Felipe’s statement:

As an artist, I find it incredibly rewarding to participate in and support projects that focus on the well being of the community. I feel truly blessed to have been part of the TwistOutCancer program again, as it led me to cross paths with Amy, a woman who radiates good energy, warmth, and grace.

Hearing her story deeply moved me. Amy shared a powerful turning point in her recovery, a moment of surrender. Despite everyone telling her how strong she was during chemo, she felt exhausted and angry. It was only when she prayed and heard the words, "surrender, let me help you," that everything changed. She realized she couldn't do it alone and, in that surrender, found the strength and courage to move forward. She accepted her diagnosis, her new body, and all the physical changes that came with it, finding a deep sense of peace.

In the years since, Amy has built a life full of joy. She told me she sees every single day as a gift, finding beauty in the details and the seemingly mundane, from a warm cup of coffee to the beauty of nature. Her journey has given her the gift of appreciation, a clear understanding that joy is everywhere if you simply stop to find it.

One of her most poignant memories is a testament to her unwavering love and determination. Even on her weakest days from chemo, she made it a priority to cook breakfast for her young son. She recalled a day when she was too weak to stand and had to sit on the floor to get her cooking supplies. But she wouldn't let anything stop her; she sat in a chair and made him waffles. It was a powerful act of love and a constant reminder to herself to keep going, to "crawl" if she couldn't walk. Today, she’s proud of her strong legs, a physical manifestation of how far she's come.

Amy's journey has also reshaped her relationships. She no longer wastes time on things that don’t serve her and is more vocal with her love, telling people how much they mean to her. She lives with intention, prioritizing her faith, her family, and spreading love and joy in every interaction.

Inspired by Amy’s powerful journey of self-acceptance and resilience, I created an image that captures her fight and the profound transformation that comes from facing oneself. The photograph shows Amy on a pickleball court, playing against herself. This visual metaphor symbolizes the moment she faced her own insecurities, her frustrations, and the immense challenges of her diagnosis. The pink balls, scattered flying across the court, represent the cancer she overcame, while she serves the last ball, a beacon of strength and renewed purpose. She is no longer fighting her illness, but herself, her fear and anger, and in this moment, she is winning. The image is a portrayal of her surrender, acceptance, and the ultimate victory of embracing her most vulnerable self.