Thursday, January 12, 2012

In Honor of my Mom

This is my mom, Nellie Diane Greenman. She was diagnosed in 2005 with non-smoking lung cancer and was given 4-6 months to live. In 2010, just one week before she passed away, this picture was taken by my sister Michelle. You wouldn't have even guessed that she was having to stop to breathe through her oxygen mask between every shot.
This picture became my family's favorite picture of her and its the picture that can now be found hanging in every one of our houses. Its the picture that my sweet nephew grabs when he wants to talk to Grandma Nellie. Its been two years ago today that she passed away and with this time of year comes a lot of reflection on the circumstances in which she died and the days, weeks, even months leading up to it. In my family runs a genetic mutation called Li Fraumeni that basically stops our cells from fighting off cancer. I'm lucky enough to be one of the few in my family that does not carry this gene, but in a family where cancer is so dominant you can often hear us saying the words, "Cancer Sucks."
So now that you know a little bit about my family history I want to explain an idea thats been bouncing around in my head. It started as a desire to do something good for those who, like me, think that Cancer Sucks and have come to know all the great sufferings that are involved with having cancer. It started with an idea of documenting the everyday lifestyle of a cancer patient, and soon grew to a lot of other ideas including a blog about cancer patients, starting a non-profit organization, and finally ended on this:

I want to give to those that are suffering with cancer through my photography.

What better way than to give those families the exact gift my sister gave to our family when she took that picture? Its proof of the strength that my mom had by just getting up and doing her make up that day. I want to give that to people that are suffering, and this is the best way that I know how.

So if you know anybody living on the Central Coast or near the Central Coast that is battling cancer, I want to take pictures of them, free of charge. Please give them my name and have them email me because I can only give this to those that are in need if I can find them first. I realize that this is nothing, nothing in comparison to what I wish I could give them, which is health, but its a start and its something I hope will lighten the burden of someone whose burden really needs to be lightened.

I want to offer free photoshoots for these special people in honor of my mom. Please help me find them.

4 comments:

Cyndi said...

You are such a sweet, generous, and thoughtful daughter.
To share the talent God gave you and to put it to such great use will be such a great blessing to all those you touch with that gift!
I know your mom is your angel and is so very proud of you!

Unknown said...

Thank you for this generous offer. It will be such a blessing to those families who are left behind. Cindy McCauley took the last portrait of my sweetheart. It too has an honored place in the homes of all our children. You are an angel for offering to comfort grieving families.

JImandDiane said...

This is a good thing you are doing Kaitlin. Mom would be pleased and proud of you.
Dad

Anonymous said...

I think is really special. Thanks for sharing and I know many will benefit from what you are doing.
Love
Shelley Gardner