Survivor
charcoal (pastel)
40" x 12"
2003
This drawing details the personal journey that my mother experienced when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001. I was a sophomore in high school at the time and it had a profound effect on me. I was and still am amazed at her courage, strength and resilience in the face of something so frightening and ugly as cancer. She is my source of inspiration and sharing her story is very important to me. The drawing has been hanging in her kitchen for the past 10 years. It serves as a reminder that she is a survivor; every day she is here with us is a gift. I am so blessed to have my mother and I feel sorrow for anyone who has experienced loss due to cancer. I will continue to support the efforts to find a cure so that more women affected by breast cancer can have their story continue happily like hers.
