As many of my faithful blog readers know, I am a huge supporter of the fight against Breast Cancer. I’ve done the 3-day walk, donated sessions to survivors, and gifted items or money to fundraisers to support the cause. I have had friends and family members diagnosed, and also a few very special clients along the way who I was lucky enough to photograph through their journey, however short it was cut.
It is the culmination of these experiences that has brought me to today, to announce a very special project that I am *thrilled* to be a part of. Along with one of my best friends (a survivor herself), I am proud to introduce
A photographic essay celebrating survivors and the lessons they have learned. We’ve been photographing and interviewing survivors for the last few months (with many more still to post and scheduled to shoot!) and finally have the site up and running. There are no “donate” buttons, no meetings to attend. It’s just a collection of portraits of these brave women, along with a little excerpt of their story. Every story is unique, and every perspective has its place.
In their words, we see that our reactions are completely different, and yet eerily similar, no matter the age, race, or background. In their faces, we see the strength of a warrior, yet still with the softness and beauty of a woman, a fighter’s spirit with a mother’s touch. That glimmer of a smile in their eyes, the sense of humor that got them through the long nights, yet still that hint of sadness, from eyes that have seen more pain and faced greater fears than any one person should have to endure.
Please take a moment to check it out, read their stories, leave a comment if you are so inclined. And feel free to check back, as we hope to be adding more faces and stories in the next few weeks. We are beyond excited about this project, and we hope you feel the same.
Lastly, why the boxing gloves? I’ll let Stacy, one of our participants, explain it for you:
“Boxing is the perfect metaphor for cancer. It isn’t a war, where you’re hiding in bushes, covered in camouflage and firing covert missiles at a faraway target.
It’s just you, and the cancer, in that ring together. Face to face, one on one.
Sure, you’ve got a stadium full of fans, cheering you on, but you’re the only one taking the punches, you’re the only one really feeling the blow.
That’s why it’s so important to have someone in your corner who’s been there, who can tell you when to bob and when to weave, when to give yourself a break,
and when to raise your arms in victory.”
