An Artist and Advocate Returns to the ZERO Summit for a Second Year

We all feel the impact of prostate cancer in our lives. Whether we are patients, caregivers, supportive family members, health care professionals, or members of ZERO’s incredible network, this disease touches our lives in profound ways. The struggle in fighting prostate cancer is woven into several of our experiences. My prostate cancer advocacy was born from a history of men in my family dying with the disease and my father being diagnosed in 2013. It became real for me as my father shared stories of diagnosis and interactions with his teams of doctors.

In past years, I have used my artistry to benefit ZERO. In 2018 and 2019, I donated original paintings to be given to the first prostate cancer survivor to cross the finish-line in ZERO’s Salt Lake City Prostate Cancer Run/Walk. My parents have been working with ZERO Prostate Cancer throughout my father’s journey and have been advocates at the Summit for several years. In mid-2019, they invited me to go with them to Washington, D.C. to participate in the 2020 ZERO Prostate Cancer Summit. I had the fortune to represent the State of Utah and meet with the majority of our congressional delegation. I felt empowered to speak on behalf of patients and families who need a voice and we were successful in securing the matching budgetary allotment from the previous year. It was an experience I’ll always hold dear.

I am pleased to be returning to the ZERO Summit. What a great opportunity we have this year to engage online in this year’s Virtual Summit! More than ever, we can join together to represent our states and connect with lawmakers. This upcoming Summit does not require travel and it is free! We should invite anyone who is passionate about patient care and advocacy to become part of the effort.

This year, when I heard that Cal Ripken, Jr. was selected as our Mission Speaker for the summit, I was impressed. I then researched his prostate cancer experience and was inspired to paint the original watercolor pictured here. It is titled, “Hall-of-Famer and Survivor”. I am producing a set of limited edition prints to auction on eBay. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to ZERO Prostate Cancer. The first auction will go live toward the end of February. It is my hope that baseball fans and anyone touched by this disease may find this artwork to be inspiring and may wish to bid on one of the prints. It is a small way for me to leverage my talent for good.

Brandon can be found on the following social media:  

Facebook: @BJW.artist 

Instagram: @artistbrandonjw 

X: @brandonjw 

Store where the paintings will be auctioned: ebay.com/str/thepaintandplaystore

"Learning with Dad" 

2019  

Acrylic on Canvas

“The Fight Within Our Man” 

2018 

Acrylic on Canvas, painted with neckties by Brandon and his son Aiden.