NewYork-Presbyterian Hosts “The Art of Healing” Live Podcast and Art Workshop

Surrounded by images of her art and colorful palettes of pinks, blues, and magentas, artist and multicancer survivor Kiley Durham walked on the stage to warm applause. As part of NewYork-Presbyterian’s “Art of Healing” event, Kiley, along with her medical oncologist Dr. Tessa Cigler and radiation oncologist Dr. John Ng, recorded a live episode of the Health Matters podcast with host Courtney Allison. The evening also featured an art therapy workshop, allowing participants to experience the healing power of art.

During the podcast, Kiley recounted in vivid detail her remarkable journey after being diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer as a 36-year-old mother of two young children. She also spoke about the important role that art played as she underwent treatment and in her recovery.

“This is a very special night for us,” said Devika Mathrani, chief marketing and communications officer at NewYork-Presbyterian, as she welcomed more than 100 people to the event. “Kiley’s story is full of endurance, resilience, and inspiration. It has been such an honor to enable her to share her story with all of you.”

Kiley discussed the “heart-racing, throat-tightening” moment when she received the call with her initial breast cancer diagnosis, and recalled how soon after she met Dr. Cigler, they prioritized talking about her hair. “My husband said, ‘Let’s talk about the treatment first; we’ll get back to the hair,’” Kiley told the audience. “And Dr. Cigler said, ‘No, this is very important to her. She is about to have a lot of things change. Let’s do something to make it easier.’ And so we talked about the wig and where I should go. It was just the most human, empathetic moment in the middle of a season that became very scientific. I was hearing about medications and side effects and blood counts — and to pause for just one little second and be so incredibly human was so comforting and really helped me through.”

Kiley also remembered how her care team went to extraordinary lengths to treat her cancer recurrences. A year after her first diagnosis, Kiley discovered she had a brain tumor, which was successfully treated with surgery and radiation. Then a year after that, she had a devastating diagnosis of cancer in her cerebrospinal fluid and meninges, the protective membranes that cover the brain and spine. The rare complication, called leptomeningeal disease, was considered terminal.

Recounted Kiley: “That was the first time I cried at a doctor’s appointment. [Dr. Ng and I], we all had tears in our eyes. I kept pushing him, wanting to know more. How long do I have? Is it what I read on Google? He said, ‘Let’s just put our heads together. We’re going to [figure this out].’ One of the amazing things about my doctors is that I have such a good, trusting relationship that when we had to move at the speed of light to stop this thing, I could trust them.”

Dr. Cigler introduced an immunotherapy regimen, combined with targeted radiation; the treatment was a success. Kiley showed no more signs of disease three months later.

The audience also heard from Dr. Cigler and Dr. Ng, who were just two members of the large team that oversaw Kiley’s care in her seven-year journey. They discussed their approach to cancer care, including how they tailor treatment and consider the individual needs of each patient. “You treat with your heart, not just your head,” Dr. Ng told the audience. “These are lives, not just the person in front of you, but entire families.”

The conversation ended with notes of gratitude – gratitude from Kiley for the care team that remained in her corner every step of the way, and gratitude from the doctors as well. Said Dr. Cigler: “Kiley is just a reminder of the incredible privilege that comes with being able to do what I do. It’s the notions of hope and resilience and grace. That’s really just the best part of my job.”