(photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Timothy Wilson) Melanie Twomey created this piece of art at the Courage Collage workshop Saturday at the National Naval Medical Center showing personal images that related to her recovery from breast cancer and helped her during the healing process. The pictures were taken from magazines and symbolize her family’s help, the spiritual journey, new found physical well-being and details her emotions during her battle to overcome cancer.

The Red Cross at the National Naval Medical Center sponsored a Courage Collage workshop Saturday to help individuals going through tough periods in their life.

In a continuing healing-through-art initiative NNMC will host an art show Oct. 8, sponsored by the Hematology⁄Oncology and Breast Care Center, along with the Oakleaf Club and the Mary Jane Sanford Project, will sponsor the 6th Annual Breast Cancer Art Show.

‘‘Creative expression workshops are for cancer patients currently going through treatment or who have survived cancer, or anyone who just wants to participate,” said Luzier, founder and executive director of the Courage Collage program.

Luzier said art, such as these Courage Collages, helps patients and survivors in the healing process.

‘‘A lot of emotional and mental trauma can occur when cancer enters someone’s life,” Luzier said. ‘‘This program is designed to help people process what is happening in their lives. The pictures are meaningful expressions of future hope.”

Melanie Twomey was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004. This workshop was the first of its kind she has attended.

‘‘Going into the workshop, I didn’t expect to get a lot out of it,” Twomey said. ‘‘But I discovered I was pleasantly surprised, I loved it.”

Twomey said creating her Courage Collage gave her an opportunity to reflect on ‘‘the bigger picture” of her life and what it means to her.

‘‘This [workshop] allowed me to sit and think about what I am and what things mean the most to me and how I can move forward,” Twomey said. ‘‘I was able to be heard through pictures, not words, and I put it all down on my collage.”

Family, spiritual beliefs and physical well-being were the common themes Twomey said she noticed in her collage.

‘‘I realized and found out a lot about myself and my rehabilitation process,” she said. ‘‘The pink ribbon [signifies] stomping out breast cancer. Once you go through it, it’s always part of your life.”

Twomey said she would recommend this activity for everyone, regardless of whether they have cancer or not.

‘‘It really allows you to reflect on yourself, and it also supports cancer, which is always good,” she said.

Judy Cassells, a Breast Cancer Art Show committee member, said it is important for everyone to recognize the courageous cancer patients and survivors and to showcase how they manage to make it through their tough ordeals.

‘‘[The breast care show] to honor patients, survivors and those who have passed away from cancer and gives them a chance to share their healing with others,” Cassells said.

The Breast Cancer Art Show began five years ago for breast cancer patients at NNMC to showcase pieces they create during their rehabilitation and coping process of the diagnosis, said Cassells. At first, it only showcased patients’ art, but last year it grew to include artwork from Bethesda staff members.

‘‘Art helps people greatly because it makes them concentrate on what they’re doing and put their lives into what they’re creating,” said Gay Schroeder, a breast cancer survivor and Breast Cancer Art Show committee member. ‘‘It’s a peaceful way of releasing that energy you spend thinking about how ill you are and creating a piece with whatever art form you’re using and it helps you to continue on.”

Schroeder was diagnosed with cancer in 2001. In 2005, she found out she had breast cancer for a second time.

‘‘It’s been a difficult time and, if it wasn’t for my cross-stitching, I’m not sure where I’d be in my life,” she said.

Schroeder said the Breast Cancer Art Show is important because it’s a means for other people to acknowledge that life goes on after cancer.

Jonna Tamases, a three-time cancer survivor, will be the guest performer at the event. Tamases had Hodgkin’s disease, breast cancer and large-cell lymphoma. She will be sharing her story and her fight to live.

‘‘I encourage everyone to come to the show and support breast cancer awareness,” Schroeder said.