Special Breast Cancer Awareness Episode of GSN'S 'SKIN WARS' Features Five Young Survivors Who Serve As Bodypaint Models, Their Survivor Stories Told Through Art "SURVIVE & THRIVE" AIRS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8 AT 9PM ET/PT
by Jaci Fletcher, YSC Senior Communications Manager on June 06, 2016
June 6, 2016
Jaci Fletcher, Senior Communications Manager
646.257.3012
[email protected]
New York, New York, (June 6, 2016) — This Wednesday, June 8, on a very special episode of GSN’s Skin Wars, the remaining artists paint five extraordinary young women who have faced breast cancer. The women, volunteers of Young Survival Coalition (YSC), work with the artists who paint a representation of their breast cancer journey using their body as a canvas. Each survivor shares her personal struggles and triumphs, including body image issues resulting from double mastectomies and breast cancer treatments, that’s translated into beautiful body art. Courtney Lercera, two-time breast cancer survivor featured on the episode, shares her transformative experience with us in Learning to Love My Body Again.
Excerpt from Courtney’s blog:
“I haven’t been naked in front of anyone for years. I’ve been a single mom of four kids since 2008 and I rarely date. I have scars everywhere from my nearly 20 surgeries since my first breast cancer diagnosis at the age of 33.” explains Courtney, who was hesitant to volunteer after learning she would be required to stand nearly naked and painted from head to toe for the episode.
When the time was up, my painter picked up a mirror and showed me her creation. It was at this moment that I understood the expression “It took my breath away.” Seeing myself look so beautiful without clothes literally took my breath away – To say this experience was amazing is an understatement. It changed my life, the way that I feel about myself.”
“Survive & Thrive” serves as a platform for these amazing young survivors to tell their stories and generate awareness that young women can and do get breast cancer. Each of their stories touches upon the critical issues unique to the 13,000 young women diagnosed each year. Skin Wars to donate $10,000 to Young Survival Coalition, the go-to organization for young women facing breast cancer and their supporters.
Two-time Emmy-nominated TV personality and breast cancer survivor, Samantha Harris(“Entertainment Tonight”) serves as guest judge on this inspirational episode. The artists’ work will also be judged by legendary entertainer RuPaul Charles and body painting icons Craig Tracy andRobin Slonina.
Hosted by Rebecca Romijn, SKIN WARS airs on GSN at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
Photos: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/5zcyfr9pnq1vzae/AAAGSWvnQcfceQCq1A-hdkZNa?dl=0
Sneak Peek Clip: https://www.dropbox.com/s/xdlf9j3aglezrrp/sw307-pr-clip2.mov?dl=0
Learn more about the models:https://www.dropbox.com/s/svp9o1igdq8sc9l/SkinWarsSurvivorsContactSheet.docx?dl=0
Young Survival Coalition, the artists, models and judges are available for interviews.
# # #
About Young Survival Coalition (YSC)®
Established in 1998, Young Survival Coalition (YSC) is the premier organization dedicated to young women with breast cancer. Founded by three young survivors, YSC began as a grassroots organization to advocate on behalf of all young women diagnosed with breast cancer to increase their length and quality of life. Based in New York City, with networks nationwide, YSC provides free resources, connections and educational materials so young women with breast cancer feel supported, empowered and hopeful. YSC seeks to educate and influence the medical, research and legislative communities to address breast cancer in young women, and to ensure that no young woman faces breast cancer alone. For more information, visit youngsurvival.org. To learn more about breast health, download YSC’s Breast Health and You Guide.
About SKIN WARS
Television’s first-ever body painting competition show and GSN’s most-watched original series ever, "Skin Wars" seeks to find the most innovative body painter in America. In its third season, twelve contestants will compete in elaborate body painting challenges to avoid elimination and win the approval of judges.
The winner of "Skin Wars" season three will receive a $100,000 cash prize, an all-expense paid trip for two to the prestigious World Body Painting Festival in Austria and a custom-made stencil line from Bad Ass Stencils with their name on it. Natalie Fletcher of Bend, Oregon, and Lana Chromium of San Diego were the winners of seasons 1 and 2 respectively.