Kim Kaufman
Life
Painting
Artist Statement
I was diagnosed with breast cancer after my first mammogram. It was overwhelming trying to understand what was happening and to work through the many different appointments I now had: biopsies, scans, surgery, consults, and radiation treatment.
Just before starting radiation, I decided to embrace the motto “treat yourself” and purchased a small aquarium featuring guppies and live plants. I set it up next to my computer where I could take in the soothing activity of the guppies and gentle motion of the plants growing under my care.
Even though radiation treatment took its toll on my energy, I could still sit at my computer and watch my fish. That’s why I decided to feature one of them in my art.
I’m happy to say that early detection led to a great outcome, and so I strongly advocate for others to get screened early and often.
52 Views of Cancer
52 Views of Cancer is a deck of playing cards illustrated by people who know cancer firsthand. Each of the 52 cards carries original artwork by a different cancer patient, survivor, or immediate family member, each with their own view of the disease.
The artwork comes first. We're bringing the deck to major scientific and medical conferences and putting these artists' work directly into the hands of the researchers and clinicians working on the cancers they've faced.
Learn more about Invenra’s efforts to fight cancer.
