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A national art contest offers cancer survivors, their caregivers and loved ones the opportunity to show the artistic inspiration they draw from their cancer journey.

The winners of the Lily Oncology on Canvas competition get a donation made to the charity of their choice. But the payoffs go well beyond that, says a Baldwin artist who won second place in the contest in 2010.Victoria Kelly created a fabric collage called “Breathing Room” while undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments for lung cancer. She created an image of her lungs surrounded by leaves and flowers representing her lakeside home.

Making my entry, Breathing Room helped me very much, Kelly said. “I had wanted to visualize what I was up against, so it was important to make something meaningful to me.Victoria_Kelly.jpgVictoria Kelly he said she was dumbfounded when her piece took second place.

I am now cancer-free six and half years since my diagnosis,she said. “I am indeed fortunate and grateful After the competition, much of the artwork becomes part of an exhibition that tours cancer centers, hospitals and patient advocacy events.For those interested in entering the 2012 Lily Oncology on Canvas competition, here are the details.