Piedmont Macon healing art classes offer cancer survivors community and hope

Cancer survivor Gail Overturl says when battling cancer there's not much to look forward to, but with these classes that has all changed.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Piedmont Macon regularly hosts creative healing art classes for cancer survivors. The motivation is fueled by the reality that facing cancer can feel isolating for many people, but finding a community of survivors can provide strength and hope. That’s why Piedmont Macon encourages survivors to join its creative healing classes — to connect, express, and heal together.

Cancer survivor Gail Overturl says this class makes her feel at peace.

“I love painting to start with, and going through cancer, it just kind of changes your whole world. You’re never the same after you find out, and then you go through the treatments. And other than your family, you kind of feel alone. But when you have something like this and everybody’s together, and [the art teacher] Nancy is just so great and she pulls us all together, and the paintings are all different but all great”, Overturl said.

She says these classes make her feel seen in low times.

“This is a bright spot in having gone through all that, and we’ve all done it; everybody in there has been through it. It’s just something that we all bond together with,” Overturl said.

She says when battling cancer, there’s not much to look forward to, but with these classes, that has all changed.

“You don’t look forward to chemo, radiation, surgeries, or doctor appointments, but– this– you look forward to”, Overturl said.

Retired art educator Nancy Gillies says hosting these classes warms her heart.  

“They look forward to it. They’ve made new friends, and they’re just so excited. And it makes me so excited to see them, and their confidence has built so much over time. We’ve been doing this for a while and when we first started, they were insecure. Now, they come in and are ready to go, and their paintings are beautiful. They do a great job,” Gilles said.

Kimberly Lewis, Piedmont Macon Manger of Oncology services, says these classes bring unity, strength, and partnership.

“This gives them additional support… from patients that have been through the same journey. They discuss things together; we promote other heath things while they’re here. Giving them information about other cancers, screening events, and wanting to promote their wellness,” Lewis said.

The next class will be offered November 20th from 10:00am until 12noon. Piedmont Macon will also host a healthy eating and cancer treatment class August 14th and October 9th from 10am until 11am.