The Science of Social Impact

When You Share, The World Opens Up: Jenna Benn Shersher, Twist Out Cancer

Episode Summary

"When you share, the world opens up." Listen to how Jenna Benn Shersher's story and how a spontaneous moment of dancing inspired a movement that has been able to touch thousands of lives affected by cancer from around the world.

Episode Notes

Twist Out Cancer (TOC) was built on the belief that when you share, the world opens up. At the age of 29, Jenna Benn Shersher was diagnosed with grey zone lymphoma—a rare form of cancer which affects less than 300 people in the United States.

Midway through treatment, Jenna, a dancer at heart, was isolated due to her compromised immune system. Alone and longing for the days when she could dance freely, she created an online video of herself doing the twist. She asked her friends to join her on her virtual dance floor, and within days, Jenna’s challenge was met by hundreds of videos of thousands of people dancing around the world. She no longer felt alone but instead connected to and supported by a community of twisters. When Jenna completed treatment she knew that she wanted to give back in a meaningful way. She recognized the power of sharing and the importance of creating a support community that caters to the psychosocial needs of those affected by cancer. Thus: Twist Out Cancer was born.

You can learn more about this awesome organization at twistoutcancer.org, and you can see the famous "Twist" that started it all right here