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Two Young Women, Four Cancer Diagnoses, and One Relentless Photographer Form New Organization Dedicated to Raising Funds for Charity

MD/VA/DC-Based Art for Cure, Ltd., Debuts New Products for October Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Baltimore, Maryland - September 26, 2007 - Believing in the celebration of life and survivorship, Art for Cure, Ltd., a newly-formed company based in the Baltimore/Washington/Annapolis area, is introducing a line of art products where proceeds will go directly to organizations dedicated to aiding survivors of life-threatening diseases.

Art for Cure was founded by three professionals: a graphic designer, writer, and photographer who share common passions and whose skills and talents complement one another.

The collaboration started between 34-year-old two-time breast cancer survivor, Jennifer Tisch, a communications professional formerly with the National Institutes of Health who is now an independent consultant, and Bob Stockfield, a professional photographer who also donates his services to the Maryland affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The two were soon joined by Tisch’s friend, Jennifer Patrizio, a 41 year-old writer and survivor of both breast cancer and leukemia.

The trio is dedicated to providing a fundraising venue and distribution medium where survivors of life-threatening disease can express themselves through their artwork. “Being diagnosed with a life-threatening illness carries with it countless challenges, both physical and emotional, through diagnosis, treatment, recovery, and the new life after,” explains Tisch. “We want to encourage survivors who express their experiences through artwork to share their stories with the world.”

Adds Stockfield, “Art is also healing. Science is showing that artistic expression aids in healing by changing a person’s physiology from one of stress to one of relaxation, creativity and inspiration, putting the person in a state that affects the autonomic nervous system, hormones and brain neurotransmitters in a positive way.”

Their debut campaign created by the group’s three founders, features an original masterpiece and tribute to breast cancer survivorship appropriately named “Life Blooms”. Life Blooms is a collage of Stockfield’s photos of various pink flowers accompanied by Patrizio’s poetry and designed by Tisch. Two custom framed, limited edition archival prints of Life Blooms already raised $2700 at a Baltimore Magazine-sponsored reception for local women business executives. The proceeds were donated to the Maryland affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

The group is also offering variations of the collage printed on canvas, a modestly priced poster, and an elegant 2008 desk calendar. Tisch and Patrizio put their hearts into the desk calendar as well. The month at-a-glance custom-made calendar features individual photos of pink flowers from Life Blooms, candid photography of multicultural breast cancer survivors ranging in age from 23 to 57.

What sets Art for Cure’s products apart from all the other pieces in the pink-ribbon flooded market is the thought behind the pieces and the absence of the pink ribbon. “We are not just putting a ribbon on an existing product to increase sales. Our products are uniquely created by survivors themselves for the sole purpose of raising money to aid in fighting disease,” explains Patrizio. “When I was diagnosed, I received so many gifts with pink ribbons on them: pajamas, sweat-shirts, slippers, blankets, dog collars. Most of it just sat, unopened, in my closet because I had no use for it. Being on the receiving end of these types of gifts, we realized the need for something meaningful, yet useful.”

Tisch agrees. “When you’re diagnosed with a disease like this, loved ones don’t know what to do, so their first instinct is to give a gift. We wanted to create something very special that might give other survivors hope and inspiration if they were to receive it themselves.”

Although this first endeavor is a tribute to breast cancer survivors, Art for Cure’s founders intend to expand their foray to other life-threatening diseases, including heart, stroke, autoimmune, and more.
“Although cancer has certainly made an impact on the lives of my young co-founders, all three of us understand that survivorship is a part of every disease. And we want to celebrate all survivors,” says Stockfield.

And the group is being noticed. They were awarded “Hometown Heroes ” by Suburban Magazine, and will be featured on WJZ’s “On Time” with Kai Jackson in October for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Art for Cure’s products will be available through sales at Crofton Craft Fair on September 29, Old Town Bowie Street Festival September 30th, the Anne Arundel County Fall Craft Festival on October 6 and 7, at the Maryland Race for the Cure in Hunt Valley on Sunday, October 14, the Ulman Fund’s 10 Event in Columbia on October 27, and through the company’s website, www.artforcure.org.

Contact:
Jennifer Patrizio
jenniferpatrizio@artforcure.org
3000 Chestnut Ave, Suite 104
Baltimore, MD 21211
Ph: 301-758-2277
www.artforcure.org

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