Receiving a cancer diagnosis and undergoing treatment can be an emotional experience for patients, and their families, friends and caregivers are also affected by the experience. Creative writing can provide an outlet to express and share those strong emotions.
The Spring 2016 “Express Yourself: Creative Writing Series” is open to anyone affected by cancer, regardless of where the medical care is received, and no previous writing experience is needed. Participants in the free workshop will have the opportunity to learn about and practice creative writing in a collaborative setting.
The sessions will be led by Anna Silverstein, 2015-2016 Curb Creative Writing Fellow at Vanderbilt University.
The upcoming series will be held from noon to 2 p.m., on Tuesdays, March 15 through April 19. Lunch will be provided.
The workshops will be held at The Curb Center for Art, Enterprise & Public Policy, 1801 Edgehill Ave. Enrollees are encouraged to participate in all sessions of the series.
“These writing workshops offer a wonderful opportunity for those in the cancer community to open up and express their feelings in a supportive environment,” said Ali Schaffer, LCSW, Manager of Patient and Family-Centered Care at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. “The sessions are truly inspiring and they have empowered participants to find their voices and share their stories. Some of our participants have had their writing accepted for publication in magazines.”
The writing workshops are offered through a collaboration of the Cancer Center, the Vanderbilt Oncology Expressive Arts Committee and the Curb Center for Art, Enterprise & Public Policy.
For additional information or to register for the creative writing series, contact Schaffer at 615-322-9799 or email Allison.schaffer@vanderbilt.edu.
