JANE

Artists: Jill Wilson & Sarah Bybee

Community Leader: Heather Tahja – Rock Island Arsenal

Sponsor: University of Iowa Healthcare

Location: Western Illinois University, Moline

The name for this sculpture and the image in which it was created is based on stories told by Heather, a local ovarian cancer survivor. Jane is an ovarian cancer survivor and Normaleah board member who reached out to Heather in the dark days immediately following her 2018 diagnosis, providing resources, comfort, and encouragement. Although they hadn’t met, Jane showed up to hold Heather’s hand during her first round of chemotherapy. This small gesture gave her hope. Heather said, “There’s no earthly words to describe the profound impact that Jane’s kindness towards me, a complete stranger, had during some of my darkest days. She is my forever hero”. The hands over the sculpture’s heart represent Jane and the power of love and kindness.

JANE is also the name of the artists’ centenaurian neighbor with sparkling blue eyes that have seen l00 years of adventures. Jane doesn’t worry when she will gain her wings. She focuses on living each day to the fullest and making memories with friends and family. Jane’s laughter fills a room and we could all learn a lot about how to embrace life. The colorful beaded bodice represents Jane’s sparkling eyes. JANE also stands for JESUS, ART, NATURE, and ENERGY, the four things that empowered Heather most on her ovarian cancer journey. The wings represent one of Heather’s favorite Bible verses, Psalm 91, “he will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings, you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” Heather dreams of a world where there is a cure for ovarian cancer. Until then, she advocates relentlessly for all women and spreads education and awareness about ovarian cancer.