This auction item is for a hand painted canvas by CURE Artist Katie Smotherman, "Life Doesn't get Easier, We Get Stronger".

Katie was diagnosed at age 17 with stage 3B Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in July 2014.  She underwent an intensive 6 round chemotherapy protocol (BEACOPP).  After dealing with the initial shock of diagnosis, Katie was determined to maintain a positive attitude throughout treatment and to finish her senior year of high school, graduating on time with her classmates.  Today she is CANCER FREE and scheduled to graduate in May of this year!  While going through treatment, she learned how fearful young children are of having their ports accessed.  In response, Katie created a treatment bear that allows children to practice accessing/de-accessings the bear’s port.  She made and donated 10 bears to the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Scottish Rite.