TORONTO, May 1, 2014 /CNW/ - "You have cancer." To an estimated 500* Canadians a day, their family, friends and caregivers, these three words change lives. To help Canadians manage through a cancer diagnosis, Eli Lilly Canada is launching Lilly Oncology On Canvas Canada, an art competition that honours the physical and emotional journeys Canadians face when dealing with cancer.
"A cancer diagnosis can be just as emotional as it is physical," says Dr. Joan Bottorff from the Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology. "It's so important to provide opportunities for people who have been touched by cancer to share their feelings. It can really make a meaningful difference in someone's ability to understand and deal with the realities of a cancer diagnosis."
Individuals who are, or have been diagnosed, with any type of cancer — as well as their families, friends, caregivers and healthcare providers — are invited to express the life-affirming changes that give their cancer journeys meaning through art and narrative. The deadline for entries is September 30, 2014. Additional information about the competition, including how to enter, can be found at www.lillyocc.com.
"Cancer survivors and those close to them have powerful stories to tell," says Jackie Manthorne, president and CEO of the Canadian Cancer Survivor Network. "We're thrilled to be part of an initiative that can bring inspiration and understanding to so many through the power of art."
The Lilly Oncology On Canvas Canada art competition is presented by Lilly Canada's Oncology team, the Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology (CAPO) and the Canadian Cancer Survivors Network (CCSN). Oncology On Canvas 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.
"In the United States, this competition has been helping people living with cancer and their supporters for ten years," says Nathan Hubbard, Eli Lilly Canada Oncology Business Unit lead. "We're excited to bring this competition to Canada for the first time and provide an opportunity for Canadians to share their journeys and draw from others who share their stories with us."
Entries will be shared online at www.lillyocc.com as well as on Twitter and Pinterest.
About the Lilly Oncology On Canvas Canada Art Competition
The Lilly Oncology On Canvas Canada art competition is open to residents of Canada who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory of residence as of September 30, 2014. Entrants must select the category that best describes their cancer journey - person diagnosed with cancer; family member, friend or caregiver; and healthcare professional - and the type of original artwork they are submitting: painting (acrylic, watercolor, oil, pastel), photography, or mixed media (a combination of two or more media). Artwork must be accompanied by a narrative of 125 words or less.
Winners in 15 categories will be chosen by an independent panel of judges selected by CAPO and CCSN. Prizes consist of donations to cancer-related charities selected by the winners, ranging from $250 to $2000.
For further information about Lilly Oncology On Canvas Canada visit www.lillyocc.com. You may also call 416-515-7517 ext. 350 or e-mail [email protected].
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About the Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology
The Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology (CAPO) is a national registered charity that promotes excellence in psychosocial care for people with cancer and their families throughout the cancer experience—from diagnosis to treatment to survivorship or end of life. CAPO works to transform cancer care wherever it is delivered—in hospital, in the community and in hospices.
CAPO is dedicated to empowering health care professionals to transform the cancer experience and improve the quality of life for millions of Canadians living with cancer through understanding, treatment and study of the social, psychological, emotional, spiritual and quality-of-life aspects of cancer. Visit www.capo.ca for more information.
About the Canadian Cancer Survivor Network
The Canadian Cancer Survivor Network (CCSN) works to connect patients, survivors and other stakeholder groups with decision makers and the wider community to engage in discussion and to act on evidence-based best practices to alleviate the medical, emotional, financial and social costs of cancer and encourage research on ways to overcome barriers to optimal cancer care and follow-up for survivors in Canada.Visit www.survivornet.ca for more information.
About Lilly Oncology
For more than five 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 Canada
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, Indiana, Lilly provides answers - through medicines and information - for some of the world's most urgent medical needs. Eli Lilly Canada, headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, employs more than 500 people across the country. Additional information about Eli Lilly Canada can be found at www.lilly.ca.
* 2013 figure from taken from: Canadian Cancer Statistics, 2013. Canadian Cancer Society. Available at http://www.cancer.ca/~/media/cancer.ca/CW/cancer%20information/cancer%20101/Canadian%20cancer%20statistics/canadian-cancer-statistics-2013-EN.pdf. Accessed March 20, 2014.
Image with caption: "Lilly Oncology On Canvas Canada (CNW Group/Eli Lilly Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140501_C6045_PHOTO_EN_39844.jpg
Image with caption: "Canadian Cancer Survivor Network (CNW Group/Eli Lilly Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140501_C6045_PHOTO_EN_39840.jpg
Image with caption: "Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology (CNW Group/Eli Lilly Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140501_C6045_PHOTO_EN_39838.jpg
Image with caption: "Lilly Oncology (CNW Group/Eli Lilly Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140501_C6045_PHOTO_EN_39842.jpg
SOURCE: Eli Lilly Canada
Jennifer Fleming (Lilly)
Phone: (416) 694-3221
[email protected]
April Gibson (Thornley Fallis)
Phone: 416-515-7517 x.323
[email protected]
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