News

Artist Needed for Art for Life

by Dean Poling • January 26, 2012

BY DEAN POLING THE VALDOSTA DAILY TIMES

Area artists are donating works to fight cancer. Area artist and cancer survivor Ann Johnston is asking artists to donate works to benefit the Partnership Cancer Fund, which helps supplement Lowndes County cancer patients’ costs.

Johnston has received promises from about 25 artists so far to contribute works for the annual event. She hopes more will participate.

Through similar donations last year, area artists raised approximately $14,000 during “two and a half hours of spirited bidding,” Johnston says. “The success of this event in the middle of a terrible re-cession was affirmation of the power of a local cause.”

Those funds helped 496 cases since the last auction, Johnston says.

Dr. John Devine, an oncologist with the local Pearlman Comprehensive Cancer Center, created the fw1d to help cancer patients pay for the additional unexpected costs of treatment. The fund is separate from the American Cancer Society.

The fund is for patients who are Lowndes County residents or are being treated for cancer in Lowndes County. I MORE INFORMATION Contact Ann Johnston. (229) 247-6311.

The Partnership supplements patients for costs outside the primary cancer treatment expenses. It can help pay the cost of gas traveling for treatment; medication needed to cope with the cancer treatment, such as nausea medicine to curb the effects of chemotherapy; nutritional supplements to help a patient retain strength during treatment; durable medical equipment that may be needed at home.

Qualified recipients can receive up to $1,000 in any two quarters and $500 in the other quarters of a calendar year. They can re-apply each quarter.

To participate in the auction, artists may donate works through Feb. 14.

The Partnership Cancer Fund’s Art for Life show /auction is scheduled for 6-8 p.m., March 12, Two Friends Cafe and Market, 3338-B Country Club Road.

Then, visitors should find acrylic, oil and watercolor paintings; pen-and-ink, pencil and charcoal drawings; limited-edition prints; mixed-media creations; wood; pottery; photography; needlepoint; jewelry; as well as event tickets on which to bid.