November 1-30, Ochsner Exhibits Cancer Patients' Art Work

NEW ORLEANS, Nov. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- The entire month of November 2009, Ochsner Medical Center is honored to display the Lilly Oncology On Canvas, a free, public art exhibit featuring works by actual cancer patients. The show is designed to honor the physical and emotional journeys people face when confronted by a cancer diagnosis. The 45-piece Ochsner exhibit, which includes several Louisiana artists, is on display 24 hours, 7 days a week at 1514 Jefferson Highway, New Orleans in the hospital's 1st floor Art Walk. Ochsner will host an opening reception on Thursday, November 5 at 4pm in the hospital atrium with speakers from the Ochsner Cancer Institute.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091103/DA04283)

Lilly Oncology On Canvas was launched in 2004, received more than 400 pieces of art from 23 countries, and began a world tour in 2005 that reached millions of people in more than 100 cities. Following its initial success, the 2006 program received more than 2,000 pieces of art and toured nearly 200 cities worldwide. The 2008 competition, which is currently touring cancer centers, hospitals, patient advocacy group meetings and other venues nationwide, included 26 prizes awarded to 20 different cancer charities selected by the 19 winners in categories including:

• From hope to fear
• The loss of individualism
• Support of family and friends
• Memory of those lost
• Perseverance of those who survive
  

In addition to displaying the 2008 competition winners, Ochsner is also hosting the Lilly competition in which individuals diagnosed with any type of cancer and family members are encouraged to express, through art, the life-affirming changes that give their cancer journeys meaning. Entries will be accepted through June 2010.

The competition, which selects the winning artworks to tour the world, occurs every two years (biennial). The current competition began in 2009, ends in June 2010, and is open to all U.S. and Puerto Rico residents. Winners are selected by an independent panel of judges, including past winners, cancer survivors, leading oncologists, journalists, patient advocacy groups, and the competition art director. The end result is a compelling art collection that provides insights into the wide range of emotions experienced by those touched by cancer.

For further information on Lilly Oncology On Canvas, including how to enter the 2010 competition, call (866) 991-LOOC (5662) or visit www.LillyOncologyOnCanvas.com.

About Lilly: Lilly Oncology On Canvas is presented by Lilly USA, LLC, a pharmaceutical company committed to advancing cancer research and treatment, in partnership with the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS), which advocates for quality cancer care for all Americans and provides tools and resources that empower people affected by cancer to advocate for themselves.