An Artful Survivor Solution: The Cancer Calendar
About Kerri
Kerri Anne Besse is a multi-disciplined designer and developer with over a decade of experience creating and merchandising products for the soft goods industry. She attended the University of Rhode Island for her bachelor’s degree and then went on to obtain a AAS from the Fashion Institute of Technology. Kerri is a positive influencer with a passionate curiosity for all things creative! At 39, she was at the peak of her career when she was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer.
Since her diagnosis Kerri has integrated her experiences during and after cancer treatment into her work. She knew that creating something artistic would be the best way for her to contribute to the community of those newly diagnosed. From this realization, she created The Cancer Calendar. The book was designed with calendar pages and stickers to use as reminders for when someone is in active treatment. Her hope that is helps to alleviate some of the stressors brought on in the early days of a diagnosis.
My story:
I got the call on March 11th, 2020 telling me “It’s cancer”. The first thoughts that go through your mind are that you are going to die immediately. I told my husband that I wanted him to get re-married and be happy. His response was, “You are not going anywhere”.
I lived in this state of fear and worry for about three weeks. I was only 39 at the time of my diagnosis. I had no family history and I thought that I had led a pretty healthy lifestyle. It was hard NOT to feel hopeless and angry the first few weeks. After a while, feeling sad and angry started to not serve me in terms of healing during treatment. I had to gain some serious perspective. Particularly after I started to hear of people younger than me who were being diagnosed with breast cancer.
My chosen career path as an Artist and Textile Designer became my saving grace! I knew that creating something during this process would make it a bit easier to face each day. My husband and I do not have any children and after a cancer diagnosis, one starts to think about what you will leave behind. What will be your Living Legacy? I asked myself “In what way can I give back to the Cancer Community?” The answer was clear – by creating art!
On May 16th, 2020, I sat down in my home office and started drawing a calendar of sorts. Black squares were drawn with a Sharpie, one for each day that I was going to be undergoing chemotherapy. Six infusions, three weeks apart for a total of 60 days. Once I saw these squares, I realized that 60 days is NOT that long regarding a lifetime. Seeing that number instantly made me feel like I could conquer chemo and I wanted others who have to walk this path to have this same profound feeling of relief.
This realization inspired me to create an illustrative diary/book called The Cancer Calendar. More details can be found on my website. In addition to creating the calendar, I have spent the last two and a half years working as an Independent Contractor for West Elm and Tumble Living. For Tumble, I create original hand-drawn artwork for rugs. By manipulating this art in Photoshop, I can bring it to life and into homes across the country! Nothing brings me more joy than to know that I have created something that makes your home feel cozier and a bit more “you”! Visit Tumble to see the latest collections.
I am also an alumnus of the Young Advocate training with Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC). I believe that everyone should have access to reliable scientific data and the built-in support system LBBC provides, as well as to be informed of the latest technology in advancing the fight to find a cure for this disease. LBBC is an organization where someone who has been newly diagnosed (or their loved ones) can go to find the help & support they are seeking.
For the rest of my days, I will be working to support Living Beyond Breast Cancer and people whose lives are impacted by breast cancer.
20% of all sales of The Cancer Calendar will be donated to LBBC.
For more inspiring stories like Kerri’s and to learn about other helpful survivor-created recovery products, read our series Know & Tell and shop CBG’s Life & Style Recovery e-Boutique.
