ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Aging Untold) — Karen Jenkins turned a weed-choked, trash-filled pathway near her home into a vibrant outdoor art space while undergoing breast cancer treatment.
The pathway, which connects the street to an elementary school, now features hand-painted murals of caterpillars, butterflies, ladybugs, dragonflies, dolphins, sea turtles and an orca. Blue walls line the easement between Jenkins’ house and her neighbor’s property.
“I needed something to focus on instead of my cancer and treatment,” Jenkins said.
Jenkins discovered the breast cancer herself, not through a mammogram. She said the diagnosis felt like walking into the unknown.
After treatment, she decided to transform the neglected easement.
“This used to be all weeds and full of trash,” Jenkins said. “So, I told them that I wanted all the weeds torn up.”
Community project grows each summer
The pathway features handprints from neighborhood children who wrote their names and ages on butterfly decorations. Jenkins said she adds more to the fence each summer.
“It just helped,” Jenkins said. “It just represents life and community and involvement.”
Jenkins now spends time at the pathway with her granddaughter, Mina. She said the project helped her move on from cancer.
“It’s just being outside, enjoying my life,” Jenkins said.
‘I identify with her’
Dr. Rhea Rogers, a cancer survivor, said she identifies with Jenkins.
“I heard the words, ‘You have cancer,’” Rogers said.
“You start to notice, oh, look at the leaves, they’re green. You start to notice things that you walk through every day that you never even looked at and it’s an eye-opener, so I identify with her,” Rogers said.
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