About

The Twist Out Cancer Shop

Twist Out Cancer is an international nonprofit charitable organization that provides psychosocial support to individuals touched by cancer. All proceeds from the Twist Out Cancer Storefront will go to enabling participants to connect, share and heal. The more you shop our unique gifts and featured Brushes with Cancer art, the more resources that will be available to our community.

More About Twist Out Cancer

Twist Out Cancer (TOC) was built on the belief that when you share, the world opens up. At the age of 29, Jenna Benn Shersher was diagnosed with grey zone lymphoma—a rare form of cancer which affects less than 200 people in the United States. 

Midway through treatment, Jenna, a dancer at heart, was isolated due to her compromised immune system. Alone and longing for the days when she could dance freely, she created an online video of herself doing the twist. She asked her friends to join her on her virtual dance floor, and within days, Jenna’s challenge was met by hundreds of videos of thousands of people dancing around the world. She no longer felt alone but instead connected to and supported by a community of twisters, allowing her to heal.

When Jenna completed treatment she knew that she wanted to give back in a meaningful way. She recognized the power of sharing and the importance of creating a support community that caters to the psychosocial needs of those affected by cancer. Thus: Twist Out Cancer was born.

Brushes with Cancer

Brushes with Cancer is a signature program of Twist Out Cancer providing psychosocial support to individuals touched by cancer through creative arts programming. This unique celebration of survivorship and hope strategically pairs previvors, survivors, and caregivers with talented artists over a four month period. Those touched by cancer share their “twist on cancer” experience with the artist which is guided and supported by Twist Out Cancer volunteers.

 The final artwork, reflective of their personal journey with cancer, is revealed at a celebratory art exhibition, gala and auction. Since 2011, more than 350 art pieces have been created, touching over 30,000 individuals in the Ann Arbor, Austin, Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia, Montreal, Toronto, and Tel Aviv.