January - Carolyn Dillard

MEET CAROLYN
The model for the month of January is Rachel Carolyn Dillard. She is from Dayton, Tennessee. She appears in this photograph with her 2 daughters (Janette, on her right, and Rachel, on her left) and 2 grand-daughters (Leah, on her right, and Allison, on her left). Carolyn was diagnosed in August of 2004 while fullfilling a promise to her sister, who passed away from breast cancer, by getting her yearly mammogram. Carolyn, who is 56, lost her mother to breast cancer when she was young. Her mother was only 50 years old. As treatment, Carolyn chose to have a masectomy in 2004 and has been cancer free ever since.

Her words to others that may be experiencing the same thing were, "Keep positive thoughts!"

MEET JOJO
I am a portrait and wedding photographer who also lives in Dayton, Tennessee. I joined this project in the hopes that we can make a difference in someone's life. I love to photograph people. Carolyn is my cousin. I would never have known that she suffered this disease had it not been for this project. I am grateful to have heard her story and even more so for the chance to spend some time with this wonderful lady. Just remember ladies, EARLY DETECTION SAVES LIVES!! GET A MAMMOGRAM EVERY YEAR!!

Jojo can be reached at: jojophotoe@yahoo.com
or, visit my photoblog at: http://photosbyjojo.blogspot.com

Photograph by Jojo Boudreau

Month of June - Michele Forsten

June's model is Michele Forsten (left), 53, who sees herself as a Cancer Thriver. Her mother had been diagnosed with breast cancer in 1972 at the age of 42 and had had a radical mastectomy. She died less than four years later. When Michele turned 46 and seemed to be cancer-free, she thought she was home free. She had had several tumors removed from both breasts starting at age 16, and all of them had been benign.

So it was both a surprise and not a surprise when she was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 47 in 2002. She had a double mastectomy and TRAM flap reconstruction. In 2003, she co-founded the New York City Lesbian Cancer Support Consortium in response to the lack of support services for lesbians with cancer and their caregivers. With a cancer status of NED (no evidence of disease), she co-facilitates a cancer support group offered by the New York City GLBT Center's Lesbian Cancer Initiative, which is funded in part by the Komen Foundation. She is a published writer and produced playwright (www.micheleforsten.com). Michele and her life partner, Barbara, have been together close to 25 years.

In Michele's words:
"Barbara and I had been together almost 19 years when we found out I had breast cancer. She stood by me 'in sickness and health' through my long recovery. For that, I will always be grateful."

The photographer: Beth Hommel lives and works in New York City, where she creates images as unique as the actors, artists and families she photographs. She was honored to participate in this project and hope her contribution helps highlight the fact that the women fighting--and defeating--breast cancer come in all shapes, colors and orientations. Beth can be contacted at bethhommel.com.

August

I asked Maggie for a short paragraph from her so I could put her words here for everyone to read.

These are her words:

"Cancer Sucks!!! Having said that, I'll relate a little about myself. I discovered the lump in the Fall of 2001. I told my husband Bill and decided to not have it checked until after the Holidays. My choice, not my husbands. On New Years Eve, we followed a hallowed Southern Tradition of eating collard greens and black-eyed peas, which were supposed to be lucky. Right! In January of 2002 I went for a mammogram and the Dr. immediately sent me to see a surgeon. That same day, the Dr. did a biopsy and confirmed cancer. The surgery was done on February 4th, 2002. To make a very long story shorter, I decided to get a modified radical mastectomy and breast reconstruction at the same time. I did not want to wake up without a breast. After 10 hours of surgery I woke up in recovery. The surgeon did a masterful job of breast removal, and the plastic surgeon used excessive tissue from my tummy for the breast reconstruction. Imagine a boob job and a tummy tuck at the same time. The thing I remember most during that time is the love and support of my family and friends. My husband was with me through all of it. The surgery, recovery, and the ups and downs of chemotherapy. He, my children, grandchildren, and friends made me realize just how important and vital their support and love are to not only just surviving, but living as well. As a side note we now use a rabbit foot for luck now."

Maggie Straub
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Photograph of Bill and Maggie Straub by James Stanton

I have done quite a bit of portrait sessions since I have taken up this hobby. But I have never walked away from one feeling so good. Bill and Maggie have been married for 12 years now and it is not very often I get to see them but the one thing that is evident every time I visit them is the passion they both share for life, family, and each other. They could pass for newlyweds to someone that has just met them.

James Stanton

CALENDARS FOR THE CURE!!

Calendars for the Cure! Each calendar is $15.00 and proceeds go to benefit Breast Cancer research. Order yours today! Check out is a breeze, just click on the Add to Cart button and complete your transaction through PayPal.

March

About Kimberly
March features Kimberly Shuford from Marion, NC. She is married with three wonderful children -- Brooklyn, Amber, and Chad. Diagnosed in June, 2007, Kimberly has faced this challenge as she has others -- head on. With a strong faith, and leaning on God every step, Kimberly has sought to live life to its fullest and she brings laughter and happiness to all around her. As my husband's first cousin, and very close to my age, I wanted to feature Kimberly to bring her beautiful face and shining spirit to others around the country. I have included pictures of her daughters to show their winsome spirit

Kimberly would offer to anyone just facing this to "just take life one day at a time, stay in the here and now, and trust God completely."

About Karma Shuford
I have been "into" photography for almost 6 years, and have been a semi-professional for almost 2. I enjoy the creative process of photography and absolutely love making people smile by presenting shots that they like. My highest compliment has been, "You really captured his personality in that one!" I wanted to participate in this project to help spread the message that early detection saves lives and there is hope after diagnoses! I live in Canton, NC with my husband and my favorite subjects, 5 year old Travis and 2 year old Kristiana (aka -- The Princess).

Month of October - Elaine Zager

October's page is graced by Elaine Zager.



"In early 2004 my older sister and dear friend (one in the same) was diagnosed with breast cancer.It was in our family history, but I guess I’d never really given any thought to mine, or either of my sisters, potential risk. Ellen had a mastectomy, had lymph nodes removed, endured chemotherapy, radiation. I traveled up to Minnesota a few times that year to be with her, to help her in anyway I could. She was, after all, diagnosed with cancer. In December 2004, just after finishing her radiation, she was approached by a friend and informed about the Breast Cancer 3-Day walk. Without hesitation, she answered yes. The walk was only 6 months away. When she called me about it, my first and only thought was, if she can do it, I have no excuse! I joined, and in June of 2005 she and I, along with our other teammates, participated in our first Twin Cities walk. Out of 9 women on our team, three of them are survivors. The experience is something I can hardly describe in words, let alone do it any justice in just a paragraph. I now consider myself a “co-survivor”. I have participated in the 2005 and 2007 Twin Cities walk, I am registered for the 2008 Twin Cities walk, I participate in a Breast Cancer Early Detection Study twice a year, enduring mammograms, MRI’s and ultra sounds with the hope of finding means to detect this disease as early as possible. I buy pink, lots of pink.

My sister is my hero. I had said earlier that ‘she was, in fact, diagnosed with cancer’, but besides the loss of some physical features you’d never know it. She beat this disease, and she beat it good. Although I’m sure she had incidents of feeling the pain and being depressed, I never saw it. She accepted the hand that was dealt and went about life.

There have been so many strides in the fight against breast cancer. I do what I can to help contribute to that fight. I believe that some day there will be a world without cancer. All the things that I do, the walk, the study, the awareness, I do it because I can, I do it for those who can’t, and I do it because it does make a difference."

Photograph by Eric Stanfield.

Calendar Cover

The cover of our calendar features survivor Lisa Aprati, an anchor/producer with Comcast Network Chicago.


















"I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005, at the age of 35. I was performing a self breast exam one evening in January when I found the lump in my left breast. I immediately contacted my doctor and scheduled my first mammogram and biopsy. It was Stage 2B cancer. I had a
lumpectomy, 4 1/2 months of chemotherapy, and 2 months of radiation. By October of 2005, I had completed my treatments. I am extremely grateful that my mother told me when I was in my twenties to perform a self exam every month.

Early detection is what saved my life. "

Photograph by Eric Stanfield.