my initial diagnosis, my survivorship has been about . . .
My survivorship has morphed in the six years I’ve been a cancer survivor. At first, survivorship was about healing and finding a way to move forward. Then, it was extremely important to me to give back by providing support to fellow survivors, especially other young women, as well as becoming an advocate for research and health care as it directly relates to breast cancer and women’s health issues. Now, I’ve actually taken a step back. Although I work with breast cancer patients every day as a nurse navigator, MY breast cancer is no longer a main focus in my life. I’ve gone through the dark tunnel of cancer, have come out on the other side, and I don’t want to look back. My survivorship now is simply my life, and it feels great!
Melissa Tabler
I wanted to be a survivor artist again because is was such a amazing experience for me back in 2012. I felt honored to be able to give back to the Wisconsin Breast Cancer Coalition.
Since my initial diagnosis, my survivorship has been about . . .
It’s been about living and enjoying what life throws at you. It’s about family and friends. It’s about stopping and smelling the roses. It’s about loving life!
Marge Vetter
Every year I hear about a friend or family member that is going through breast cancer. I want to do whatever I can to help them and to put an end to breast cancer soon! This year I am painting a child’s chair. The child that sits in this chair and the generation to follow I want to grow up without ever hearing the words “breast cancer” and see breast cancer as Polio is to us. Was here, a terrible thing, found a cure and long gone.
Since my initial diagnosis, my survivorship has been about . . .
Keeping my faith. Doctors, self, others.
Jianne Wade
I wanted to be a survivor artist again because I love the journey of the artisitic evolution, It parallels with the journey of wellness. You take what feels destroyed or damaged and give it life and beauty. The focus becomes the beauty of the journey, and how you come to see it. I am honored and grateful to be a survivor artist and for the evolution of the journey and gift it gives.
Since my initial diagnosis, my survivorship has been about . . .
My survivorship has been about balancing my life, making each moment matter, respecting everyone’s journey, loving my life in all of its forms, believing in the beauty of each day and thanking life for all of what it has to offer.
Clarice Zucker
I am proud to be one of the original founders of Wisconsin Breast Cancer Coalition and have donated art work for the Rare Chair Affair for many years. As a survivor of twenty-three years and again of a recurrence of three years I am so pleased to be in the company of such brave and talented women.
Since my initial diagnosis, my survivorship has been about . . .
Living life to the fullest! Taking good physical and emotional care of myself. Becoming more informed and passing that information on to my two daughters and granddaughters.
Kyle Zubatsky
In His Presence (Inspired by the Montgomery Redwood Reserve in California)
My chair is a composite of branches that have been assembled to form a chair. Each of these branches is creatively decorated to represent how, as women, we magically branch out into everything we set out to create, give and receive: our lives, our relationships, our family and careers, our spiritual life, etc
Phil Cloninger
Spring Eternal
Over the last decade I have very much enjoyed helping out with the Rare Chair Affair. I first became involved because of a good friend and neighbor, Linda Weide. Initially I helped by donating pieces of furniture and chairs to be auctioned, and later became a technical advisor to the remarkable breast cancer survivors who creatively transform chairs into pieces of art for this very important cause. I have enjoyed getting to know the cancer survivor artists, both young and not so young, especially Pat Skowronski, who, through her great talent and dedication, has helped see many, many event chairs through to completion. Again this year, I am honored to be part of another wonderful, inspiring Rare Chair affair event in designing a chair featuring stained glass for auction.