Lilly Oncology on Canvas
Lilly Oncology on CanvasSM: Expressions of a Cancer Journey is an art competition and exhibition created in 2004 to honor the journeys people face when confronted with a cancer diagnosis. The biennial competition invites people diagnosed with any type of cancer, their families, friends, caregivers, and healthcare providers to express, through art and narrative, the life-affirming changes that give their cancer journey meaning. The result is a unique and touching art collection that affords people around the world the opportunity to view the universal range of emotions of a cancer journey, such as fear, hope, sorrow, relief, and courage.
For more information on entering the competition and to receive a participant pack, please call: (800) 734-4131 or visit www.LillyOncologyOnCanvas.com.
Lilly Oncology on Canvas is presented by Eli Lilly and Company in partnership with the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship.
The Inaugural Years
Oncology on Canvas was launched in 2004 as a way to honor the journeys undertaken by women when confronted with a cancer diagnosis. The first competition received more than 400 pieces of art from 23 countries. In 2005, the art began a world tour that reached millions of people in more than 100 cities throughout the world.
The Journey Continues
In 2006, Lilly Oncology on Canvas was opened to anyone impacted by cancer. As a result, more than 2,000 pieces of art – 2,151 in total – from 43 countries were received for the global competition and exhibition.
Entries were received in the categories of: oil, watercolor, acrylic, photography, pastel and mixed media.
- Lined from end to end, the art and narratives span the length of 14 football fields
- In 2006, 492 pieces of art were received from entrants in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, marking a ten-fold increase from the 2004 competition.
- The majority of U.S. entries came from people diagnosed with cancer, followed by: family members, friends and caregivers
The art from the 2006 Lilly Oncology on Canvas competition is currently on a world tour, inspiring and lending hope to people in nearly 200 cities, stopping at cancer centers, hospitals, physician offices, and advocacy group headquarters. View the winning pieces.
Building on the Legacy
On November 15, 2007, Oncology on Canvas launched its third competition, which is open to all U.S. and Puerto Rico residents. An independent panel of judges, comprised of the art director, cancer survivors, leading oncologists, journalists and representatives from patient advocacy groups will select three top prize winners in the competition. Prizes consist of money donated directly to the cancer charity of the winners' choice.
For more information on entering the competition and to receive a participant pack, please call: (800) 734-4131 or visit www.LillyOncologyOnCanvas.com.
‘Long Day’s Journey into Night’- Scarves and Ties NOW AVAILABLE
Eli Lilly and NCCS partnered to produce silk scarves and neck ties which beautifully reproduce a 2004 oil painting submission titled ‘Long Day’s Journey into Night.’ The artist is a family member of a cancer survivor and describes his/her painting below.
‘Fear, devastation, alone - all words describing the beginning of a woman’s cancer journey. I have chosen to portray the middle leg. Their world is still upside down. Night is the cancer that engulfs them. The woman is the moon. Hope is represented by the glimmering stars and greenery. The woman’s courage and desire to fight is shown because she has thrust the cloud of isolation aside and exposed herself to be able to accept help from others. The ‘others’ - family, friends, medical personnel, are the trees reaching through the darkness to comfort, cry, cheer and encourage the reluctant traveler.’
All proceeds from the sale of these scarves and ties will support NCCS’s pursuit for quality cancer care for all Americans. Order one today.




