Categories: Hazel Rosetta Smith,
Good mental health is as important to survivorship as is the overall treatment of diseases. Having a passion or a hobby that brings personal joy and distraction from dwelling on the fears of illness is urgent throughout recovery.
The Children’s Art Carnival on Hamilton Terrace is the home base for the most unique artistic handiwork of Wilhelmina Grant Cooper, Founder of SISTAAH Studio. Wilhelmina has intentionally allowed her light to shine through art every moment of the thirty-one years she has been a cancer survivor.
April was National Minority Cancer Awareness Month and once again Wilhelmina opened her studio and her heart to celebrate and recognize those who have sojourned the road through cancer and are thriving in their individual endeavors.
“We are proud to celebrate the resilience of our community and raise awareness around the importance of early cancer detection particularly in communities that face systemic health inequities. Through art, conversation, and wellness practices, we offer space for healing and empowerment,” says Sistaah Wilhelmina.
As a cancer survivor, I was honored to accept the invitation to speak, hoping my words would be a source of inspiration. I was in grand company on a program that included: Mistress of Ceremonies Margratta Samuel, Gratitude Blessing & Remembrance of Ancestors by Rev. Iya Karen Stowe.
Andrea Cleveland, PhD of Urban Healing Circle presented a remarkable Sound Bath Relaxation Experience. Poignant words of hope by Faterneh Parvin, MD Breast Surgical Oncology Fellow from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Care offered words of hope and informative information on the latest breast cancer treatments and prognosis. Sabrina Sahara led the group singing a heartfelt rendition of “Lean on Me.”
An exhibit of the diverse artwork created by participants of SISTAAH Studio’s weekly O.Y.E. (Open Your Eyes) art workshops was unveiled, Chef Brandy Cochrane presented a plant-based dessert demo and tasting and presented copies of her book, The Plant-Based Handbook (Improve Your Health with Plants) as a raffle prize, in addition to a grand prize raffle drawing of a fully stacked basket of healthy products and in-depth cancer literature.
Support is necessary on the totem pole of survivorship and this event provided an afternoon of fellowship with those who have a passion for life. To be in the company of those who fought the fight after a cancer diagnosis and continue to grow stronger in number with a profound understanding that knowledge is power, was time well spent.
Touche to those focused on health, on wellness, and spiritual wholeness through the arts. Kudos to Wilhelmina and the SISTAAH Studio.
[Hazel Rosetta Smith is a journalist, playwright, and artistic director of Help Somebody Theatrical Ministries. Contact: misshazel@twc.com]
Photo: (L-r) Wilhelmina Grant Cooper and Fatemeh Parvin-Nejad, MD
