Lilly Oncology on Canvas (LOOC) has provided individuals affected by cancer with an opportunity to share their stories through art and narrative. Since its founding in 2004, in partnership with the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship, thousands of LOOC participants have been inspired to share their journey with countless others.

A Patchwork of Opportunities was originally painted by a person diagnosed with cancer, and published through the LOOC program in 2010. The artist was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in December 2008. At that time in their life, they considered this to be one the most inspiring gifts that most people never get to experience. Their diagnosis allowed them to become a member of the social network of chemotherapy, which changed their life. Their painting expresses a patchwork of emotions while traveling the journey of cancer. According to the artist, a bare tree is what you may be left with at times, but there is always love and friendship at the beginning and end of life.