Newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma, Steve Nolan called every person in the country rumored to have the same form of cancer. He was misinformed about NJ DeVico’s leukemia; she had myelodysplastic syndrome. The initial phone call revealed his love of poetry and her love of art. A collaboration—and friendship—was born.

Nolan has been writing poetry for 40 years, has spent time in Afghanistan, and as a social worker in the US Army and Air Force. DeVico fell in love with Crayola crayons 56 years ago, but has since moved up to oil pastels.