Welcome to CA6
An international organization that explores cancer through a lens of compassion and creativity.
Exhibitions
Our exhibitions bring together artists, researchers, clinicians, and communities to explore cancer through multidisciplinary visual experiences. These curated installations create spaces for reflection, dialogue, and connection, using art to illuminate the emotional, scientific, and human dimensions of cancer. Each exhibition invites viewers to engage with complex topics, such as diagnosis, survivorship, stigma, and resilience, in ways that transcend traditional medical or scientific narratives. Through immersive storytelling and creative expression, our exhibitions aim to spark meaningful conversations and foster empathy across diverse audiences.
Podcasts
Our podcasts feature conversations with artists, scientists, physicians, patients, and advocates working at the intersection of art, cancer, and research. These discussions explore the creative process, personal experiences with illness, and the evolving role of art in advancing public understanding of cancer. By sharing diverse perspectives and lived experiences, the podcast series seeks to reduce stigma, expand awareness, and create accessible entry points into complex scientific and emotional topics.
Individual Artworks
This collection highlights individual works by artists whose creations engage with themes of illness, healing, resilience, and transformation. Each artwork represents a unique perspective on the cancer experience, whether grounded in personal journey, scientific inspiration, or emotional expression. Together, these works contribute to a broader narrative that uses visual language to foster reflection, connection, and deeper understanding of the human dimensions of cancer.
Educational Explorations
Our educational initiatives explore how art can enhance learning, communication, and engagement around cancer and related scientific topics. Through workshops, collaborative projects, and interdisciplinary programs, we connect artists, educators, researchers, and students to create meaningful learning experiences. These explorations aim to expand access to knowledge, encourage creative inquiry, and support new ways of understanding cancer through both artistic and scientific lenses.
Suzanne Hoekstra
Suzanne A Hoekstra, MD, FACS, is a breast cancer surgeon in Portland, Maine. She is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of New England College of Medicine and serves as a site reviewer for the National Accreditation Program for Breast Surgeons.
She has traveled the world as a medical volunteer, serving and educating those less fortunate.
Pamela Winfrey
Pamela Winfrey is the Director of the Arts for the Arizona Cancer Center for Evolution (ACE), the Director of Creative Ecosystem Design for the Cooperative Futures Institute, and the Scientific Research Curator for the Aktipis Cooperation and Conflict lab. In these capacities, she curates installations, residencies, and experiences, acting as a catalyst between artists and scientists. She is also an award-winning screenwriter, filmmaker, playwright, and novelist. You can see more about her here: pamelawinfrey.com
Dr. Sakina Farhat
Art has always captivated me. As a self-taught Indian American artist, I have created art for several years to relieve stress and express emotion. Born to an agriculturist in India, I grew up among farms, cattle, and close-knit communities, shaping my strong connection to nature. I come from a family of talented women and received childhood awards in watercolor and oil painting. My path evolved through the demands of medical school and my move to the United States, broadening my experiences and enriching my artistic voice. I am a board-certified Consultant Gastroenterologist with 14 years of training and practice in New York, and since 2018 have been based in Dubai, UAE. Witnessing illness and healing deeply informs my perspective. Inspired by vibrant color, my family and friends, my bunny Candy, and my patients, I aim to create art that fosters reflection, resilience, hope, and community well-being.
Erin McGee Ferrell
Erin McGee Ferrell is an international artist, patient research advocate, and three-time cancer survivor working at the intersection of art, cancer research, and public communication. Her work focuses on reducing cancer stigma and using visual language to open earlier, safer conversations about diagnosis, screening, and care. She has collaborated with institutions including the Arizona State University Cancer Evolution Center, the National Cancer Institute, Columbia University, and Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, and has presented work across the U.S., the Middle East, and Asia, including Bahrain, Dubai, and Saudi Arabia. Ferrell is a founding member of NCSA and a core contributor to the CA6 initiative.
Cristina Baciu
Cristina Baciu is the Assistant Director of Research at the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University, where she works collaboratively to drive the school's comprehensive research initiatives. Dr. Baciu is a higher education leader and mentoring expert who has previously served as an Administrative Director and Research Program Manager at Arizona State University, where she co-founded several mentoring programs, such as the ACE Scholars Program. Her research and practice interests focus on using mentoring as a tool for building community, student persistence, and success. She is currently working on her first book, Beyond the Campus: The Power of E-Mentoring in Modern Higher Education. Learn more about her work by visiting her website.
CA6
Housed at and supported by the Arizona Cancer Evolution Center, located at the Biodesign Institute, a research
facility at Arizona State University.
