I've been photographing, editing, ordering, etc. - all the usual photography stuff. And, I've been working specifically on the survivor project. Check out the updated survivor page on our website - acknowledging the cancer survivors we photograph as more than just survivors. In more ways than one, they are heroes!
I haven't blogged much on this site, because I've been working on my personal blog quite a bit. Check it out if you'd like.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Friday, September 2, 2011
Survivorship
This month is a big month for cancer awareness. It's best known as breast cancer awareness month. But did you know it's also:
Gynecological/ovarian cancer month
Childhood cancer month
Prostate cancer month
Leukemia & Lymphoma month
So, for the month of September, if you call and schedule a family, child or senior session for September or October, 50% of your session fee and 10% of your order will go to American Cancer Society or to Oklahoma CureSearch Walk for Children's Cancer.
And, today, I got an e-mail from OU Cancer Center that they aren't going to participate in the Survivor Project this year after all. I was a little disappointed. But at the same time, it was a little liberating. I was waiting to hear from them, thinking we would be moving forward aggressively toward getting photographs and designing a calendar to raise money for them. So I was kind of holding back on pursuing the broader project, since they wanted the photos to be of their patients.
When I originally went to them, I was looking for two things. The first and most important, was a willingness to be on the receiving end of the project - mainly because that's where I was treated for my own cancer, and I really wanted to give something back in the form of raising money for research. The second was maybe some help in finding more people to be photographed for the project. I figured on doing the design work and getting the calendars printed myself, and even doing the distribution for the most part through area businesses. They seemed to really catch a vision for it and were offering to do more - including the printing and helping with the distribution through the hospital and through various support groups. However, the more they seemed willing to take on, the more the bean counters were wanting to see some numbers, and the more they realized they didn't have the time to invest in it this Fall.
So, here we are! No help. No resources. Only a passion and a plan.
I need help from area business who are willing to donate to the printing of the calendars. We may need to raise about $5000 to print 1000 calendars - unless we can find a printer willing to give us a better price. If we can sell the calendars for $20 each, depending on the help we get with printing that's around $15,000 we can raise to fight cancer.
If we can get the people in front of the camera, we could print an 18 month calendar (July 2012 through December 2013) to sell next Spring. Other wise we would sell it in the Summer & Fall as a 2013 calendar.
In addition, I will print images to be displayed in area businesses, like the displays we have at Contemporary Family Dentistry and Ribs 'n' More. We will publicize the displays in order to drive traffic to the businesses, and may even have a contest where people can vote on their favorite images. If anyone books a portrait session from the cards we will have with the displays, 10% of their session fee and 10% of their order total will also be donated.
So, I'm also looking for cancer survivors - that means you currently have or have had cancer. You may still be in treatment, or you may be "in remission," or you may have been declared cancer free. This may be your first year to deal with it, or you may be a 20 year survivor. Doesn't matter. You may not feel great, or feel particularly pretty, especially if you're still in treatment. I know the feeling. Been there. I'm a survivor, too. That's why I want to fight back and give cancer a punch in the gut. And I'm asking you to join me. Call me at 517-4654 and let's talk about how we can create an image of you that will make a statement and help give cancer a worse beating than it's given you! It won't cost you anything. If you want to purchase photos, I'm not out to make money off you - how does just 10% over cost sound?
Tell your friends who are battling, or have battled cancer, to call me, too.
Gynecological/ovarian cancer month
Childhood cancer month
Prostate cancer month
Leukemia & Lymphoma month
So, for the month of September, if you call and schedule a family, child or senior session for September or October, 50% of your session fee and 10% of your order will go to American Cancer Society or to Oklahoma CureSearch Walk for Children's Cancer.
And, today, I got an e-mail from OU Cancer Center that they aren't going to participate in the Survivor Project this year after all. I was a little disappointed. But at the same time, it was a little liberating. I was waiting to hear from them, thinking we would be moving forward aggressively toward getting photographs and designing a calendar to raise money for them. So I was kind of holding back on pursuing the broader project, since they wanted the photos to be of their patients.
When I originally went to them, I was looking for two things. The first and most important, was a willingness to be on the receiving end of the project - mainly because that's where I was treated for my own cancer, and I really wanted to give something back in the form of raising money for research. The second was maybe some help in finding more people to be photographed for the project. I figured on doing the design work and getting the calendars printed myself, and even doing the distribution for the most part through area businesses. They seemed to really catch a vision for it and were offering to do more - including the printing and helping with the distribution through the hospital and through various support groups. However, the more they seemed willing to take on, the more the bean counters were wanting to see some numbers, and the more they realized they didn't have the time to invest in it this Fall.
So, here we are! No help. No resources. Only a passion and a plan.
I need help from area business who are willing to donate to the printing of the calendars. We may need to raise about $5000 to print 1000 calendars - unless we can find a printer willing to give us a better price. If we can sell the calendars for $20 each, depending on the help we get with printing that's around $15,000 we can raise to fight cancer.
If we can get the people in front of the camera, we could print an 18 month calendar (July 2012 through December 2013) to sell next Spring. Other wise we would sell it in the Summer & Fall as a 2013 calendar.
In addition, I will print images to be displayed in area businesses, like the displays we have at Contemporary Family Dentistry and Ribs 'n' More. We will publicize the displays in order to drive traffic to the businesses, and may even have a contest where people can vote on their favorite images. If anyone books a portrait session from the cards we will have with the displays, 10% of their session fee and 10% of their order total will also be donated.
So, I'm also looking for cancer survivors - that means you currently have or have had cancer. You may still be in treatment, or you may be "in remission," or you may have been declared cancer free. This may be your first year to deal with it, or you may be a 20 year survivor. Doesn't matter. You may not feel great, or feel particularly pretty, especially if you're still in treatment. I know the feeling. Been there. I'm a survivor, too. That's why I want to fight back and give cancer a punch in the gut. And I'm asking you to join me. Call me at 517-4654 and let's talk about how we can create an image of you that will make a statement and help give cancer a worse beating than it's given you! It won't cost you anything. If you want to purchase photos, I'm not out to make money off you - how does just 10% over cost sound?
Tell your friends who are battling, or have battled cancer, to call me, too.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Hancocks on I-240
Many, many thanks to Hancock's Fabric Store on I-240 for help in finding and getting the best price and discounts on fabric for the scarves for our survivor project. Most of the images will be black and white with a splash of color. The color will be a scarf or hat in the color that represents their particular cancer.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
More Survivor News
Had a great meeting yesterday afternoon at Stevenson Cancer Center. Von, Jari, & Joel were very encouraging and supportive of the Survivor Project. They have a couple of things to run by "legal," mainly to see if we need some type of contract saying who does what toward the completion of the project. Then they should be referring people to participate in the project within the next couple of weeks. We're hoping to have a calendar printed and for sale by sometime in November!
We also got a tour of the Center. It's amazing! I hope you never need it, but if you ever have cancer, consider it. It's state of the art - for both treatment and research! The equipment they have for radiation is some of the best. They are in the process of installing one of the newest and best proton therapy machines.* They can do PET Scans, and other diagnostics on site. They can do chemo on site. There is a cafe, a large "living room," family areas, children's play areas (as children often accompany parents who are there for treatment). The living room is right next to the cafe, with lots of comfortable seating, coffee tables, books and a player, grand piano with everything from classical music to Beatle's tunes. Lot's of books and resource materials.... Children are generally treated at the children's hospital, but radiation equipment is too expensive to duplicate. So, children needing radiation would use the equipment in the Center, and there are toys and books for them in that area, too. There's even a beauty salon to help women get a wig, get it styled, and learn how to deal with hair loss and how to style their hair as they lose it and as it grows back. Ah, I keep thinking of things I saw, but suffice it to say, they seem to have thought of pretty much everything to make help people deal with the experience of cancer and treatment. It is all so much less "clinical" than anywhere I went for diagnosis or treatment. Much more comfortable and relaxed.
I asked Trish what stood out to her. She said it was the people. Everyone we met, receptionists, treatment staff, people in the hallways, elevators, or offices, had a smile on their face. It was as though they were actually glad to be there, as though this was more than just a job. Von, Jari, and Joel were the same way. This wasn't about fund-raising so the Center would be there and they would have a job. This was all about the patients and how to meet their needs.
*The proton therapy machine will be one of three in the nation by the time installation is complete. There are currently 6 cities (if I remember right) where proton therapy is available, including OKCity. This will make the 2nd location here. Pretty unique that Oklahoma City will have two! But OU is also involved heavily in research as well as treatment, so there is double value in having this machine located here.
We also got a tour of the Center. It's amazing! I hope you never need it, but if you ever have cancer, consider it. It's state of the art - for both treatment and research! The equipment they have for radiation is some of the best. They are in the process of installing one of the newest and best proton therapy machines.* They can do PET Scans, and other diagnostics on site. They can do chemo on site. There is a cafe, a large "living room," family areas, children's play areas (as children often accompany parents who are there for treatment). The living room is right next to the cafe, with lots of comfortable seating, coffee tables, books and a player, grand piano with everything from classical music to Beatle's tunes. Lot's of books and resource materials.... Children are generally treated at the children's hospital, but radiation equipment is too expensive to duplicate. So, children needing radiation would use the equipment in the Center, and there are toys and books for them in that area, too. There's even a beauty salon to help women get a wig, get it styled, and learn how to deal with hair loss and how to style their hair as they lose it and as it grows back. Ah, I keep thinking of things I saw, but suffice it to say, they seem to have thought of pretty much everything to make help people deal with the experience of cancer and treatment. It is all so much less "clinical" than anywhere I went for diagnosis or treatment. Much more comfortable and relaxed.
I asked Trish what stood out to her. She said it was the people. Everyone we met, receptionists, treatment staff, people in the hallways, elevators, or offices, had a smile on their face. It was as though they were actually glad to be there, as though this was more than just a job. Von, Jari, and Joel were the same way. This wasn't about fund-raising so the Center would be there and they would have a job. This was all about the patients and how to meet their needs.
*The proton therapy machine will be one of three in the nation by the time installation is complete. There are currently 6 cities (if I remember right) where proton therapy is available, including OKCity. This will make the 2nd location here. Pretty unique that Oklahoma City will have two! But OU is also involved heavily in research as well as treatment, so there is double value in having this machine located here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)