The Storyboard Project is the center hub of the BHE program.
Students interviewed Roswell Park cancer survivors, patients and associates who have gone through the cancer journey. Afterward, students built storyboards of what they heard, interpreted, and learned, assisting them in gaining confidence by conducting difficult interviews and learning to lend compassion, curiosity, and respect. Students were prepared to ask the right questions during their interviews to understand what the cancer survivor or patient has gone through, while also utilizing the emotional wheel in creating and completing their storyboards. They presented their final products to the group, survivors, and Roswell Park staff at the closing ceremony.
Group One
Interview with Karen Braughtman & Bill Eckert
Emily Bella, Marco Cimato, Milan Malik, Isabella De Almeida, Fabian Lopez, Mya Tanis, Anastasia Nagy
Mixed Media on Canvas, 2026
Our storyboard moves to represent the highs and lows that people face when battling cancer. For Karen, this involved being diagnosed with Stage Four uterine cancer and given just four months left to live. Instead of giving up, Karen started chemo and beat the cancer, going into complete remission. In this storyboard, we wanted to represent Karen in what she did during and after her cancer. Karen, throughout her journey, had the support of her family and used that to help her get through her cancer. She did, however, remain independent and hopeful throughout her journey, leaning heavily on God and her faith to stay positive and continue her journey. After beating cancer, she stressed that as long as you are a kind person, things will come back to you, and because of that, we wanted most of the storyboard to have brighter colors like yellow, blues, and green. Bill had similar thoughts, although his journey was slightly different. Bill had two different types of cancer: skin cancer and prostate cancer, which he is still managing to this day. Bill and his wife, who also had cancer, were each other’s support system, and because it was the two of them, there were many more ups and downs as they both fought their own battles as the patient and the patient’s spouse. This is why we chose to add dark colors in the top left corner that are always looming because for Bill, his cancer may not be on the forefront of his mind, but it is always there, and he does have to consistently return to Roswell not just as a volunteer, but as a patient. Both of these patients are now volunteers and have positive things to say about Roswell because of how they were treated and because of the interactions they had as a patient and now as a volunteer.
Group Two
Interview with Geraldine Barone & Mary Cay Eckart
Christian Nichols, Tamia White, Suhani Pal, Brianna Adamczk, Mathilde Servat Lagattu, Suniva Dasgupta, Natasha Roberts
Mixed Media on Canvas, 2026
The two people we interviewed have both faced numerous obstacles throughout their cancer journey that impacted the overall path of their lives. Both women said that they felt overwhelmed through their treatment, from the effects of cancer and how cancer itself affected their lives. You’ll see that bright, warm colors on our board will express their stress through their treatment. But both women felt complete trust and gratitude for the staff at Roswell Park, so you’ll see calm, cool colors to represent their trust in the doctors and nurses at Roswell. On the back of our board, we decided we needed to convey the fear a patient feels during their treatment. The string that runs through the entire board and is embedded on both sides connects all the emotions we chose to convey, as one of the people we interviewed stated: “I don’t see cancer as a fight, I see it as a journey.” So the string can also represent the overall bumpy “journey” cancer is.
Group Three
Interview with Christene Amabile & James Bojanowski
Bikram Bajwa, Malak Alrasheedi, Sharanya Nair, Aarav Trivedi, Suhavi Chhokar, John Cahalan, Jayden Archie
Mixed Media on Canvas, 2026
This painting is to spread awareness of the mental state of cancer patients, showing the chaotic emotions that are experienced, which vary between people, being based on their support systems and coping mechanisms. The green background symbolizes growth, vitality, nature, and healing through action, while the purple represents creativity and compassion. Both sides of the work are representations of the people we interviewed. The left side represents James, whose infectious laughter and optimism inspired us. During his interview, he shared how watching basketball and soccer brought him comfort, resilience, and normalcy during treatment. The U.S. Army patch and athletic motifs highlight his discipline, endurance, and physical strength. He also reflected on his love for science—inspired by figures like Bill Nye and Mr. Wizard—and his approach to understanding his diagnosis through curiosity rather than fear. James' commitment to community service, including volunteering at Roswell, driving refugees, and advocating for migrant families, is depicted through the handprints, photos of servicemen, and jewels woven throughout the scene. Through this work, James’ optimism and dedication to his community shine through. The right side represents Christene, who reflected deeply on her emotional journey from the moment of diagnosis. The relief of being cancer-free fueled her passion for giving back, leading her to volunteer at Roswell Park’s beauty center, where she helped women reclaim their confidence through wigs and makeup. As a nurse practitioner, experiencing illness firsthand deepened her empathy for her own patients. During recovery, she embraced floral arrangement, meditation, and walking as therapeutic outlets. Ultimately, Christene channeled her pain into purpose, continually supporting others navigating similar battles. The centerpiece—an illustration of cancer with a bold red target—unites both sides, representing the shared struggle James and Christene faced. Above it, a hand reaching down to offer hearts symbolizes their dedication to helping others overcome what they once endured. Their work replaces powerlessness with connection, proving no one has to face this journey alone. The painting stands as a testament to the spectrum of grief, fear, hope, and resilience, illustrating how coping strategies and support networks shape the emotional journey through illness.
Group Four
Interview with Sara Sade & Carley Doyle
Sofia Sidell, Addison Schultz, Deasia Johnson, Brianna Moore, Caroline Rhoney, Ryan Danison, Kazi Farjana
Mixed Media on Canvas, 2026
Through various unique and meaningful symbols, our storyboard illustrates a message of resilience and overcoming adversity through a positive attitude and a strong mentality during the battle against cancer. The phoenix is positioned as the centerpiece, representing vigor and fortitude while displaying our patients’ attitude of survival and determination. The lighthouse portrays rays that name the different varieties of cancer that our patients experienced and demonstrates our patients’ steadfast strength and perseverance. Furthermore, it also shows the authority of the coaches who have guided our patients through their cancer journey. The lotus flowers in our piece represent the strength and miracles that occurred in our patients’ lives. The pink ribbon is the symbol for breast cancer awareness, and at its ends are ballet shoes, a representation of one of our patients’ ballet coaching career that she refused to give up on even during the most intense periods of treatment. The driftwood in our storyboard shows our patient’s admiration for singer Noah Kahan, whose motivational and uplifting music gave her an incentive to keep moving forward. In relation, her quote on our board, “When you have no choice but to be strong, just do it”, can be compared to Kahan’s style of writing music. All in all, our patients’ ambitious attitudes inspired this project’s distinctive symbolism and expressed a comprehensive theme of positive resilience.
Group Five
Interview with Nancy Peacock & Richard Johnson
Keiheira Walker, Niya Hamilton, Sarah Jarein, Annabelle Copeland, Emily Fronczak, Samrawit Amesalu, Rayvant Pendyala
Mixed Media on Canvas, 2026
This board represents Nancy and Richard's journey through cancer. At the beginning of the road, it was very scary, and they did not know where their journeys would take them. They were very focused on the unknown and worried about their future. Photos of people being engulfed in the dark depths of the ocean represent the lowest points of their journeys. The fish surrounding the divers highlight how overwhelming the beginning of their processes was. As they continued with their journeys, they were worried about the time they may lose, or their lives that could have been cut short. Richard had a very rare and intense cancer with a high mortality rate; the melting clock represents the limited time they believed they had. The spider symbolizes how they felt helpless and trapped. Richard often went into a comatose state and was unable to express his thoughts. However, they chose to be courageous like a lion and tried their best to continue their lives like normal without letting cancer take over. Richard often used action movies as a distraction and explained that the way he got through cancer was mostly due to his navy seal mentality, working the problem and finding the solution. Although many things got left behind on the journey, for example, Richard’s love for boating and Nancy’s passion for golf, they found a new, stronger love for working and volunteering their time to help others. As time went on, Nancy learned that in order to heal, she needed to accept that although she would never be cured, she needed to continue living her life. Nancy and Richard both had immense amounts of support from their loved ones, which played a strong role in their journey. The second clock at the end of the road shows that towards the end of their journey, their perspectives changed, and they both had a new outlook on how they should spend the time that they have left. Throughout the road, there are gems leading to the sun with colors ranging from silver to pink portraying that as time went on, their paths became brighter, and their lives became more vivid. The yellow sun represented by flowers shows that they reached the light at the end of their journey, and they did not let cancer change who they were. The butterflies and birds show their growth and the release from the shackles of cancer. There were many ups and downs along the road, but eventually, through the support of their loved ones and positive outlooks, they were able to reach the light at the end of the tunnel.
Group Six
Interview with Richard Satterwhite & Paul Muck
Nicki Suchak, Pierce Mabry, Joy Owens, Estelle Barth, Isabella Haynes, Murtaza Panahzada, Samanta Nancy
Mixed Media on Canvas, 2026
Pierce: Yesterday, we interviewed two cancer patients, Richard and Paul. Richard was diagnosed with prostate cancer, and Paul with oral cancer at the base of the tongue. Despite facing incredibly difficult treatments, both remained determined to protect their passions and purpose. In the center of our canvas, a handshake symbolizes community connection, which Richard stressed. Surrounding it, light blue wristbands represent prostate cancer awareness, while burgundy and white wristbands symbolize oral cancer awareness. Isabella: Our storyboard represents both patients' journeys, highlighting their struggles, lessons learned, and the strength that helped them persevere. We chose nature as the main theme because Richard and Paul share a deep love for the outdoors. Across the board, natural elements symbolize peace, hope, healing, and the resilience needed to face life's greatest challenges. Murtaza: We included cameras across the board to represent Richard’s passion for photography. They reflect his philosophy of capturing meaningful moments and living fully in the present rather than worrying about what tomorrow holds. Paul’s story centers on resilience. His experience taught us that even in the face of immense pain and uncertainty, it is possible to stay strong, maintain hope, and persevere without giving up. Nancy: The black hole symbolizes the overwhelming emptiness, uncertainty, and isolation of receiving a cancer diagnosis. In contrast, the fox represents adapting and surviving in harsh, changing environments. Similarly, the butterfly symbolizes transformation and resilience; just as it emerges stronger after its metamorphosis, cancer patients often grow through their hardships and step courageously into a new chapter of life. Estelle: Inspirational quotes around the canvas, such as "No one can prepare you for the journey" and "It's okay to be touched with the other self of you," reinforce courage, reminding us that every journey is unique and all emotions are valid. Nearby, a tree with apples on one side and bare branches on the other illustrates how cancer brings both growth and loss—apples for hope and strength, bare branches for pain and setbacks. Pierce: The mirror reflection symbolizes self-reflection and personal transformation. It captures how a diagnosis can shift one's perspective, representing the acceptance of change while holding onto one's true identity. Ultimately, interviewing Richard and Paul taught us profound lessons about gratitude, courage, and purpose. Their stories inspired us to appreciate every moment, stay hopeful through adversity, and meet life's challenges with strength and determination.
Group Seven
Interview with Diane Morgante & Peter Pfohl
Nusrat Chowdhury, Tehseen Seraj, Riley Jensen, Thomas Long, Abigail Semahegn, Alannah King, Mya Johnson
Mixed Media on Canvas, 2025
Our artwork depicts the journey of a man diagnosed with cancer and how he reached happiness and growth along the way. Both of our patients described hearing the diagnosis as heartbreaking and devastating news. One of our patients used the analogy of a trap door to describe his feelings of emptiness and how he was lost. In our artwork, we portrayed this as a dark and destroyed forest. As the warrior escapes this dark place, he must travel across a broken and rough path. This path represents the hardships of the treatment that patients go through. Along the way, the warrior comes across a tiger that represents the courage that he lost after the diagnosis. Our warrior conquers the tiger to regain his courage to keep going on the hard journey. The purple flowers represent the warrior discovering his spirituality that helps him push through and eventually reach a blooming forest with butterflies, flowers, and trees to show his growth and rebirth of his soul. Throughout the whole adventure, the warrior believes that the Lord was watching from above, which shows him that he is not alone during the hard adventures of overcoming the disease. Our patients both went through the pain that comes with cancer, but through it all they maintained a positive mindset and never let the disease take their lives. Our artwork shows that our patients are warriors and they can make it to the end of any adventure thrown in their ways.
Group Eight
Interview with Linda Dugan & Teresa Quintern
Buse Altok, Gabriella Harfouche, Iqra Uddin, Damien Boctor, Vincent Farina, Zayna Ghadiyali, Rya Johnson
Mixed Media on Canvas, 2025
Our storyboard illustrates the cancer journeys of Teresa, diagnosed with metastatic adenocarcinoma of unknown primary, and Linda, diagnosed with breast cancer. The forest green background reflects the toxic reality of diagnosis alongside the solace both found in nature, while green accents symbolize healing. Rabbit & Fawn: A rabbit honors the "rabbit, rabbit" tradition of good fortune, longevity, and peace, celebrating Teresa beating the odds. Alongside it, a fawn symbolizes new beginnings and adapting to life after diagnosis. Tiger: The tiger represents reclaiming agency over treatment decisions. Words inscribed on the tiger—God, joy, nature, healing, and rare—honor Teresa overcoming an illness with a two-percent survival rate. Campfire, Compass & Arrow: The campfire marks Linda’s lifestyle transformation after trauma and evokes Teresa’s treasured family memories. The compass and arrow highlight their spirit of adventure and purposeful resolve to “Don’t deviate! Keep going!” Sunflower, Medication & Time: The sunflower represents finding joy in small moments despite harsh realities. A hand holding a pill illustrates the grueling toll of daily medication and chemotherapy, while a prominent “TIME” sign underscores the uncertainty and preciousness of each day. The Pink Section: Featuring the pink ribbon and pink flowers, this section honors breast cancer awareness, gentle renewal, and hope. A lion embodies the fierce resilience and courage shown by survivors. The Fork in the Road & Aftereffects: A fork resembling a cross depicts figures walking away, capturing the painful reality of friends who distanced themselves after the diagnoses. However, imagery of mountains and God reflects how Linda found peace in hiking and Teresa in faith. Above, grey clouds symbolize lasting cognitive side effects ("chemo brain") that persist even after remission. The Winding Road: The twisting road captures the strenuous cancer journey, while diverse cars signify that every patient's path is unique. Yellow dividers inscribed with “Faith over Fear” celebrate the guiding motto that gave Teresa unwavering strength.