Locks

By Cara Laviola Photos by Christa Smothers

Laurie Clements knows what it takes to survive cancer.

That’s why she decided to help her fellow breast cancer patients at Grant Medical Center by doing something she loves: painting.

“Laurie came to us and said that her experience as a breast cancer patient at Grant was so positive and so inspiring, and her experience with seeing others receive treatment … made her want to do something,” says Pam Glasgow, OhioHealth development director. “She is a trained and skilled painter, and she wanted to use that talent to benefit others going through cancer treatment.”

Clements founded Locks and a Lift, an annual fundraising gala and auction that has raised more than $50,000 since 2008 for women battling breast cancer through Grant Cancer Services. This year’s event will be held Oct. 13 in the lobby at the Residence at Creekside in Gahanna.

Clements came up with the name of the event – “locks” for hair and “a lift” for transportation, though “a lift” can also symbolize how the event is trying to lift spirits.

“(Clements) is just a truly wonderful and talented person who is using her talents to make a difference for others,” Glasgow says. “We (at OhioHealth) have been happy to support her in her efforts.”

Clements plans to auction 20 to 25 of her oil paintings this year.

“I taught at the Columbus College of Art and Design for 10 years, and then I was busy raising my kids so I didn’t participate in my own artwork for some time,” she says. “I decided it was time to get back to that.”