On Good Friday 2021, Jonene Lee Nelson learned she had breast cancer.
“I got an email from the portal,” she recalled. “It said, ‘You have results in.’ And it was like, ‘Oh my God, results.’ And it was on Good Friday, so no doctors were in. So I had to read the results online and put them into Google and translate what they meant. I called Mark [Nelson’s partner] and said, ‘I think I have breast cancer.’”
Her cancer was diagnosed early, and three years from a lumpectomy and radiation treatments, Nelson is thriving. The owner of NoName Gallery can often be seen walking the Avenue with her dog, Tiger Chai, an adorable Shih Tzu, Poodle, Golden Retriever, and Chihuahua mix. But her experiences inspired her to increase awareness, bring community together, and raise funds for the first annual Art of Survival Breast Cancer Walk and Fundraiser.
The event’s proceeds will support Unite for HER, a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit that provides free integrative therapies, services, education, resources, and support to breast and ovarian cancer patients. (HER stands for “Help, Empower, and Restore.”)
Unconventional, with something for everyone
May is an unconventional time of year to hold a breast cancer fundraiser, but Nelson wanted to avoid having her gathering coincide with all the other awareness events. “I felt like it would just be another breast cancer event in October with pink everywhere,” she told the Local. “So why not do it in May? I want to be different.”
The event certainly will be unique. Check-in begins at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 16 at Balance, 12 W. Willow Grove Ave., and will be followed by a breast cancer awareness talk, featuring Anne McNally, Chrissy Dress, Corinne Scioli, Jeff Sklar, and Monika Schermer.
The walk will take place on Saturday, May 17. Check-in is from 8-9 a.m. at Market at the Fareway, 8221 Germantown Ave. Afterward, Jennifer's Leaf will offer an hourlong noon yoga class and from 6-10 p.m., participants can come out to NoName Gallery and dance to the musical stylings of DJ Xtina, eat food (courtesy of Weavers Way and Bacchus Catering), drink, and participate in a silent auction. Auction bidding is also available online.
The fundraiser ends Sunday, May 18 with a community fitness class at Balance from 11 a.m.-noon, followed by a three-hour adult sip-and-paint class at NoName Gallery, led by Stacey Flygirrl, an artist, graphic designer, promoter and event planner, recognized by Greater Philadelphia Tourism and Marketing Corporation as a Creative Ambassador of Philadelphia.
Nelson came up with the concept for the Art of Survival Breast Cancer Walk and Fundraiser last year. “I wanted to find something for everyone,” she said. Eventually, over time and through conversations with people like Laura Lucas, president of the Chestnut Hill Community Association, it kept growing. “It started with a walk. Everyone does a walk, and I'm like, ‘That's cool, but here I go again. Everyone does that. I wanna be different.’ Laura Lucas gave me the idea for the info session because her sister was diagnosed with breast cancer, and it comes to you as a shock. It's like, what is going on? All this is happening, and the information, it's information overload, and I guess Laura felt the same way.”
Another early supporter was Robin Lickliter, Nelson’s friend and a Philadelphia-based global executive whose work focuses on events and experiences. “My mom taught me a long time ago that it's all about who you know,” Nelson wrote in an email. “So, I always reach out to people I know before I start any project.”
All of the businesses participating in the first annual Art of Survival Breast Cancer Walk and Fundraiser are doing so at their own expense, and many local businesses are donating items to the silent auction, such as a family membership to Woodmere, a $400 spa experience at CURE de Repos, and a two-hour cake tasting courtesy of Bredenbeck’s Bakery.
“I called on people that have their own community within a community and that are always doing things for other communities and I sent an email out to all the businesses to see ‘What do you wanna do?’” Nelson said. “I love bringing communities together … and I thought it would be a cool way to bring a community together. Honestly, in Chestnut Hill, there's no breast cancer community.”
A passport to partnership
The idea of partnering with Unite for HER came as a no-brainer, since Unite for HER sent Nelson a care package shortly after her own diagnosis and supported her in utilizing holistic therapies as part of her recovery journey. Plus, as a 501(c)(3), the nonprofit can receive tax-deductible donations, something NoName can not do as a for-profit entity.
“A hundred percent of the proceeds are all going to Unite for HER,” Nelson told the Local. She hopes to raise $10,000 after costs, a reachable goal considering that, as of May 4, the fundraiser already raised more than $6,000.
One Unite for HER Wellness Program member and Northwest Philadelphia resident, who gave her name only as Wendy, said, "I was introduced to Unite for HER when I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. I still remember the first day I got my [care] box. It was like opening up sunshine in a box. It was amazing — I felt the love exuding from the box. It had so many wonderful products and information, and the passport was amazing.”
The Unite for HER Wellness Passport Program provides each participant with therapies and services valued at $2,000.
“I thought it was too good to be true!” Wendy enthused. “I used my passport for Reiki and massages to help me relax. I also loved the food. We would get fresh vegetables and attend virtual cooking classes, which were amazing because they helped you figure out what you're doing with all these vegetables. The grocery card gift cards were also helpful to help purchase healthy items. I like to share my experience and let other women know about this amazing organization. Everyone that I've met here or worked with has been just a blessing.”
Jessica Meakim, development manager at Unite for HER told the Local “We’re so honored to be the beneficiary of this beautiful event … Unite for HER is beyond grateful for community members like Jonene and NoName Gallery, who combine their passions to support our mission. We’re proud to attend and cheer her on — but truly, all the credit goes to her for making this event possible.”
According to Meakim, every dollar raised goes to support those impacted by breast and ovarian cancer. Donation levels provide a variety of therapies and benefits: $50 yields a week of healthy meals courtesy of SunBasket, $100 brings one private Reiki session, $225 will enable a patient to receive a private virtual or telephone nutrition consultation and 6-week CSA organic vegetable share, $500 is enough to secure five virtual or telephone professional counseling sessions, and $2,000 secures a full year of healing therapies for one patient.
When asked what she’s hoping participants will take away from the weekend-long experience, Nelson answered with a smile, “How well the Chestnut Hill community works together for a good cause. That's what I hope they take away. Life is about making connections with people and giving back.”
Meakim told the Local that Nelson is at the epicenter of community and connections, giving back what’s been given to her, and then some.
“We’re so grateful that Jonene has been actively collecting donations and promoting this beautiful event,” Meakim said. “Her commitment and enthusiasm have been incredible, and we at Unite for HER are excited to attend and look forward to seeing the results of her amazing efforts to support the community.”
The event begins at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 16 and goes through Sunday, May 18. For more information, to register or to donate, visit nonamegalleryphilly.com.
Daralyse Lyons can be reached at daralyse@chestnuthilllocal.com.
