The One Where We Help Vanessa Battle Cancer

HeArtfully Mine- The Story Behind a Mother, Friend, Loved One and Artist Battling Cancer

Thanks for taking the time to read this, we know time is precious and life is busy. You may or may not know our friend Vanessa Zoeller, the passion behind a local Cleveland business, Artfully Mine. Perhaps you are a family member, a friend, or someone who she helped inspire to create their first piece of art. If you know her, you know how wonderful she is, if you don’t, we hope you will soon. We know her as a loyal friend, talented artist, loving mother, supportive partner, and overall beautiful person. However you fit into her life, you are lucky to be there. We want to tell you a little bit about her, why we love her, and ask for your help in supporting her through some tough times.

A Cleveland native, and die-hard supporter of this city, Vanessa has been driven by a single goal: to create and inspire others to create. Ten years ago, Vanessa left her career to chase her passion. She bravely started her own art business, Artfully Mine. She almost lost her business during the pandemic. Funds have been tight since, but she is too passionate to give up. In this she has found new outlets for her creativity and ways to focus on building a young family. Six years ago, her and her fiancé decided to start a family, and they were blessed with the arrival of their son Wyland. Unfortunately, the birth of their son also brought on a diagnosis of cervical cancer. She was able to overcome this and came out of it even stronger.

Vanessa is the one that reaches out just to check in and make sure you're doing ok, and will know if you’re not, usually before you do. She's the one who plans the most creative parties, down to the tiniest little detail. She will always have snacks, and she will ALWAYS hold your babies. She loves holidays more than anyone, is the queen of Game Night, and she can recite every word of every single episode of Friends. She loves Halloween so much she made sure her son would be born that day (true story).

Last year brought a marriage proposal, a growing business and a growing son when things took a turn. In November, while preparing for the biggest painting event of the year, The Christmas Connection at the IX Center, she noticed her health declining. She thought it was just the stress of preparing for the show. But then she felt the lump. Putting her health and mental well-being aside, she powered through it so her clients could bring some of her love for the holidays home with one of her festive designs. A few days after the show wrapped, she got the diagnosis no one wants to hear, let alone a cancer survivor. It was a new cancer.

Vanessa was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer: triple negative. She was told she would need to start chemo immediately, and that the treatment for this type of cancer would be an aggressive course of drugs with side effects that have left her feeling beaten down, but not beat.

Vanessa is determined, stubborn, and strong. After her diagnosis, she made a choice to stay positive not only for herself, but for her son and fiancé. She has overcome so much in so many areas of her life, and she will overcome this, too. But she needs our help.

Vanessa has had to put her business on hold indefinitely as her treatments are leaving her exhausted and sick. Funds raised will go directly to Vanessa to take care of ongoing expenses and support her sweet family while she focuses on healing.

A little goes a long way. Please help us help her. Vanessa has always been one to set her needs aside if it benefits someone else’s more. We all need a reminder sometimes that it’s ok to not be ok, but no one should have to go through this.

We thank you kindly in advance for your generous donation to Vanessa, no matter how big or small. Let Vanessa’s story be a reminder to check in on your loved ones and reach out to yours if you are ever in need.