Cancer center’s mural project becomes personal for artist
After neck cancer scare, Richmond artist Silly Genius encourages others to speak up and advocate for themselves.
April 23, 2026
Richmond-based artist Silly Genius received care for a benign tumor found in his neck. (VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center)
By Tatiana Del Valle
When Richmond-based artist Silly Genius agreed to participate in VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Brushstrokes of Discovery art project early last year, he never imagined that just six months later he’d end up becoming a cancer patient himself.
In that short time after signing up to participate in the cancer center’s special art initiative, he discovered a mass below his ear in his neck. At first, he chalked it up to aging and normal symptoms of getting older. It didn’t cause him any pain, but it didn’t go away.
“There’s this masculine idea of being stoic and thinking you don’t need to go to the doctor. The impulse was there to just write it off since I wasn’t in any pain,” he said. “Had I not gone to the doctor, who knows how this journey might have turned out. I might have waited too long, and it might have metastasized.”
After joining the Brushstrokes of Discovery art project, Silly Genius realized he was beginning to paint his own story. (VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center)
Comprehensive treatment for head and neck cancers
With a close friend who had gone through treatment at Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center and his own connection with Massey researcher Jennifer Koblinski, Ph.D., for the Brushstrokes of Discovery project, Genius naturally felt inclined to turn to the same place for his care.
In Central Virginia, Massey’s name is synonymous with “comprehensive care.” That’s in part because it is one of only two comprehensive cancer centers in Virginia.
This designation from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) means Massey offers greater access to life-saving cancer screenings and clinical trials. Massey’s experts also make it a priority to give patients educational resources to understand cancer risks and prevention, as well as to make informed decisions about their care.
While the treatment is challenging, the good thing is that we have a lot of resources and a huge team to take care of a single patient.
Shiyu Song, M.D., a radiation oncologist at VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center
During an initial exam in March 2025, Massey’s head and neck cancer treatment team discovered that Genius had a mass on his parotid gland – the largest salivary gland in front of the ear. After going through CT scans and biopsies to assess his condition, the team determined the mass needed to be removed.
Two months later, Genius underwent surgery. Fortunately, the mass itself was found to be benign. However, his doctors did find some low-grade cancer cells, so he wasn’t fully in the clear.
“I went to the hospital thinking it was probably just some sort of crazy bump, and then immediately having this cancer scare,” Genius said.
To treat the low-grade cells, he needed six weeks of daily radiation to target and destroy any remaining cancer cell DNA.
“While the treatment is challenging, the good thing is that we have a lot of resources and a huge team to take care of a single patient, including medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, nurse navigators, social workers, speech pathologists, as well as other nurses and doctors,” said Shiyu Song, M.D., a radiation oncologist specializing in head and neck cancers who oversaw Genius’ radiation treatment. “It is a huge team that provides a lot of resources to support patients going through the whole treatment and makes the work more efficient and cohesive.”
While he is now in good health, Genuis will have to continue routine CT scans every six to 12 months to ensure the mass doesn’t return. Reflecting on his experience, Genius encourages those in similar positions to speak up and be their own advocate.
“Seek help... If you feel something off about yourself, there’s no shame in going to get checked out. The idea of being tough is not worth it,” he said.
