Some breast cancer patients and survivors are using art therapy to take their minds off the disease.

Art therapy classes have been offered to cancer patients for several months at Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center. Most of the people who attend the classes are women battling breast cancer and survivors of the disease.

The women are using art to take their minds somewhere other than the doctor's office. They use canvas, paint, clay and brushes to create pieces of art that help them heal.

Aileen Wiles is with the Lux Center for the Arts. She leads the class.

"You don't realize how powerful like using color and paint or learning a new skill might allow you to be more vulnerable and be able to express yourself in a new way," said Wiles.

Martha Bohling is a two time cancer survivor and she attends the classes.

"For me, just to be able to come and do this and to forget about everything else, that is a lot of the healing," said Bohling.

Some of the artwork that the women created will be part of a silent auction for a breast cancer awareness event. The Power Of Pink event will take place on Friday, October 19th in Lincoln at the Downtown Holiday Inn.

The Expressions of Art & Hope art classes are offered to cancer patients and survivors free of charge.