How a cancer patient is using whimsical art and lots of paint to cope with chemotherapy - Action News
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How a cancer patient is using whimsical art and lots of paint to cope with chemotherapy

A Thornhill, Ont., woman is taking a uniqueand eye-catching approach to cope withher second round of chemotherapy.

Lezli Kuntze has been diagnosed with breast cancer twice in the past 5 years

Artists use cancer patient's head as a canvas

5 years ago
Duration 2:08
Lezli Kuntze is undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer and lost her hair as a result. Instead of using a wig, artists are using her head as a canvas. (Some photos supplied by: Rebecca Bentolila and Lezli Kuntze)

A Thornhill woman is taking a uniqueand eye-catching approach to cope withher second round of chemotherapy.

Lezli Kuntze was recently diagnosed with an aggressive form ofbreast cancer that required immediatetreatment. It's her second bout with the diseasein the last five years.

But this time around, she's founda whimsical solution to deal with her hair loss: by turningher bald head into a canvas.

"It's a great way to show positivity and love and share it with everybody in a time that can be really difficult," Kuntze said."I wanted other cancer patients to see that there's a positive way to help get through."

Since her treatment began, she's had friends and family give her head a fresh coat of paint every five to seven days.

Lezli Kuntze has had her head painted about 10 times since her chemotherapy treatment began. (Grant Linton/CBC)

Her latest design includes colourful flowers and a hummingbird. Past versions have featured rainbows, clouds, dolphins and even anoctopus.

In addition to providing the world with an unexpected splash of colour, Kuntze says the project has helped her connect with others about her cancer journey.

"It changes that conversation so that they're comfortable and coming to see the art, and then we talk about the cancer," she said.