JOHNS CREEK—More than 70 artists from the Atlanta area, many without any art background, created inspirational canvases to donate to children undergoing cancer treatment or to give to someone in need in their own family.

Caring Canvases is the ministry arm of Joy to the WORD, LLC, and its mission is to spread uplifting, positive and encouraging messages to people in need through inspirational art. To celebrate its third anniversary, the organization held “Painting It Forward” for CURE Childhood Cancer to raise awareness of childhood cancer and donations for CURE. The event was held on Sunday, Sept. 11, at Holy Redeemer School, Johns Creek. Organizers said they doubled last year’s donation and raised $3,572 for the effort to find cures for childhood cancer.

Kennedy Cobble, 24, a four-time childhood cancer survivor, and her mother, Kathy, and sister, Keaton, were guest speakers and shared about their inspirational journeys. The women work to raise awareness of childhood cancer.

The event honored the 9/11 anniversary with “God Bless America” sung by Holy Redeemer TRI-M Music Honor Society students.

Artist Eileen Sirica Cardillo is founder of Joy to the WORD and Caring Canvases and Beth O’Hara Abbott is creative associate of Caring Canvases.