Tag: cancer

Photo of the Day: Team Suzi

On By LindyIn photography5 Comments

Today’s photo is more about the meaning behind it than the quality or creativity of the photo. I work at the American Cancer Society, and we recently found out that our coworker was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer. I hate all cancer, but especially pancreatic cancer. My aunt died of it about 2 1/2 years ago, and it’s the only cancer that hasn’t had any significant breakthroughs in the last 40 years. My coworkers have rallied together to support her every way possible. Today we all wore “Team Suzi” t-shirts, made her signs of encouragement, and took group photos.

Displaying our support for a coworker with pancreatic cancer

 

Project 52 Week 45: What Do Hockey & Cancer Have in Common?

On By LindyIn charity, photography

What do hockey teams and fighting cancer have in common? They both have a desire to kick butt! Saturday evening was the annual Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Night at the Missouri Mavericks hockey game. We had a great time with family & friends supporting a cause near and dear to our hearts. This will be the third Thanksgiving and Christmas without my aunt, but I don’t think the holidays have gotten any easier for my family. She’s greatly missed … we’ll continue this in her honor.

Three young girls cheer for the Mavericks as they sport their purple Pancreatic Cancer Action Network apparel.
Stretching before the 3rd period – the most flexible hockey player I’ve ever seen.

 

Making Strides to End Breast Cancer

On By LindyIn charity, photography

Last weekend I was an event photographer for the fabulous Making Strides Against Breast Cancer charity walk in Kansas City. It started out chilly , but it turned into a beautiful day. Best of all – the event raised over $322,000 for the American Cancer Society’s fight to end breast cancer! This year I walked the route with my camera, so I got to see some great views of the city flooded in pink.

Kansas City’s Union Station illuminated in pink as the sun begins to rise
The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Chevy Camaro a pace car
One of the cutest walkers
Liberty Memorial flooded with thousands of people for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
Ladies dancing & having fun during the opening ceremonies
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walkers taking a lap around Liberty Memorial
Remembering those who have fought breast cancer

Project 52 Week 39: Purple Light

On By LindyIn charity, family, night photography, photography

Last week my extended family attended Purple Light – a vigil to honor & remember loved ones who have faced pancreatic cancer. The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network hosts the event to raise awareness about pancreatic cancer and how desperately funding is needed for research to learn more about the deadly disease. Survival rates are the lowest among all cancers and haven’t improved over the last 40 years.

In memory of Aunt Jill.

A world with less breast cancer…

On By LindyIn charity, photography

… is a world with more birthdays. Last week I was asked to photograph the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Kickoff Breakfast in Kansas City. It was held at Arrowhead Stadium and it’s a great cause, so I was happy to help out. Making Strides is an American Cancer Society 5k walk benefiting breast cancer. There are events all across the country, so if breast cancer is something you’re passionate about, check out makingstrideswalk.org.

We arrived at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Kickoff Breakfast well before sunrise.
The breakfast was held at Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Attendees grabbed breakfast before the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer presentation.
About 300 guests attended the free breakfast to learn about the Making Strides walk.
Emcee Davo, from Mix 93.3, along with American Cancer Society staff person Lauren, hosted the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer breakfast.
Two women’s health physicians had a great presentation about signs of breast cancer, what to expect during a mammogram, and going through breast cancer treatment.
Future Making Strides team captains talked with Society staff after the event. Staff will stay in contact with team captains from now until the October 27 walk.

Project 52 Week 27: We’ll Always Remember

On By LindyIn charity, night photography, photography

Friday and Saturday was our annual American Cancer Society Relay For Life. During Relay we celebrate cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. Remembering is the hardest, most touching part of the evening. It’s been just over 2 years since we lost my aunt Jill to pancreatic cancer; so many others were missing their loved ones that night too. It’s not too late to make a difference – our Relay is raising money through August 31. You can make a donation here.

P.S. My canvas print of this photo sold for $90 in the Relay For Life live auction … I was beyond excited!

During the luminaria ceremony, we walk the dark track silently as names of those who’ve had cancer are spoken.

 

Project 52 Week 23: A Lesson In Life

On By LindyIn charity, photography2 Comments

Friday afternoon I had the privilege of attending Shave to Save – an American Cancer Society Hope Lodge fundraiser. People are asked to raise $5,000 for the Hope Lodge. Their reward? Their heads are shaved. De De, the lady pictured below, is one of the most upbeat women I’ve ever seen … and her daughter has cancer. She and her daughter have spent many months staying for free at the Hope Lodge while her daughter undergoes cancer treatment. Despite going through such hardship, both of them were full of positive energy – constantly smiling and laughing. What an inspiration!

 

Learn more about Hope Lodge.

Support the American Cancer Society by buying one of my photographic prints.

De De laughs as her head is shaved for the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge’s Shave to Save fundraiser, while her daughter Gypsy, who has cancer, laughs right behind her. Gypsy’s shirt says, “I HATE CANCER.”

GIVEAWAY: Kansas City Wall Art!

On By LindyIn giveaway, photography, specials

If you looked at my photo of the week yesterday, you may have seen that I just opened up an Etsy site to sell prints of my work. Because I’m as passionate about fighting cancer as I am about photography, I’m selling these prints as a fundraiser for Relay For Life. To kick off the grand opening of my Etsy store, I’m offering a GIVEAWAY! The first five customers who order one print or more will receive a second print of equal size for free! See the details below.

 

Check out my Etsy Shop.

 

* Giveaway ends May 14.
* When placing the order, indicate which print you’d like in the Notes to Seller section.
* Must pay shipping on the first print; second print will be shipped with the first print free of charge.
* If you order a 5×7, you will receive a 5×7 free. If you order an 8×10, you will receive an 8×10 unless you request a 5×7.
* Once the 5 customers have placed their orders, I will post an update on this page indicating the giveaway is over.
* Must have a U.S. address.
* 100% of proceeds will be donated to my 2012 Relay For Life team.

Take Your DOG To Work Day?

On By LindyIn charity, photography

You read it right – my office hosted Take Your Dog To Work Day on Friday. We had about fifteen dogs in the office, and for a couple of hours they were all in one room for some festivities. It sounds like complete chaos, but the dogs were on their best behavior at all times. Why did we host Take Your Dog To Work Day? I’m so glad you asked. Our staff wanted to promote a fairly new American Cancer Society event called Bark For Life, which is basically a Relay For Life for dogs. There will be two Bark For Life events in Kansas City this April/May. If you have a dog, you should look to see if there’s a Bark For Life in your area!

One of the many cute participants of Take Your Dog To Work Day at the American Cancer Society.
Brandy was one of the best-behaved dogs, as she stayed in her owner’s cubicle all day!
This is Ozzie, named after a St. Louis Cardinals player.
This dog should have won a ‘cutest face’ contest!
Many dogs hung out at the American Cancer Society office all day.