ART

Over the course of four workshops participants created and rehearsed their unique stories for the final community storytelling event. Our teaching artists Dusty and Stephanie guided participants in thoughtful exercises to unearth what stories they needed to tell. Once they developed the key events of their stories, participants shared their stories with one another and supported each other with constructive feedback. Participants also engaged in deep listening exercises and reflected on that experience as both a listener and speaker. On December 12, 2023 eight participants shared their stories publicly at the Grand Story Slam.

Advocacy

Participants' stories reflected on the importance of cancer research, surviving, and advocating for your rights as a patient and/or caretaker. The storytellers promoted the theme “The best protection is early detection. Get screened” as a call to action. In their final Grand Story Slam, the group discovered that there was power in telling their real stories; the bravery they showed in sharing their stories with vulnerability, humor and candor, made people listen with greater empathy and attention.

Community

The process of developing their stories gave participants valuable time to reflect on their experiences with cancer and all the ways it has touched their lives. In sharing those stories with one another they built a stronger sense of community. The deep listening exercises enhanced that connection and emboldened their communication with new tools. Throughout the rehearsal process the storytellers became each other's peer mentors and offered uplifting praise and helpful critique as they each crafted their stories. The final Grand Story Slam brought the storytellers and audience together to uplift the cancer survivor community.

Ralph Stowe

Tamara Horn