A group of cancer survivors who had also been feeling the weight of the pandemic recently participated in a pick-me-up event involving dancing in colorful skirts made of tulle, a lightweight fabric made of stiff netting, while listening to some words of encouragement.
Gina Bell, who wrote the book “Tears and Tulle” and created a social movement to broadcast its hopeful message, presented the event at the Cancer Support Center in Homewood. It was meant to lift participants up, and several said it did just that.
“It’s just a nice release to do something fun and not always be talking about cancer,” said Arlene Brostrom, a breast cancer survivor who lives in Homewood and has been coming to the center for six years.
“Everything is so heavy and serious. Who doesn’t like a tutu?” she joked as she made a skirt from material brought by Bell.
Brostrom so enjoyed making the tulle skirt that she wore it after the event to the nearby farmers market.
Kathleen Daly, a program director and art therapist who helped organize the event, called it a breather for people in general during this stressful time.
“It gives everyone a chance to take a break from how serious life can be,” said Daly. “That really matches Gina’s message.”
Bell, who had already been working at nonprofits, in March 2018 was standing on an abandoned overpass for a photo shoot in Florida, wearing black T-shirt and colorful, tulle skirt someone had given her, was struck by the need to spread happiness despite her own sorrow.
Bell had just found out her husband would need brain surgery and a week before was the anniversary of her mom’s passing.
“I realized I could show up within the darker parts of life and still connect,” said Bell, who now lives in Dyer, Indiana.
She also realized she had a responsibility to get out and share her message because so many women before her, like her mom, hadn’t had the chance.
“I just felt like there was this ancestral responsibility to show up,” Bell said.
At one point during the reading, Bell almost broke down, thinking of her mother, who had breast and brain cancer and found comfort at the Cancer Support Center. That was also a common sentiment among attendees.
“This place was like a saving grace for her years ago,” said Bell. “I’ve read this a million times and I don’t usually get choked up.”
Attendees and center staff did twirling movements in response to the reading, as well as dances led by Amanda Ouimette, a movement therapist at the center.
Betsy Pacelli, who has been following Bell and her events for several years, twirled plenty and helped other participants make their skirts.
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“I was so depressed for 35 years, in chronic pain, my whole life has been crazy,” said Pacelli, who lives in Steger. “Then I found Gina and she brought me up.”
Ella, 9, and Gordon, 5, Knight, also enjoyed the event, making a skirt and other pieces of clothing from the tulle and enjoying the twirling. Their dad died of cancer several years ago and they have been frequenting the center since then.
Tenner Hemphill, who lives in Glenwood and has been coming to the center since 2008, came to the event because of curiosity but was glad she did.
“It was relaxing and medicinal putting together the skirt,” said Hemphill, who had breast cancer. “I like hearing people’s stories.
“You have to enjoy your life now,” said Hemphill.
Janice Neumann is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.