tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85155832152885754212024-03-05T05:47:47.468-08:00The SCAR Project [Cincinnati]The SCAR Project [Cincinnati]http://www.blogger.com/profile/13441435200286958535noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515583215288575421.post-30255367412346611592011-12-01T09:00:00.001-08:002011-12-01T23:53:10.460-08:00Wrapping Up The SCAR Project Cincy ExhibitPosted by Joules Evans<br />
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We've officially gone from Pink Ribbons to orange leaves to the first snowy white powder sugar dusting on the ground and the last leaf on the 2011 Calendar. What a year it's been for The SCAR Project! <a href="http://www.amazon.com/SCAR-Project-Breast-Cancer-Ribbon/dp/B004YUKKC0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1322764925&sr=8-2" target="_blank">The SCAR Project Book</a>, The SCAR Project documentary, <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Baring-All-SCAR-Project-documentary/dp/B0058OQ4AI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1322764925&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Baring It All</a></i>, airing on Style Network here and around the globe (including recently being featured in the fabulous <a href="http://www.breastfestfilmfest.com/" target="_blank">Toronto Breast Film Fest</a> put on by <a href="http://rethinkbreastcancer.com/" target="_blank">Rethink Breast Cancer</a>), beautiful coverage in both <a href="http://www.life.com/gallery/61571/scar-project-breast-cancer-exposed#index/0" target="_blank">Life Magazine</a> and <a href="http://yourlife.usatoday.com/health/medical/breastcancer/story/2011-09-30/SCAR-Project-shows-raw-reality-of-breast-cancer/50616200/1" target="_blank">USA Today</a> online, not to mention this awesome interview of quite a few of the SCAR girls from our very own <a href="http://www.wcpo.com/dpp/news/health/pink_9/powerful-exhibit-gives-breast-cancer-survivors-a-way-to-express-themselves" target="_blank">Channel 9</a>, and two successful exhibits (one of them being this beautiful Queen City of ours, and the other the Big freaking Apple) and quite a few cities/countries in the wings. Quite a whirlwind of awareness to be smack dab in the middle of.<br />
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I'm so proud and happy and humbled that Cincinnati was the first city outside of New York City to host the exhibit. The reception Cincy gave The SCAR Project and all the SCAR Project girls who travelled here from across the country made us look like the coolest city on the map. Everyone mentioned what an amazing community we have here, to get behind a project like The SCAR Project the way we did. The way we did—seriously, I think we set the bar high folks—so thank you.<br />
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Speaking of thank you's...<br />
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<li>Vanessa, I'm so glad I met you at the first SCAR Project Exhibit in New York City. Working with you to bring the exhibit to Cincinnati is one of the most beautiful, meaningful things I've ever done. Thank you for your friendship, your example to "Live Sincerely", and yours (and Blustery Days) graphic design wizardry and generosity. </li>
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<li>Litsa Spanos and Art Design Consultants, thank you SO MUCH for donating your beautiful "gallery in the sky" to host the exhibit, not to mention all the time, passion and resources you so generously and graciously poured into being the presenting sponsor for the exhibit and in working so closely with me and Vanessa on the planning committee. There would have been no Cincy exhibit without a venue, but we simply got the best when lucked into meeting you. On top of a fabulous friendship. Wow. </li>
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<li>Pam Irvin, thank you for your passion and tireless devotion networking and helping us make connections.</li>
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<li>Banita Bailey, how would we have pulled this beautiful thing off without you? Let's not even think about that. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.... </li>
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<li>Oncology Hematology Care, thank you so much for your more than generous sponsorship, encouragement, and support (not to mention care, as quite a few of us on and around the committee are also your patients). We simply could not have financed bringing the exhibit without you. And we couldn't have found a more benevolent partner to work with. </li>
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<li>Anne Lisbin's Elegant Fare (and your amazing generous, kind-hearted staff), thank you so much for donation of the catering for the gala and the friends and family cocktail party. The food was so delicious it's ridiculous. </li>
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<li>Cheers to Cork 'N Bottle and Party Source for providing the wine that was paired so <i>elegantly</i> with the <i>fare</i> for the gala and friends and family cocktail party, respectively.</li>
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<li>Plastic Surgery Group, thank you for your financial and promotional support. How cool was it to see The SCAR Project up on the US Bank Arena?! </li>
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<li>The Eisen Agency, thank you Rodger and Tara for the generous donation of your time and PR skillz. I guess getting coverage in practically all the local print media, on all the local TV news stations (three times on channel 9, twice on Fox 19, once on channels 5 and 12), on two local talk-radio programs, and a beautiful Cincinnati Enquirer article (kudos Lauren Bishop) that got picked up by USA Today online was pretty much knocking it out of the ballpark. </li>
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<li>To the 20 SCAR Project Girls who were able to come to Cincy for the exhibit, thank you. You made it even more beautiful and meaningful by your presence. I heart you all. </li>
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<li>Residence Inn, thank you for your generous discount and wonderful service in helping us provide The SCAR Project staff and Girls with rooms with a view and a hub to hang out together. </li>
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<li> And thank you to all the volunteers who made everything run so smoothly from unpacking crates with white gloves on, to running the elevator, to lighting luminaries, to tying "Live Sincerely" notes on cocktail glasses, taking tickets, to selling SCAR Project books and DVDs, to passing out exhibit programs, to pouring wine, to keeping the SCAR Project documentary DVD playing throughout the exhibit, to manning the guest book, to helping hang the portraits, to cleaning the gallery each night, to packing everything up when the exhibit was over, to photographing the events, to putting the gallery back together afterward, to blogging about the exhibit, to... and that's not the half of it. So. Much. Work.</li>
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But so worth it.<br />
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In the end, here's what we did. We brought an amazing art exhibit to our city—one that looked beneath the pink ribbons and exposed the absolute reality of surviving cancer. We did because we were in sync with The SCAR Project's mission: to raise awareness that young women do get breast cancer, to raise funds for a local organization that serves young survivors (in our case, The Pink Ribbon Girls), and to help other survivors see their scars, faces, figures and experiences through a new, honest and ultimately empowering lens.<br />
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Besides the success our committee and PR team had in getting the word out about The SCAR Project Cincy Exhibit, we estimate 700+ people came to the exhibit. If one young woman went home and <a href="http://youtu.be/VsyE2rCW71o" target="_blank">checked herself</a> after coming to our exhibit, it was worth it. If one young couple went home and <a href="http://youtu.be/9p8pIHy2GRI" target="_blank">checked second base</a> after coming to our exhibit, it was worth it. If one woman over 40 or high risk for breast cancer went home and <a href="http://youtu.be/yPXmEPBS75A" target="_blank">scheduled a mammogram</a> after coming to our exhibit, it was worth it. Maybe one of the doctors or researchers or students who came to the exhibit will be the one to find a cure for breast cancer. Like one breast surgeon said after viewing the exhibit, "I hope to be put out of business because we find a cure."<br />
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After settling our expenses and closing The SCAR Project Cincinnati Exhibit books, we were so happy to be able to make a donation to David Jay's The SCAR Project to help it continue its mission. David Jay makes an enormous personal and financial investment in The SCAR Project.<br />
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Three of us from our Cincinnati committee (myself, Litsa, and Pam) and our PR girl Tara, were all able to travel to the opening of the NYC exhibit a few weeks after our Cincy exhibit to present David Jay with a check for $7,500. The fun part was that he did not see it coming.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmoUR7TgPEo-Ks8u464SUxDLPnl2i9MLJrvCNmUL8i-CbxEaUEgIaFpj8zB4ViJXT3m3x7d1m-yGxPhLFqUMLiSKFWLhX_DSi48yEL1OajcPAo6teHNhnnRfKt_Im8_fWgfJUOqx2NcbYL/s1600/315037_2620893526830_1389944127_33005231_2090989597_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmoUR7TgPEo-Ks8u464SUxDLPnl2i9MLJrvCNmUL8i-CbxEaUEgIaFpj8zB4ViJXT3m3x7d1m-yGxPhLFqUMLiSKFWLhX_DSi48yEL1OajcPAo6teHNhnnRfKt_Im8_fWgfJUOqx2NcbYL/s320/315037_2620893526830_1389944127_33005231_2090989597_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scar Project Manager Sandie Samuels, Joules Evans, SCAR Project Photographer David Jay</td></tr>
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Since we were the first city to host the exhibit we all had to figure out how this was done, making it up as we went. And David Jay was so gracious with us when, coming into exhibit week, we weren't sure if we were actually going to raise any money beyond expenses. He was just worried about us, covering our expenses, and in the end I think he really expected nothing from us. It was such a privilege and an honor to make a small investment to The SCAR Project. He continues to take portraits, even took one in Cincinnati on the Saturday morning of our exhibit. The newest SCAR girl's photo was hanging at the NYC exhibit. We hope to see the exhibit travel to many more places and accomplish its mission. As such I have decided to make myself available as a consultant for The SCAR Project and am excited to have the chance to help others bring The SCAR Project to their cities.<br />
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We were also super pumped to be able to write a big fat check for $13,500 to The Pink Ribbon Girls!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiTaet4FhB0N2Bef7t21IA5GllmePsBIBuSlutCyxjsCN88BJLDgiukXbqzDIA8Gh7zY5gvXccxVkMirPQ1uH4Ijj2WY1mHSkWCOliDDpAHG4Y3EXR5CfiWWx5mTs933_aUPML-JxBTxcc/s1600/381085_2661366572248_1198448002_3314065_1618588171_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiTaet4FhB0N2Bef7t21IA5GllmePsBIBuSlutCyxjsCN88BJLDgiukXbqzDIA8Gh7zY5gvXccxVkMirPQ1uH4Ijj2WY1mHSkWCOliDDpAHG4Y3EXR5CfiWWx5mTs933_aUPML-JxBTxcc/s320/381085_2661366572248_1198448002_3314065_1618588171_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />We presented the check to The Pink Ribbon Girls at a fabulous Art meets Fashion meets cocktail party event held at Art Design Consultants on November 4th. Here's a picture of our SCAR Project Cincy Committee with The Pink Ribbon Girls. Both photos are courtesy of Kate Messer Photography, and are used with permission. (Thank you, Kate:)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHE-4ajZFCL497obP7E0Zsx5jVfPg8NqyTiv9kjki80Q6tIt9gZacQBw54JQU1eRjkqcy_4duAvrmEJUgtklDKuOzxKxqqa3iSRkkgKPQkEZpIm6mXMZhVRv2dYFztUExXrCwOLeo-ChEU/s1600/389655_2661371732377_1198448002_3314079_138707090_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHE-4ajZFCL497obP7E0Zsx5jVfPg8NqyTiv9kjki80Q6tIt9gZacQBw54JQU1eRjkqcy_4duAvrmEJUgtklDKuOzxKxqqa3iSRkkgKPQkEZpIm6mXMZhVRv2dYFztUExXrCwOLeo-ChEU/s320/389655_2661371732377_1198448002_3314079_138707090_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pam Irvin, PRG Banita Bailey, PRG founder Tracie Metzger, Joules Evans, Litsa Spanos, and Vanessa Tiemeier</td></tr>
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As for the third part of the mission, to help survivors see their scars, faces, figures and experiences through a new, honest and ultimately empowering lens, not to mention, a pretty darn good recap of The SCAR Project Cincy Exhibit, please click <a href="http://thornhillphotography.wordpress.com/2011/10/03/the-scar-project-cancer-is-not-a-pink-ribbon/" target="_blank">here</a> to check out a cool photo blog put together by one of our volunteer photographers, Donna Carr. (Thank you, Donna:)</div>
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And that, my friends, is a wrap. This SCAR Project Cincy blog is going to take a nap. When it wakes up, parts of it will become part of The SCAR Project website blog [which is in the works].</div>
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I usually sign off with Cheers and love, Joules. So there. I'm lifting a glass to all you lovely peeps, and to your health. But in this case I'd like to let Vanessa have the last words, since she summed up so perfectly everything our committee became all about, having experienced the honor and pleasure of working so closely with her on The SCAR Project Cincy Exhibit...</div>
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LIVE SINCERELY</div>
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<br /></div>The SCAR Project [Cincinnati]http://www.blogger.com/profile/13441435200286958535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515583215288575421.post-66828547145845705952011-09-28T22:19:00.000-07:002011-09-28T22:25:59.896-07:00An Art Dealer Takes Another Look at The SCAR Project<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">[Today's guest post is from Litsa Spanos of Art Design Consultants. Litsa is the gracious hostess of The SCAR Project Cincinnati Exhibit and also a SCAR Project Cincy Planning Committee Member. This article is cross-posted on her blog at <a href="http://www.adcfineart.com/" style="color: #bb2188; text-decoration: none;">www.adcfineart.com</a>.]</span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06020; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt;">A DIFFERENT KIND OF BEAUTY: PART II</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">Guest Post by Litsa Spanos</span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">Part I was about The SCAR Project exhibit and the powerful message it encompasses. Part II </span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">is dedicated to the women </span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: 'Arial,Italic';">in </span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">the portraits—their journey and the story behind their scars. I have had the
amazing privilege to meet and get to know some of these incredible women. They are strong, beautiful and
brave. But above all, these women are hopeful. Their immense passion for this cause and their willingness to
openly bare their scars is truly inspiring. These young women and their portraits are a constant reminder to live
every day sincerely.
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">The three women you’re about to meet are local breast cancer survivors whose portraits were taken for The
SCAR Project...
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<span style="color: #993366; font-family: Arial;">*See Channel </span><span style="color: #993366; font-family: Arial;">5 & Channel 9′s SCAR Project interviews </span><span style="color: #993366; font-family: Arial;">at the bottom of this post
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<span style="color: #993366; font-family: 'Arial,Bold'; font-size: 14pt;">VANESSA | 25
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">“Breast cancer is a part of my life but it does not define me. It will never be ALL that I am or ALL that I do. I
don’t want to be part of the mold that breast cancer survivors have been confined to. It’s not always pink
</span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">ribbons and charity runs. Breast cancer is often glamorized and commercialized.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">In reality, there’s a duality of life and a human element that everyone can relate to. Yes, I have breast cancer,
and yes, it is hard, and yes, it’s an ongoing challenge, BUT everyone has his own struggles. Some </span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">are hidden
and not as public, but they are still very real. The secret hardships AND the public battles we all face are valid
and important.
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">I was diagnosed at age 25 with stage 3A breast cancer. I underwent 20 weeks of dose dense chemotherapy,
had a right modified radical mastectomy with node dissection, completed 25 treatments of radiation, and still
have to have a left prophylactic mastectomy and bilateral tram-flap reconstructive surgery. I lost all my hair,
looked like ET, got my boob hacked off along with nine lymph nodes in my armpit, got zapped so much that my
skin burned and bled, and will need to cut open my stomach and relocate my fat and muscles to my chest. I
think sometimes I am so good at putting on a pretty face and acting all put-together that </span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">some people don’t
</span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">realize the extent of everything that breast cancer survivors go through.
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">My scars and my words are only half of the story. They don’t show the emotional and private struggles that are
continuously present. They don’t show the burden that my family has willingly endured. They don’t show the
lifestyle changes and imitations that come with breast cancer. But they don’t need to. I’ve never wanted to be
the center of attention, or be regarded as “special” or “brave”. I don’t need to be pitied </span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">or felt sorry for. Instead it
is my hope that people reconnect with themselves and reconsider what is truly important in their lives, and to
celebrate it.
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">Breast cancer has forced me to step out of the box and to challenge myself, whether I want to or not. In life
</span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">there’s a beautiful balance of happiness and sadness, awareness and unawareness, acceptance and rejection,
</span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">blessings and misfortunes. These dualities are the moments that define life.
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">The SCAR Project embraces these every day, personal happenings of life, and through these photographs,
</span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">beautifully portrays every woman’s unique situation. As part of The SCAR Project, I can “just be me”. No
</span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">covering up or masking the truth. No pretending that everything is fine. Here I am. This is me now. This is my
</span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">life.”
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<span style="color: #993366; font-family: 'Arial,Bold'; font-size: 14pt;">HEATHER | 31
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt;">Heather Salazar with her daughters | Dayton, OH</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">“Breast Cancer boldly came into our lives when I met a young woman, Alexis, who was battling stage IV breast
</span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">cancer.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">She was nearing the end of her battle and needed to find a home for her baby lest her daughter be placed in
permanent foster care. I prayed about this and told my husband Steve that I thought we should adopt her. His
first response was: What?? We already had three children, ages seven, four and one. Five weeks later we had
a new baby.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">Throughout the next year, we took Alexis to chemo, to doctor’s appointments, and to spend time with her baby.
</span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">Alexis died one year later at the young age of 23.
</span><br />
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">Two years later, I found a lump in my breast but never in a million years thought it could be breast cancer. The
biopsy came back positive and I was diagnosed at the age of 31.<br />
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">All I could think about was seeing Lexis’s mom die from this terrible disease. Would my children </span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">grow up
without a mother? Would Lexis lose two mothers to breast cancer? How could this be happening to our family?
</span><br />
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">How could both of my daughters have to worry about breast cancer?
</span><br />
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">In reality, I have met so many young mothers and their families who have to deal with breast cancer and so
many young children growing up without their mothers because of this disease. When I look at my one
</span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">daughter’s vibrant brown eyes and my other daughter’s pristine blue eyes, I realize we have to do whatever it
</span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">takes to find a cure so they never have to deal with breast cancer.
</span><br />
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">As I know firsthand, breast cancer is NOT prejudiced; it doesn’t care if you are black or white, rich or poor,
</span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">young or old, it can interrupt your life when you least expect it. We need to leave a </span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">legacy for our children’s
</span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">children by curing breast cancer, and I really believe we are getting closer through research and advocacy.
I want to be a part of the cure for breast cancer.
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">I believe in advocacy and I believe in the power of learning from each </span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">other’s stories. I think The SCAR Project
</span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">is amazing and I believe the photos tell an amazing story.
</span><br />
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">I also want to encourage other young women to stay on top of their own health and to realize there is life after
breast cancer. I cherish every moment, enjoy my family, love on my children, and try not to sweat the small
</span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">stuff. By pouring your hearts and energy into The SCAR Project you are making a difference.”
</span><br />
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<span style="color: #993366; font-family: 'Arial,Bold'; font-size: 14pt;">DIANA | 32
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt;">Diana Featherstone | Dayton, OH</span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">“Just one month prior to my diagnosis, we had moved to a new state...away from all our friends and family. We
</span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">were just getting settled in our new neighborhood and now all of a sudden I became Cancer Girl. My husband
lost his wife, my kids lost their mother and I </span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">lost myself during treatment. I’m finding my way back and
</span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">reinventing myself along the way to fit with my new reality.</span><br />
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">Breast cancer is a bully that isn’t choosy about whom it picks on. My family history is riddled with all kinds of
</span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">cancer, but many women with breast cancer have no family history of disease.
</span><br />
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">Cancer is frightening disease that we still don’t fully understand. </span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">This lack of knowledge scares people into
</span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">sending emails about the evils of artificial sweeteners, deodorant, air, water...you name it. As if it couldn’t be
just random. That it couldn’t just happen out of the blue. Tell that to children fighting cancer who haven’t had
</span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">nearly as much time to do damage to themselves as we have.
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">I don’t want to miss my kids growing up. I thought about that a lot while going through treatment. After going
</span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">through the sleepless nights and toddlerhood, I will feel really cheated </span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">if I can’t see this through. I want to see
</span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">what kind of people they become. Sometimes I look at them and I almost lost it because I miss them already. I
</span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">want to survive this and I know they won’t understand if I don’t. They keep me fighting and I won’t go </span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">down
easy.
</span><br />
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">Even though my hair is growing back and I’ve had reconstructive surgery, I will forever wear the physical and
psychological scars of cancer. People want the best for you and they want to think that once you’re done with
treatment, you’re done with the disease. Well, that’s just not true. I won’t ever be completely free of the fear of
recurrence, but I’m hoping to distance myself as time goes by.
</span><br />
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">The SCAR Project gave me an opportunity to show the truth beneath it all. I’m hoping that medical technology
can catch up so that if there is a “next time,” we’ll actually have a real cure to work with. My Aunt Patty had over
</span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">ten years before her cancer came back. Just think of all of the advancements we can make in medicine in that
</span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">time frame!”
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<span style="color: #993366; font-family: 'Arial,Bold'; font-size: 14pt;">STILL, THERE IS BEAUTY
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<span style="color: #993366; font-family: 'Arial,Bold'; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">Over twenty of these amazing women from all over—women who have survived breast cancer and were
photographed for the project—will be here in Cincinnati for the exhibition. Please join us to meet them in
person, be inspired and help make a difference.<br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="color: #555555;"><i>Still, through all of this there is Beauty.</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #555555; font-family: 'Arial,Italic';"><i>Soul.</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #555555; font-family: 'Arial,Italic';"><i>Courage.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: 'Arial,Italic';"><i>These are the things which cannot be taken away.</i></span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: 'Arial,Italic';"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">-DAVID JAY</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993366; font-family: 'Arial,Bold'; font-size: 14pt;">IN THE PRESS: <a href="http://youtu.be/iLE1FPCKFjs">CHANNEL 5 NEWS </a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #993366; font-family: 'Arial,Bold'; font-size: 14pt;">IN THE PRESS: <a href="http://youtu.be/r8cucDMrABU">CHANNEL 9 NEWS </a></span></div>
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The SCAR Project [Cincinnati]http://www.blogger.com/profile/13441435200286958535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515583215288575421.post-86156056974661801892011-09-25T20:13:00.000-07:002011-09-25T20:24:29.566-07:00The SCAR Project As Seen Through An Art Dealer's Eyes<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">[Today's guest post is from Litsa Spanos of Art Design Consultants. Litsa is the gracious hostess of The SCAR Project Cincinnati Exhibit and also a SCAR Project Cincy Planning Committee Member. This article is cross-posted on her blog at <a href="http://www.adcfineart.com/">www.adcfineart.com</a>.]</span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06020; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt;">A DIFFERENT KIND OF BEAUTY: PART I</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06020; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">Guest Post by Litsa Spanos</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">As you all know my blog is all about beautiful art and beautiful spaces. This week I‟ll be talking about and showing you a
</span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">different kind of beauty.</span><br />
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">I am honored to be part of an incredible, impactful and meaningful photo exhibit coming to Cincinnati called <a href="http://www.thescarproject.org/">The SCAR Project</a>. On September 29 through October 2, ADC will open its gallery doors to everyone in our city, providing them with the
opportunity to experience something truly special and memorable. Yes, </span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">it‟s shocking </span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">at first but I promise you will never
forget these powerful images.</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Arial;">WATCH CHANNEL 19 INTERVIEW </span><span style="color: purple; font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.fox19.com/global/video/flash/popupplayer.asp?ClipID1=6266158&h1=Golden%20Moment%3A%20The%20Scar%20Project&vt1=v&at1=News&d1=243666&LaunchPageAdTag=Search%20Results&activePane=info&rnd=86724546">HERE</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">*photographs at the beginning of this video are unrelated to The SCAR Project</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Arial;">THE STORY BEHIND THE SCAR
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">The SCAR Project is an international, Pulitzer nominated exhibit of a series of portraits of young breast cancer survivors
shot by fashion photographer David Jay. The SCAR Project girls range from age 17 to 35 (an often over looked group of
young woman with breast cancer).
</span></div>
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">Local breast cancer survivor Vanessa Tiemeier and her husband Billy took a Greyhound bus from Cincinnati to New York
City to be photographed.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9igj5s_HBUnpe3K6Jk7bswEdvZ3z0c9NWx6JtpVDPA2QSGCZvK1fVcrwxjrdNb-D3JoEt351X6nQNXbKABFMvz1pOujK2krN1dpYaOZXmm9EuBsEiBggwY3EWMdJ6kVEQCM4Pfopws0Cn/s1600/67571_460591648328_760243328_4995142_369991_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9igj5s_HBUnpe3K6Jk7bswEdvZ3z0c9NWx6JtpVDPA2QSGCZvK1fVcrwxjrdNb-D3JoEt351X6nQNXbKABFMvz1pOujK2krN1dpYaOZXmm9EuBsEiBggwY3EWMdJ6kVEQCM4Pfopws0Cn/s320/67571_460591648328_760243328_4995142_369991_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">Vanessa and Billy Tiemeier in NYC during the opening</span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">At the New York City exhibition premiere, Vanessa met breast cancer survivor Joules Evans who, in the letter below,
describes their—what seemed destined to be— introduction:
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<blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: AGaramondPro;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: AGaramondPro;">"I met Vanessa Tiemeier at the International Premiere of The SCAR Project in New York City last October. She was standing by her portrait, talking about her experience when I heard her say she was from Cincinnati.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: AGaramondPro;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: AGaramondPro;">I wasn’t expecting to meet another Cincinnati survivor in the Big Apple anymore than I was expecting to be so moved by the exhibit. I was already pretty breast cancer aware, having been diagnosed on August 20th 2008. My chemo sister Shelly told me about The SCAR Project over chemo one day. She had actually contacted David Jay and asked to have her portrait taken, but we are both ever so slightly over age demographic of SCAR Project participants. But anyway, honestly I went for the road trip with her, since all our time together up to that point had been spent in the chemo lounge.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: AGaramondPro;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: AGaramondPro;">But seeing these brave and beautiful YOUNG women, like Vanessa standing beside their portraits baring scars like mine caught me off guard. Something about the way they looked back at me from their portraits. This is what surviving breast cancer looks like. This is what is underneath the pink ribbons. It’s hard to look at but this is what breast cancer does to a woman.</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: AGaramondPro;">But these pictures are about much more than what breast cancer does to a woman. They are about what it doesn't do. There is still feminine beauty and grace after breast cancer. These young women are postcards from HOPE. And my hope is that the baring of their scars will become traction for a cure.</span></blockquote>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: AGaramondPro;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: AGaramondPro;">This is why I think this is an important exhibit and moment for our city." -Joules Evans</span></blockquote>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">These <i>amazing</i> </span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">women—inspired and motivated—knew they needed to get this influential exhibit to their hometown. After receiving a whole-hearted "yes" </span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">from the artist to bringing his exhibit to Cincinnati, they began spreading the word and </span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">developed The SCAR Project Committee to organize and market the event.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">The SCAR Project Committee: Joules Evans (committee head), Me, Vanessa Tiemeier (subject/model), David Jay (photographer), Pam Irvin, Shelly Emrick (not shown)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit4_evgIKmqH3MMS4VNaMJ0BLIbMbqbyfdGIF-MP0wCz36Ulj9FW2jy-mqm35dqCAr0vhBIYlJc0jQvrLKkOzg8fOVU09yGOVcfkkxS7muVsI83iogrxqTemIKQ95200vy3vcc9U0af3L3/s1600/documentary+screening+party.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit4_evgIKmqH3MMS4VNaMJ0BLIbMbqbyfdGIF-MP0wCz36Ulj9FW2jy-mqm35dqCAr0vhBIYlJc0jQvrLKkOzg8fOVU09yGOVcfkkxS7muVsI83iogrxqTemIKQ95200vy3vcc9U0af3L3/s320/documentary+screening+party.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">Style Network‟s “Baring It All” Documentary Viewing Party at ADC Andrea Bashore, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">Heather Printz Salazar, Vanessa Tiemeier, Kelly Reichert, David Jay, Tracie Weidner Metzger, Banita Bailey, Joules Evans, Diana Walker Featherstone</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Arial;">THE MAN BEHIND THE LENS
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">"The SCAR Project is not 'idealized.' There is something painfully beautiful in humanity. A </span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">beauty that transcends glossy,
mass-produced </span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">images."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">Fashion photographer, David Jay, began The SCAR Project after a young and close friend of his was diagnosed with breast
cancer. The SCAR Project campaign is mainly to raise awareness about the nearly 10,000 women under the age of 40 who
</span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year alone. Although the campaign's main mission is awareness, it is also about "hope, reflection, and healing" for young women affected by this disease.</span><br />
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">"For these young women, </span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">having their portrait taken seems to represent their personal victory over this terrifying disease. It
helps them reclaim their femininity, their sexuality, identity and power after having been robbed of such an important part of
it. Through these simple pictures, they seem to gain some acceptance of what has happened to them and the strength to
</span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial;">move forward with pride."</span></div>
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The SCAR Project [Cincinnati]http://www.blogger.com/profile/13441435200286958535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515583215288575421.post-27702520732788817372011-09-18T15:46:00.000-07:002011-09-19T06:10:43.367-07:00The SCAR Project as seen through a doctor's eyes<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">[It is my great pleasure to introduce this guest post by Oncology Hematology Care physician Douglas Flora, MD. Not only has OHC been one of our most generous supporters for the SCAR Project Cincinnati Exhibit, but they also happen to be some of the most amazing caregivers, not to mention lifesavers. My co-committee members Vanessa, Shelly, and I are all patients of OHC, as are quite a few of the Pink Ribbon Girls (our beneficiary for the Cincinnati exhibit) that we've been working with to bring The SCAR Project to Cincinnati. I cannot even begin to tell you how much it means to all of us to have OHC on our team. Thank you, OHC. And thank you, Dr. Flora for letting us see The SCAR Project through a doctor's eyes.]</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Why
We Should Look at the Face of Cancer<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Guest Post By
Douglas Flora, MD <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Oncology
Hematology Care<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Exhibits like the SCAR project make us
look at the face of cancer head on. The groundbreaking images are of
accomplished, intelligent women who have taken bad news in stride, moved
forward and remained accomplished, intelligent women. These beautiful pictures
capture women demonstrating emotions in their barest sense: they are
brave images that remind us all of how cancer affects our wives, daughters,
mothers in all shapes and sizes, and sends a powerful message about the
importance of advocacy, research and early detection. One of the privileges of
being a Medical Oncologist is that we KNOW these women: valiant, defiant,
brave. These images stir emotions, stimulate debate and discussion, and bring
attention to a vital population of our sisters, wives, mothers: all fighting,
surviving, flourishing in our midst. They make you want to read more, research
more, screen more, care more. I lost my mother to this disease, and I support
ANY project like this that stirs hearts and encourages public attention to this
important disease. Women who see these images can experience a more visceral
understanding of what their sisters, neighbors, friends are going through. Pink
Ribbons don’t tell the whole story and hopefully the Cincinnati community will
support and embrace this project, giving cancer survivors the respect they
deserve. These images remind us all to pay attention to the importance of early
screening and detection of cancers, especially breast. They invoke emotions
that are important: hope, fear, sadness and joy, which are all part of the
human condition. These brave women are photographed in their barest state, with
grace and dignity and hopefully inspire those like myself who work in this
field to continue to fight this important battle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit5fiSKjuEpJazX-EeTG5paHD3BC-AF-O3uf67HMVSjPTTk6D6aEL107ycm73xlmAbJZTH2krpTTFJOioviTjHp0V-puX341ckc30JUt2gFais2Gg-xIp-lZBoDWH6DwSCWwYroTy4fzLX/s1600/OHC+logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit5fiSKjuEpJazX-EeTG5paHD3BC-AF-O3uf67HMVSjPTTk6D6aEL107ycm73xlmAbJZTH2krpTTFJOioviTjHp0V-puX341ckc30JUt2gFais2Gg-xIp-lZBoDWH6DwSCWwYroTy4fzLX/s1600/OHC+logo.png" /></a></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">About
Oncology Hematology Care </span></b><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">As Greater Cincinnati’s top quality,
comprehensive resource for <a href="http://www.ohcare.com/services/oncology/"><span style="color: black;">cancer
</span></a>and <a href="http://www.ohcare.com/services/hematology/"><span style="color: black;">blood disorders</span></a>, Oncology Hematology Care offers
patients a wide range of cancer <a href="http://www.ohcare.com/physicians/"><span style="color: black;">specialists</span></a>, the newest treatments and
technologies, and <a href="http://www.ohcare.com/services/clinical_trials/"><span style="color: black;">clinical trials</span></a> that bring leading-edge
therapies close to home. With more than 50 physicians and nurse practitioners,
our group cares for patients at more than <a href="http://www.ohcare.com/offices/"><span style="color: black;">20 locations</span></a>
in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
The SCAR Project [Cincinnati]http://www.blogger.com/profile/13441435200286958535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515583215288575421.post-57058083261670849962011-09-15T08:09:00.000-07:002011-09-15T08:09:18.420-07:00We'll Get By With a Little Help From Our Friends<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0a0b06; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;">The Cincinnati premiere of the pulitzer-nominated, international exhibition of <a href="http://www.thescarproject.org/exhibition/">THE SCAR Project</a> is just around the corner and we need your help! The volunteer web site is now live. Click <a href="http://www.signupgenius.com/go/volunteer1011">here</a> for the list.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;"></span><br />
<br />
The SCAR Project Cincinnati Exhibit planning committee began with 3 breast cancer survivors and an art gallery owner, who graciously donated her space as a place to host The SCAR Project. SCAR is an acronym for (Surviving Cancer. Absolute Reality.) The SCAR Project is a photographic exhibit of young women baring their scars from breast cancer.<br />
<br />
We feel these pictures need to be seen. Primarily an awareness raising campaign, The SCAR Project puts a raw, unflinching face on early onset breast cancer while paying tribute to the courage and spirit of so many brave young women.<br />
<br />
Like Cincinnati SCAR Project participant (and also a member of this planning committee) Vanessa Teimeier. Vanessa was 25 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFTxzifS6bAzHRPPGURXS4oshjKSBk3PyDWtQp0apsNZOADX_b4ZcqZ22L5qz_cmXgufc1DUIPv5Or10jYmEOeFKJ2w7WOZQnJbr80a0_gut8RuA5rsHm4rVExRjNqh4NQjGyImL514DAO/s1600/203522_119442091468428_4005977_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFTxzifS6bAzHRPPGURXS4oshjKSBk3PyDWtQp0apsNZOADX_b4ZcqZ22L5qz_cmXgufc1DUIPv5Or10jYmEOeFKJ2w7WOZQnJbr80a0_gut8RuA5rsHm4rVExRjNqh4NQjGyImL514DAO/s1600/203522_119442091468428_4005977_n.jpg" /></a></div>
She and over 100 other young women like her, ranging from the ages of 17 to 35 have traveled across the country and from around the world to be part The SCAR Project.<br />
<br />
The SCAR Project is dedicated to the more than 10,000 women under the age of 40 who will be diagnosed this year alone.<br />
<br />
Besides raising awareness, The SCAR Project Cincinnati Exhibit will raise funds for the <a href="http://www.pinkribbongirls.org/">Pink Ribbon Girls</a>, co-founded by Cincinnati survivor Tracie Metzger to serve the needs of young breast cancer survivors.<br />
The SCAR Project photographer, David Jay, along with many of The SCAR Project participants will be on hand for the exhibit. They will stand beside their portraits as pictures of beauty, courage, hope, and grace in the face of their absolute reality of surviving cancer. We hope this exhibit helps other survivors, young and old, to see their own scars, faces, figures, and experiences through a new, honest, and ultimately empowering lens.<br />
<br />
These are big goals. This is a big undertaking, and we need your help. This is a passion project for us, and if you find you share our passion, we hope you will help us fill the many <a href="http://www.signupgenius.com/go/volunteer1011">volunteer roles</a> needed to pull off this amazing, beautiful, compelling, heartbreaking, hopeful, impactful, meaningful, powerful exhibit for our city.<br />
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The SCAR Project [Cincinnati]http://www.blogger.com/profile/13441435200286958535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515583215288575421.post-44349420885833553082011-09-13T07:46:00.000-07:002011-09-13T07:52:06.526-07:00Sincerely, Vanessa<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">Posted by Joules Evans</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">[This is a hard update to post. I will let Vanessa share in her own words. Please join with me and the rest of the SCAR Project Cincinnati Planning Committee in praying for Vanessa as she begins another round of kicking cancer's ass today.]</span><br />
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<br />
<blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><b>An update from Cincinnati SCAR Project participant/Cincinnati SCAR Project Planning Committee member Vanessa Tiemeier: </b></span></blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">This is always difficult for me to share, because I don’t want to spring things on people, but…I had a head MRI last week b/c I was having severe headaches. Turns out there was a cluster of cancer cells that showed up on the scan. My doc explained that they are present in the protective lining of my brain, called the meninges. There are enough cells in the same place that have created a mass of sorts, large enough to make my skull bulge and push my brain out of the way. The doc also made sure to remind me that the caner isn’t actually in my brain, just pressing on it, which is good news I guess. So to date, my breast cancer has spread to my bones, my lungs, my lymph nodes, and now the lining of my brain. I resume active treatment and continue being thankful for TODAY. </span> </blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">I have to say that my recent news didn’t surprise me, but it of course is never easy to hear. It seems like so much has happened recently, in my life but also the world around me, that I have come to realize how precious life is and how lucky we are to share it with the ones who mean something to us. There are so many people living lives with diseases or challenges that they did not choose, that they have no control over, but are trying to just make the best of it. I feel like this aligns with the mission and objective of The SCAR Project. One thing that David Jay, The SCAR Project photographer, set out to do was pay tribute to the courage and spirit of so many brave young women. And the exhibition proves that so many women, young women, live with breast cancer everyday and that their struggle never goes away. But I think it also honors those with other challenges. Everyone has a story to tell. Everyone has struggles. I for sure have had mine to share, but I know there are many others like me. And many of you with your own challenges.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"> </span> </blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">I’ve said it before, but I really mean it…live with passion. Live with intention. Live healthy. Live with no regrets. Live Sincerely. So in the spirit of Living Sincerely, I would most appreciate for you all to look inward and maybe take some time improving your own situation, so you can be present in your own life.☺ Life’s not easy, but I am challenging everyone out there to live, really live. If for no one else, do it for me.</span></blockquote>
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The SCAR Project [Cincinnati]http://www.blogger.com/profile/13441435200286958535noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515583215288575421.post-54880973946380980002011-09-02T19:08:00.000-07:002011-09-02T19:08:59.408-07:00Cancer Fighting Princess<br />
Posted by Joules Evans<br />
<br />
[In my continuing series of guest blogs by SCAR Project participants, I’d like to introduce newlywed Mrs. Bud Adams aka Melissa the pink cowboy boot wearing Cancer Fighting Princess.]<br />
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Guest Blog by Melissa Adams<br />
<br />
I was diagnosed with genetic Stage IIA cancer on March 15, 2007 at the age of 31. I had invasive ductal carcinoma and ductal carcinoma in situ.<br />
<br />
I found my lump on February 20th. Called my doc and was told to wait a week. Called back because it was still there and went in for an exam. The doc seemed to think that it was nothing and assured me it was not cancer (even after I shared that my great grandmother and uncle both had cancer—he said they were too distant!) But sent me for a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound just to be safe. Those procedures were followed by an ultrasound guided needle biopsy, which by the way was the worst pain I have ever experienced in my entire life, still to this day. It took about 2.5 hours and I felt all 7 times they went in, despite being given a local anesthetic, twice. I bled for 6 hours after that procedure.<br />
<br />
I got “the phone call” at work at about 8:30 on March 15th. The doctor who called me was one I didn't know and hadn't ever worked with—I work in a place where doctors frequently call my office so it never occurred to me who she might have been. She identified herself and the only thing I heard was "I don't know how to tell you this over the phone." I never heard her say breast cancer or you have or those two phrases together. I started screaming and crying even though I had spent the last 3 weeks researching, preparing myself, and convincing myself I would not be devastated. I was devastated anyway. My world turned completely upside down.<br />
<br />
I don't remember much of the day or the weeks ahead to be honest. I had an all day run at the hospital on March 21st where I met with surgeon, geneticist, and had a bunch of tests done. I was tested for the BRCA1/2 mutation—found out that there is a lot of cancer on the biological paternal side of my family. In fact, I am BRCA2 positive and as if having cancer alone wasn't devastating enough, I got that punch in the face because it came from a biological "father" who has never had anything to do with me my entire life. I was able to joke about it though and told everyone that it confirmed that I'm a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.<br />
<br />
My surgeon recommended complete removal of the right breast because it could not be preserved with all of the cancer in there. She recommended removal of the left given the mutation. I had my bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction on May 3rd (my step dad's birthday). I opted for implants though I had been so against it from the beginning. During the surgery, the doc discovered that my margins were not clean and had to remove additional tissue down toward my upper abs and pectoral muscle but the margins were still not clean.<br />
<br />
Though I was initially told I would not have to do radiation, it turned out that when they discovered the unclean margins, the radiation oncologist recommended I do it (by the way, it is not common practice to do reconstruction prior to radiation). So I was "pumped up" on the fast track plan...from about June until July and then on July 16th (day before my birthday) I had my expanders swapped out for the implants. I underwent 30 rounds of radiation therapy, which caused significant damage to my right implant. I suffered from capsular contracture, which is hardening of the implant, and I was lopsided! I had to wait to be out of radiation for 6 months before I could have my next surgery to fix the damage.<br />
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On May 8th, a year and 5 days from the one-year anniversary of my first surgery, I had surgery to remove the latissmus muscle from the right side of my back to bring it around and recreate my right breast. I had to have expanders put in again and went through the "pumping up" process all over again. In August 2008, I got my new and improved foreigners (that is what I call them).<br />
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Since I'm a BRCA2 carrier, I go every 6 months for ovarian cancer screenings.<br />
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This year of all years has been the most challenging for me. In January, they found something that appeared semi-solid on one of my ovaries. My CA125 levels had been in the normal range previous to this but had nearly doubled.<br />
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It was and always has been recommended that I have my ovaries removed but I'm not mentally or physically ready for that.<br />
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I went for a 2nd opinion where they scanned my entire body. The discovered an area of uptake on the CT Scan on the right side of my implant. They are not 100% sure of what it is so I had another CT done in June and will actually be going for another on September 24th. I just saw my gynecological oncologist again in August. She didn't find anything on my ovaries but my CA125 is still elevated so I have to get blood work done for that again. They discovered on the CT Scan that I have a dilated aorta and come to find out that I have a significant history of heart disease on my mom's side of the family. Now I see a cardiologist for that. So that is my story and where I am with my health.<br />
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I found out about the scar project through the online Susan G. Komen forum. I had emailed David Jay a few times about the project. I decided to participate because for me, from the get go, I knew this would never be about just getting through it. I whole-heartedly believe that I was meant to do something with this experience. My goals in life have always been to change a life, make a difference, and touch a heart. I never imagined I would have to get cancer in order to do that but that is just what happened. So I wanted to put myself out there as another young face of breast cancer.<br />
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I emailed David Jay so many times because I looked at his site and saw that all of the women had taken pictures with their shirts off and exposed their breasts. There were multiple reasons that I wasn’t willing to do that. One is that I work in public education and though this project is considered educational, I wasn’t willing to take the chance on losing my job over it. Even if I didn’t work in public education, I still wouldn’t have exposed my scarred breasts to the entire world. Up until very recently, no one other than my doctors had seen me without a shirt on. For the first 3 years or so after the reconstruction I could never look at myself. I would purposefully step away from the mirror when I was getting undressed. I think it was a lack of acceptance that this was my reality.<br />
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I can recall the day that I undid my dressings after my first reconstruction surgery. I was at home by myself recovering from the surgery. I decided to take a shower but before I did, I wanted to look. I undid the dressing and was completely devastated at what was before me in the mirror. I screamed and cried. I sobbed the entire time I was in the shower. I didn’t even know what to do with myself. I cried for hours and hours after that. One of my best friends had tried calling me that day and couldn’t get in touch with me. Finally, he decided to just come over and found me sitting on the back patio sobbing. It was probably the lowest point I had during my journey. All along all I ever wanted was to have “me” back. I have come a long way from that point but I still struggle with it, as many other women do.<br />
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This is what I wrote on my caringbridge site last year after going to the exhibit:<br />
<blockquote>
Before we even walked into the exhibit, I was overflowing with emotions. It is hard to explain what it felt like to look through the window and see my picture hanging on the back wall. There were a thousand emotions running through me...it was bitter sweet in so many ways. As we were doing the gallery walk, I was in tears. At one point, David Jay asked if anyone wanted to lead the gallery walk and Flora so kindly selected me. I, of course, went over to my photo. David Jay asked me to share a little bit about my story and so I did. I was crying the whole time. It was hard to look at my photo but at the same time, I couldn't stop. It was hard looking back into the crowd and seeing my friends with tear-filled eyes too. There were several other girls that took part in the project that shared their story as well. At some level, it brought a sense of closure for me to that part of my life. I wasn't sure I would have ever been able to look back at that photo and not see it as something that had complete control over my life but I was and I was filled with a sense of relief that finally I can move forward from that dark place.</blockquote>
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I am hoping that this project is an eye opener for everyone…particularly anyone that seems to think that mammograms should be conducted once a woman turns 50 and for anyone that thinks self-breast exams and mammograms don’t save lives. We are all faces of proof against both of those ideas.<br />
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It is overwhelming to see my photo as a part of this exhibit. It almost seems surreal at times. Last year my photo was used for an article on AOL health and people were calling, texting, and emailing that they had seen my photo.<br />
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I was single when I was diagnosed with cancer. Had never been married and wasn’t dating anyone. I was convinced that no man in this world, especially my age, would ever be interested in me because of the breast cancer and because statistically I’m at risk for recurrence or ovarian cancer. I remember standing in my office at work talking to 2 of the secretaries about my upcoming mastectomy and was crying as I asked them, “Who is going to love me now?”<br />
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At some point along my journey, I had accepted this and seemed to be somewhat okay with it. On May 6th (the one-year anniversary of my lat surgery) I met Bud.<br />
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Bud and I hung out several times and eventually started dating. He bought my engagement ring on February 20, 2010 (the three-year anniversary of the day I found my lump).<br />
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We got engaged on May 17, 2010 and married on July 16, 2011. For me, it was a bittersweet day because it was the anniversary of one of my surgeries…but…it was also the day I married my best friend.<br />
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I never saw this day coming because had lost all hope that anyone would ever love me after all that I had been through. I had chalked it up as one more loss to the cancer. But then I met Bud. He loves me unconditionally. Never once did he look at me as the girl with cancer, he always saw me as just Melissa. He taught me that I am worthy of being loved but more important than that, he helped me in the process of learning to love myself again. Even when I told him early on (before we were officially dating I believe) that I would never have children because of the 50/50 chance of passing it on to my child, he still pursued me. There have been times when I feel as though he deserves so much better because he is such a great guy…he should be with a woman that has her real breasts, someone that doesn’t have to eventually have to have her ovaries taken out because of the risk of additional cancer, someone that doesn’t have such a high risk of recurrence or other cancers, and someone that can/will have children because he would be a great dad. But he loves me for me and wouldn’t give me up for anything.<br />
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Bud and I founded <a href="http://www.facebook.com/cancerfightingprincess?sk=info">Cancer Fighting Princess</a> in October 2009. It started out as a conversation, about me and about having a web page about my experience. He asked what I would call it and I said “Cancer Fighting Princess, duh!” From there evolved the idea to start a charity. We have decided to focus on supporting young women currently undergoing treatment for breast and/or any gynecological cancer.<br />
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The SCAR Project [Cincinnati]http://www.blogger.com/profile/13441435200286958535noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515583215288575421.post-4102434247084015702011-08-21T13:38:00.000-07:002011-08-21T13:38:17.126-07:00Incurable and Incredible are both i-Words. "You Are Not a Statistic." Guest Post by Cincinnati Author/Blogger Tami Boehmer <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:PixelsPerInch>96</o:PixelsPerInch> <o:TargetScreenSize>800x600</o:TargetScreenSize> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">[Today's guest blogger is my friend and sister-Survivor/Author/Blogger/Pink Ribbon Girl, Tami Boehmer. Tami is the author of <i>From Incurable to Incredible: Cancer Survivors who Beat the Odds. </i>Besides beating the odds herself, Tami has spent the past couple of years traveling around the country talking to others who are living with stage 4 cancer, gathering stories of hope to share in her book, on her blog, and when she speaks. Because it's such an inspiring book, and in the spirit of battling cancer and beating the odds, The SCAR Project Cincy would like to offer a free copy of Tami's book to one lucky reader. Follow The SCAR Project Cincy blog on Facebook, or leave a comment here, and when we hit 100 followers on Facebook, we'll write everybody's name on ping pong balls and throw them in a keg, I mean, a barrel... then I'll get my hairdryer, and we'll have a fabulous drawing! Ok, not exactly. I don't have a hairdryer. But I can promise you this: it will be completely random. And somebody will win a copy of Tami's book.]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieJ_O7pypLjemaPnUULTWe1LMh3PR0orPcfFi5hfT4TjKjRymQx2FqtFD5mHf2g85SmPTMwy6hLZAbhpZ98tBndtL60aUsLGHFjMT8mzJifeFmxN_bBqo12-7fEP5ge-7Nd1GeQqG5G1qx/s1600/Tami+profile+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieJ_O7pypLjemaPnUULTWe1LMh3PR0orPcfFi5hfT4TjKjRymQx2FqtFD5mHf2g85SmPTMwy6hLZAbhpZ98tBndtL60aUsLGHFjMT8mzJifeFmxN_bBqo12-7fEP5ge-7Nd1GeQqG5G1qx/s320/Tami+profile+pic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:PixelsPerInch>96</o:PixelsPerInch> <o:TargetScreenSize>800x600</o:TargetScreenSize> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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</style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <div class="MsoNormal">Guest Post by Tami Boehmer</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It is interesting how roads intersect in the breast cancer community. I met Joules Evans, who is heading up The Scar Project Cincinnati exhibit, through my cousin’s ex-wife. After much chatting on Facebook, we met in person and, with Joules’ boundless enthusiasm, she told me about this outstanding piece of work.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Later, I had the pleasure of meeting three amazing local women featured in the exhibit. Well, surprisingly I already knew Heather Salazar -- she is a fellow board member of Pink Ribbon Girls, which is the beneficiary of the exhibit! Pink Ribbon Girls (PRG), like The Scar Project, is dedicated to helping and spreading awareness of young breast cancer survivors. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I was 38 in 2002 when I was first diagnosed with stage II breast cancer … too old to be featured in The Scar Project, but young nonetheless. If it weren’t for PRG, I would have felt all alone as I sat in the chemo suite full of people in their 60s, 70s and 80s. While there were many nice people I’ve met while getting treatment, I had a different experience from them. I was working and had a three-year-old child. When I went to my first meeting, I knew I had found a home with these upbeat, brave women, many of whom are still friends today. I later joined its board, paying it back for all the support I’ve received.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In Feb. 2008, I insisted on seeing my breast surgeon a month earlier than my regular check-up because of a large lump I discovered in my right armpit. I had worried from time to time about some swelling and hardness. Since the swelling would go down, my surgeon thought it was probably hormonal. I was so relieved; I didn’t question it. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">She sat me down with the results of the ultrasound, and sadly looked at me. My worst nightmare came true – after five years of being cancer-free, it had come back with a vengeance. The tumor was a very large nine centimeters in diameter. My PET scan report showed spots in lymph nodes in my chest and, most worrisome, my liver. It was stage IV breast cancer. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">My first thought was my daughter, then nine years old. I knew I had to do everything I could to be there for her. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I made the decision to not return to a very stressful job and start the new job of getting Tami well. I researched clinical trials and other research online and sought several doctor opinions. I made exercise, prayer, visualization, and affirmations a daily routine and switched to organic, whole foods and products. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">But still, I fought off depression and was haunted by the sinking feeling I was going to die. With all the focus on myself and getting well, I felt useless and empty.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><b>Yet I gained strength from hearing success stories of other survivors. </b><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">After more than 20 years as a healthcare public relations specialist, I decided to put my interviewing and writing skills to good use. I began interviewing cancer survivors from around the country for my book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">From Incurable to Incredible: Cancer Survivors Who Beat the Odd (released June 2010)</i>. My book features 27 stories of individuals who beat the odds of a terminal diagnosis. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I also started a blog, <a href="http://www.MiracleSurvivors.com/">www.MiracleSurvivors.com</a>, where I share stories, cancer resources and my own experiences as a cancer survivor. One visitor recently told me that at her one-year check-up, her doctor was surprised by her new, upbeat attitude. She told him it was from reading my book and blog. That’s what makes it worth it to me.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">My goal is to give people hope and a different way to see themselves as a survivor and patient. I encourage my followers to be active participants in their healthcare by researching their options, getting additional medical opinions and taking care of themselves in body, mind and spirit. I feel it’s detrimental to give patients death sentences. My mantra is: “Statistics are just numbers that lump together a large, diverse group of individuals. You are not a statistic.”<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This seems true to my situation as my scans have been stable with only two spots in my armpit. My goal is “no evidence of disease,” and I believe I’ll achieve it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I struggle, I think of how the people who shared their stories in my book and on my blog never gave up despite setbacks. It gives me hope and purpose, knowing I’m helping others get through their struggles, too. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I support The Scar Project because of the way it empowers women who participated in it and those who view it. These women are taking back their lives by baring it all. There is no shame; just beauty and strength emanating from them. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">And I’m so grateful the exhibit is supporting PRG, an organization near and dear to my heart. PRG is celebrating its 10<sup>th</sup> anniversary this year, and is reaching even more women with its Mommy Has Breast Cancer (MHBC) program. MHBC <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>is expanding what we’ve been doing for years: assisting young mothers with services and support to make their lives a little easier while going through treatment. By attending the exhibit, you’ll be inspired and empowered, knowing you are helping young survivors. Hope to see you there! <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">From Incurable to Incredible</i> is available at Joseph Beth Booksellers, Whatever Works, New Thought Unity Center, and Good Samaritan Hospital’s gift shop in Cincinnati. You can also find it online on Amazon, BarnesandNoble.com, and Tami’s site, <a href="http://www.MiracleSurvivors.com/">www.MiracleSurvivors.com</a>. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><!--EndFragment--><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGllP_rglNlPi3A6e4ZK2yNTKOlzlAnHH7nrtj4_gt0ONoFv-2UtiIb5eKl_teFvGEh_RMRpcPaIbYey5pB8HMJzlqlZ0Rkdh5-Up8I8QiE6HvtvgrcClhTVMP5_X-PmekHbsxqIlwB54B/s1600/book+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGllP_rglNlPi3A6e4ZK2yNTKOlzlAnHH7nrtj4_gt0ONoFv-2UtiIb5eKl_teFvGEh_RMRpcPaIbYey5pB8HMJzlqlZ0Rkdh5-Up8I8QiE6HvtvgrcClhTVMP5_X-PmekHbsxqIlwB54B/s320/book+cover.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="213" /></a><o:p> </o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><o:p><br />
</o:p></div><!--EndFragment-->The SCAR Project [Cincinnati]http://www.blogger.com/profile/13441435200286958535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515583215288575421.post-11930609992774559432011-08-13T10:17:00.000-07:002011-08-15T13:50:05.865-07:00The Absolute Reality of Stage Zero<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Posted by Joules Evans<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">[In our continuing series of interview with/blogs by SCAR Project participants, I’d like to introduce you to the girl on the other side of the proverbial microphone and the Q’s, not to mention, standing beside herself in the photo below: Jessica Dietze.]</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuIy28G1EHN3NyZjIoSl0IdmDssQpKCA7WFNq8AL1yzYSIOrwhvzGyKb3IyMwTaMkbeDZ_ia_j55mRtFW0xevoKJV4X76v2AeChCmkAZ-ORcfk99uKZLkQAFwhr5LD-tgVcAf68dt4p_pS/s1600/P1010034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuIy28G1EHN3NyZjIoSl0IdmDssQpKCA7WFNq8AL1yzYSIOrwhvzGyKb3IyMwTaMkbeDZ_ia_j55mRtFW0xevoKJV4X76v2AeChCmkAZ-ORcfk99uKZLkQAFwhr5LD-tgVcAf68dt4p_pS/s320/P1010034.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br />
</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Q</span></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">: <i>Can you tell us a little about the cancer part of your story?</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Jessica</span></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">: I was 23 when I was unexpectedly diagnosed with the earliest stage of breast cancer: DCIS (Ductile Carcinoma In Situ) after I had a simple bilateral mastectomy for fibrocystic breast disease. I have no family history of breast cancer so it was more than unexpected. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">I was 19 when I had my first lump removed because of fibrocystic breast disease, then officially diagnosed when I was 20 and started to try anything that would offer relief. I had a couple more surgeries to remove horribly painful lumps since that was the only thing that offered relief. Right before my 23rd birthday I was seeing my surgeon for yet another lump, and asked him if he could just take both of my breasts. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">My mom suffers to this day from fibrocystic breast disease and it does impact her life. I didn't want to keep suffering. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">So that was in August . . . and it took until November . . . after lots of fighting with the insurance company before surgery was approved. My doctors said it probably saved my life. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">With how dense my tissue was they would have never found it until it was a higher stage. One oncologist said it would have been like finding a grain of salt in a straw.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Q: </span></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><i>What drives a girl from Nebraska to fly across the country to NYC to have fashion photographer David Jay take pictures of what [Surviving Cancer. Absolute Reality.] means for you?</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Jessica</span></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">: I did The Scar Project to let people know, stage zero or not, no matter your age, if you lose your breasts you are affected. It changes you even when you say you’re not going to let it. Going through the surgery and losing a part of you that is a big part of femininity will shake you to your core. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">I loved how raw the project was and I felt this connection to the project, like it was something I had to do.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Q: </span></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><i>What did having your portrait taken for The SCAR Project do for you? How does it feel to stand beside yourself in a [Pulitzer nominated] exhibit? Or when you see yourself in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/SCAR-Project-Breast-Cancer-Ribbon/dp/B004YUKKC0">The SCAR Project book</a>, on DVD in The SCAR Project documentary “<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Baring-All-SCAR-Project-documentary/dp/B0058OQ4AI">Baring It All</a>”, on Style Network, in Life Magazine Online...?</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Jessica: </span></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">When I look at the pictures in the book or at the exhibit it’s almost an out of body experience. It’s hard to grasp the fact that I will forever be different because of breast cancer. The fears, the struggles, the future of my life will always have the black cloud of cancer hanging over it. When I look at the pictures in the project it makes me feel less alone . . . helps me deal with those emotions, but yet brings out more in me than I never thought I could feel towards, essentially total strangers. My struggles over the past few years are minor in the grand scheme of life. I look up to all of the women involved and the fights they have had to face. I can’t believe that I’m a part of something so amazing. It’s surreal and breath taking to stand amongst some truly beautiful women.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">I think it’s surreal to have my photo part of such an amazing awareness campaign. I think the pictures really affect people more than any other project or awareness campaign does. It was surreal to see my picture with the LIFE logo in the bottom corner but I couldn’t be any more proud to be amongst the group of women that I am. David is amazing and I hope this project continues to do all that he hoped for and more.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Q: </span></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><i>Where you are now in your life?</i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Jessica: </span></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">2011 has been a whirlwind; one revision surgery for scar tissue turned into me losing both my implants due to infection. I’ve never had to face my body with no breasts. When I had my mastectomy I had immediate reconstruction. It’s easy to be bitter about all of my complications but then I just feel guilty. I’m healthy and in July I got my implants back so I blend in with the rest of society again. I’m ready to start a family with my husband, move past all the surgeries, medical bills, and constant rut of life I feel like I have been.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Q:</span></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"> <i>What surprised you most about your experience being photographed for The SCAR Project? <o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">I was surprised at how affected I felt after we took a break and looked at the photos. I used to try and hide my emotions a lot more then I do now and I remember fighting back the tears. After I got the email from David with some of the shots from the shoot I was just in awe at how gorgeous the pictures were and for the first time since my surgery I wasn’t ashamed of how I looked. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Q:</span></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"> <i>What has surprised you most about yourself through your experience with The SCAR Project...through your experience with cancer? <o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Jessica: </span></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">How emotional and continually affected I am by it. Having stage zero breast cancer is hard, it’s almost like people don’t believe me. I didn’t show any outward signs of the typical cancer patient so everyone just assumed I was, am fine. Toss in some guilt as to why I was lucky enough to have mine caught so soon and feeling overwhelmingly blessed that it was—it’s tough. It’s confusing when doctors don’t know what your future risk factors are and you feel like you are just in this guessing game with cancer. Some days I feel like I’m consumed with all the “what ifs?” . . . other days I’m ready to tell the world it could happen to anyone!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Q:</span></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"> <i>What's the best thing that has come out of the scar project for you personally? <o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Jessica: </span></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">I think it has made me stronger and sensitive to others and the challenges they face in life. It has also given me a confidence I’ve lacked my whole life, I feel powerful and beautiful. I also feel fulfilled to be part of the awareness campaign. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Q:</span></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"> <i>What do you hope happens because of The SCAR Project? <o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Jessica: </span></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">I hope the project brings light to early detection. That it gives hope and courage to anyone facing breast cancer. I also hope that it opens people’s eyes that may not be directly affected, that cancer can happen at all different stages and be more accepting of the effects it has on those dealing with it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Q: </span></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><i>Will you be able to come to Cincinnati for the exhibit this fall?<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Jessica: </span></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">We will be road tripping from Nebraska!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><b>Joules: </b>Yay! Cincinnati, The SCAR Project Cincy Team, and I look forward to hosting you and the other SCAR Project subjects who will be gracing our city and helping spread awareness about early onset breast cancer. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Q:</span></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"> <i>They say a picture is worth a 1000 words. What’s the message of your picture? <o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Jessica: </span></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Sadness, imperfection, pain, strength and confidence.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy-vpad5oXk_5wtK4XknEyRgzAF_bjkCEC7AzB-7HvZz10pLyrd1kZvOSgFs_vDCgTgU-pO6xbvYl6WPCBbuaF8QvW2wQ9IsceehyaqMNrU8RisRD-OABFfmaL6tNKBiG38wHA9JWX0YyR/s1600/_DSC1835-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy-vpad5oXk_5wtK4XknEyRgzAF_bjkCEC7AzB-7HvZz10pLyrd1kZvOSgFs_vDCgTgU-pO6xbvYl6WPCBbuaF8QvW2wQ9IsceehyaqMNrU8RisRD-OABFfmaL6tNKBiG38wHA9JWX0YyR/s320/_DSC1835-1.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Joules: </span></b><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><i>I don’t mean to have the last word here, but I’d like to add one more word: Beauty. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">*******</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">For more articles online about Jessica’s story, please check out:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><a href="http://www.omaha.com/article/20100306/LIVING/703069864"><span style="color: #094ee5;">www.omaha.com/article/20100306/LIVING/703069864</span></a></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><a href="http://secondbasedispatch.com/2010/10/15/beauty-bravery-breast-cancer-revisiting-the-scar-project/"><span style="color: #094ee5;">http://secondbasedispatch.com/2010/10/15/beauty-bravery-breast-cancer-revisiting-the-scar-project/</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
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</div>The SCAR Project [Cincinnati]http://www.blogger.com/profile/13441435200286958535noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515583215288575421.post-12595685345746882952011-08-09T16:53:00.000-07:002011-08-09T20:14:53.398-07:00Cocktail Party Notes on Napkins and a Red CarpetPosted by Joules Evans<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEkc5K7SxfHm1lHrU94ScE5cc0_GZ6gOSLiRhw1EYdDXh6rrTLZyM1FdZMKU1gedYeRklME2taPxjokfKXUUFAmLxKJJyg7LChoab5_Hn_Qn2ltNFbgk_QkpCmS5W_0Cy_TkSaIVssZZxF/s1600/287940_2107190011188_1588680116_2007350_3929271_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img "="" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEkc5K7SxfHm1lHrU94ScE5cc0_GZ6gOSLiRhw1EYdDXh6rrTLZyM1FdZMKU1gedYeRklME2taPxjokfKXUUFAmLxKJJyg7LChoab5_Hn_Qn2ltNFbgk_QkpCmS5W_0Cy_TkSaIVssZZxF/s320/287940_2107190011188_1588680116_2007350_3929271_o.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diana, David, Heather, Vanessa</td></tr>
</tbody></table>If you were watching pictures from the SCAR Project documentary screening/cocktail party wallpapering Facebook last weekend, you probably noticed we had a very special guest with us.<br />
<br />
Yes, it's true that Pulitzer nominated SCAR Project photographer David Jay did make a surprise visit to Cincinnati for the screening. (It was his first trip <i>ever </i>to Ohio, btw—imagine <i>his </i>surprise when we took him for a walk across the Purple People Bridge and he also got to see the blue grass on the other side;) It's also true that Cincinnati SCAR Project subject Vanessa Tiemeier and Dayton SCAR Project subjects Heather Salazar and Diana Featherstone made a special appearance, and each shared their SCAR (an acronym for <i>Surviving Cancer. Absolute Reality.</i>) Project stories.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6MIn3OZQE4rvLnYuXgjNH9MiW21RD3Ne-qE9KLqrjwz3ULFDWR8GO8pIXiLHo6VnSsnM0NK7hwab-G3gsQ4tDJi_Rix_fNEJx9ePtw9FfCjbsJ_E-N6_jzOUsT8w5OJUNAbhcHWUd4SL/s1600/FJ-team.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6MIn3OZQE4rvLnYuXgjNH9MiW21RD3Ne-qE9KLqrjwz3ULFDWR8GO8pIXiLHo6VnSsnM0NK7hwab-G3gsQ4tDJi_Rix_fNEJx9ePtw9FfCjbsJ_E-N6_jzOUsT8w5OJUNAbhcHWUd4SL/s320/FJ-team.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diana, David, Flat Jolene, Heather, Joules, Flat Jolene,<br />
Vanessa, Flat Jolene, Pam, Litsa</td></tr>
</tbody></table>But there was also another guest of honor: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/FlatJolene">Flat Jolene</a>. Flat Jolene travels the world in search of epic adventures for the original Jolene, the SCAR Project subject we recently posted about <a href="http://thescarprojectcincy.blogspot.com/2011/07/jolenes-story.html">here</a>. Flat Jolene's mission includes "raising awareness about young adults (men and women ages 18-49) who are living with metastatic disease." The SCAR Project Cincinnati Exhibit is in sync with that mission. We'd like to thank Flat Jolene for coming to our cocktail party!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhJiuFcxf3LURmFRP1E0paQ2-K-za-VKqoK91kitzRgwufoMBwTZZXp5a4buYvbSmnZS1wKjU_Q0qed2fk08WvbxUwEJ9tmaS_7HjLFPDLCoxWzctUKRC8o6tLcx7jlEKWV6wUv0qHm26/s1600/FL+group+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhJiuFcxf3LURmFRP1E0paQ2-K-za-VKqoK91kitzRgwufoMBwTZZXp5a4buYvbSmnZS1wKjU_Q0qed2fk08WvbxUwEJ9tmaS_7HjLFPDLCoxWzctUKRC8o6tLcx7jlEKWV6wUv0qHm26/s1600/FL+group+small.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flat Jolene is in the building!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>We'd also like to thank the original Jolene for being my very special guest and co-blogger on this post.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So without further ado, here's Jolene's story, in her own words:</div><blockquote><div style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">So, a lot of people have asked me to share my story about my fight with cancer. I decided to write it here so anyone and everyone can read it. Just to warn you, it is long, but here it goes.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b></b>When I was 17, I felt my first lump in my right breast. I ignored it for months until I finally went in for my annual exam and the nurse practitioner felt it. She immediately freaked out and referred me to a surgeon who ordered an ultrasound. I was like . . . “What is this bitch getting me into? I'm TOO young for this to be cancer!"</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I went and got the ultrasound and we found out that it was solid and not a cyst like everyone thought. After that, I went to the surgeon and he gave me the option to either have a biopsy or get it removed. I decided to get it removed. So in July of 2003, I had my first lumpectomy. A few weeks went by and I didn't hear anything about my results so we figured that no news was good news. I started college to become a medical assistant and after my first day of school, I came home to find my surgeon sitting on my couch with my family! OMG, talk about house calls! He explained to me that my results took so long to come back because they had to send the pathology to Stanford since no one at the local hospital knew what it was. He then told me my diagnosis was a Phyllodes tumor. He said that before me, he had never even heard of it. It was borderline malignant and he didn't get clean margins. His understanding from what he read about it was that it would be best to do a single mastectomy followed by radiation, then reconstruction.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Being a 17 year old girl, my boobs were my best friends! I couldn’t imagine walking around with only one boob. What an idiot! If only I knew back then what I know now!! The surgeon decided to send me to a specialist at the UC Davis Cancer Center who had seen Phyllodes before. The specialist advised that a mastectomy wasn’t needed and we'd take the wait and see approach.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">In October of 2003, I had my second lumpectomy to get clear margins and remove the second borderline malignant Phyllodes tumor from the right breast. After that, we did follow up visits every 3 months for a while. Eventually, it went to every 6 months and I was clear for about a year and a half. In February of 2005, when I was 19, I had my third lumpectomy for another borderline Phyllodes tumor. My doctor still didn't pursue the mastectomy because he felt that it wasn't going to turn malignant and wanted to preserve my breasts due to my young age.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">June of 2008 rolled around and my doctor retired and my insurance changed, so I had to find a different Surgical Oncologist. Of course, I slacked on that until I felt a lump in my left breast in October of 2008. I found a really great surgeon and he did a lumpectomy that December. Immediately after that lumpectomy, I started to feel a lump in my right breast. It was pretty big by the time I got into to see my surgeon and at that time we decided that I was done getting lumpectomies every few years and it was time to do the double mastectomy. My new surgeon couldn't get me scheduled until February of 2009 for the double mastectomy. By that time, my tumor was 11CM; the size of a softball. I had grown out of my B-Cup bra and even out of a C-Cup bra. I thought my boob was going to explode! It was so painful!! The pathology report from my mastectomy showed that the tumor in my right breast was, in fact, now a malignant Phyllodes tumor. My left breast had more Phyllodes tumors and DCIS.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">This is where the fun began! A PET scan was ordered and revealed hot spots in my right lung, right shoulder, a lymph node in my right armpit, and a lymph node in my right groin. My oncologist ordered a bone biopsy in my right shoulder because that was the easiest one to biopsy. That came back as a rare benign lesion. Then we decided to biopsy the lymph node in my right groin. Unfortunately, they didn't get a good enough sample. The biopsy was inconclusive. My oncologist decided that since the bone biopsy was negative for cancer, the other spots weren't cancer, either. What a mistake. I went back to work and went on with my normal life. About 4 months later, I had a repeat PET scan. It showed the spots were getting bigger. The lymph node biopsy was repeated, and what do you know, it came back positive for Phyllodes. My oncologist diagnosed me as Stage IV and referred me to a Sarcoma specialist at UCSF because he had never seen this kind of cancer.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I started chemo in October of 2009. I did Doxorubucin (aka Adriamycin, the Red Devil) and Ifosamide and had to be admitted to the hospital at UCSF for 6 days for each treatment. I completed 3 rounds of this protocol and had another PET scan. It showed that the cancer was unresponsive. So, in Febuary of 2010, I started Taxotere combined with another chemo that I can’t remember the name of right now. LOL! After 3 rounds of that protocol, I had a PET scan and it revealed it was working!! Yay!! My oncologist and I decided to do 3 more rounds. After completing the first round of this three, I noticed the right side of my lips were really, really numb. My local oncologist ordered a CT of my brain which came back normal.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">About 3 weeks later, I noticed what I thought was an abscess in my mouth where I had 2 molars removed the year before. I went to the dentist and got x-rays done and they said it wasn’t an abscess but a cyst or a tumor and it was sitting on my nerve in my jaw which was causing the numbness in my lips. It started getting bigger and bigger and was really starting to get painful. I was, FINALLY, referred to an ENT oncologist at UCSF and he did a biopsy. The biopsy revealed a sarcoma. I, of course, assumed it was another Phyllodes. I would find out at a later date that I was wrong. On June 24, 2010, I had the right side of my jaw removed and reconstructed with my Fibula and a steel rod. I was in surgery for 15 hours and the ICU for 9 days, but I only remember 3 of them. LOL! All together, I was in the hospital for 2 weeks. The tumor measured 7 cm and grew that big in only 7 weeks!!</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">In August, I learned that the tumor was a whole different kind of sarcoma. So I've had 3 different kinds of cancer and they're planning on testing me for Li-Fraumeni Syndrome next month. It's a genetic disorder that increases your chances of getting different kinds of cancers and, usually, affects kids and young adults. I started a clinical trial at UCSF the beginning of this month. It's a mixture of Avastin, Taxol, and a brand new drug that doesn't even have a name yet. I have to go to San Francisco every week for eight weeks. Then we'll do another PET scan. I'm praying that this works!! Third time’s a charm, right?!? I can't wait to just be done with this and get on with my life cancer free!!</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Update: Jolene's chondrosarcoma in her jaw recurred before the end of 2010. She was recently advised that the genetic testing for Li Fraumeni is positive and she underwent another grueling 18 hour surgery almost identical to the surgery she had last June. More of Jolene's jaw was taken and rebuilt. A couple of months after her most recent jaw surgery, it was determined that Jolene had two chondrosarcoma tumors growing in her sinus cavity/brain. Jolene underwent surgery to debulk those tumors and relieve some of her pain. After that surgery, Jolene (with the support of her family) decided to enter hospice care and live a life of quality over quantity. Jolene is busy enjoying time with her family and friends</div></blockquote>Video message from Jolene: <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://3.gvt0.com/vi/2_uNrc0sVyM/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2_uNrc0sVyM&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2_uNrc0sVyM&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3XLXbCGFmX4n3S0MjkUr_w4cXs7JKQe2KxaS1CNIjCMrbtzLQlkZHIIF7HmIHbPbVPdbSsxTVg0fm1Wm6qy4QbNBS9Y2-WurGJy8KtneR6w7RB-LZcArC0-YYs1NVlutOyFAggV4HYUX9/s1600/FJ-card.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3XLXbCGFmX4n3S0MjkUr_w4cXs7JKQe2KxaS1CNIjCMrbtzLQlkZHIIF7HmIHbPbVPdbSsxTVg0fm1Wm6qy4QbNBS9Y2-WurGJy8KtneR6w7RB-LZcArC0-YYs1NVlutOyFAggV4HYUX9/s200/FJ-card.jpg" width="200" /></a>To our dear Original Jolene: Flat Jolene was with us (in the cardboard!), but you were with us too, in all of our hearts. We have mad love for you here in Cincinnati, keeping you always in our thoughts and prayers. Thank you for your video message. It meant the world to us. You mean the world to us. Jolene, Cincinnati loves you!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The SCAR Project [Cincinnati]http://www.blogger.com/profile/13441435200286958535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515583215288575421.post-32127907191745950422011-08-04T06:00:00.000-07:002011-08-04T07:43:18.002-07:00Heather & Diana: Beneath the Pink - Lifting the Curtain on the Effects of Breast Cancer<div class="column"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Crimson Text'; line-height: 18px;">[In our continuing series of articles about/interviews with The SCAR Project subjects, we'd like to introduce guest bloggers <b>Heather Printz Salazar</b> and <b>Diana Featherstone</b>. Both of them work with the Pink Ribbon Girls of Dayton and both of them will be at the cocktail party/documentary showing Thursday evening from 6-9.]</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Crimson Text'; font-size: large; line-height: 18px;">Heather Printz Salazar </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Crimson Text'; line-height: 18px;"></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Crimson Text'; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB38s1diCVBCidzL9S88rFqkINGyYyBCRCO0L40Pml6c2hxA8mng2Dnrlmqwx4nV8XD1FXIhzKff88oVQrAcR1LnaUreu4Cg4oqoUpr2fv_1TJ_H8D9rLu7k17E6PJgSvPxxkQpK8BkVqh/s1600/67668_1672795704171_1365764595_1756725_6266887_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB38s1diCVBCidzL9S88rFqkINGyYyBCRCO0L40Pml6c2hxA8mng2Dnrlmqwx4nV8XD1FXIhzKff88oVQrAcR1LnaUreu4Cg4oqoUpr2fv_1TJ_H8D9rLu7k17E6PJgSvPxxkQpK8BkVqh/s320/67668_1672795704171_1365764595_1756725_6266887_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Heather and her daughters, Lexi and Cara</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">It was 2007 and I was in New York taking some teens on a mission trip around the city before I participated in the Scar project. My mom and dad flew in with my daughters Cara and Lexi, our son Caleb was with me on the mission trip. My oldest son and husband were back home for his basketball game. The whole experience was very surreal. I had been going to New York since 8th grade and I am in love with NYC, however, it was my parents' and kids' first visit. We woke up the next morning to go meet David and do the shoot. My head was spinning. “Should I be doing this?” “Should I allow my girls to participate?” “What were my parents really thinking?” I got out of the shower and total peace just came over me. I sat all 3 kids down on the bed and explained to them why we were doing this. I told them breast cancer was not pretty, it was very ugly and difficult. They were each sharing their thoughts about when mommy was sick, lost her hair, couldn’t drive, and getting medicine in her veins for a year. I told them our story is a little different because Lexi’s mom had died from breast cancer, despite the fact that I got breast cancer too. I told them God made us a family, but both girls have be aware about breast cancer. I told them we were participating in a project that shows the world the truth about breast cancer, and that we were working to end breast cancer so they don’t have to worry about it anymore.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;"><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Breast Cancer had first come into our lives boldly in 2002 when I met a young woman, Alexis, who was nearing the end of her battle with stage four breast cancer and needed a home for her baby girl. I prayed about this and told my husband Steve I thought we should adopt her. His first response was: What? We already had three small children. Five weeks later, we had a new baby. Lexi. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Throughout the next year, we took Alexis to chemo, doctors’ appointments,<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"> and then hospice. It was so incredibly painful to watch someone so young go through so much. Alexis was raised in the foster care system and had very little support. Before we had met, she went to her mastectomy by herself. Then she took a cab home from her mastectomy. </span></span></span>Alexis had experienced so much adversity throughout her life and she wanted to ensure that her baby grew up secured and loved. Alexis died at the young age of 24. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Two years later, with no family history, I was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 31. All I could think about was seeing Lexi’s mom die from this terrible disease. Would my children grow up without a mother? Would Lexi lose two mothers to breast cancer?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"> </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">I truly believe that Lexi’s mother is my guardian angel; she probably saved my life. She had been unaware that young women could get breast cancer, and her initial diagnosis was late stage. Afterwards she would tell everyone she knew to check their breasts. If I had never met her, I highly doubt I would have ever performed a self exam, and I would have been dead before my first mammogram.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;"> </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;">That was our background as we all piled in a NYC taxi cab to the studio for my SCAR Project photo shoot. As soon as we met David and Joanie, I knew we were doing the right thing. David was sweet, professional, loving, and passionate about the project. He captured exactly who we are and what we stand for as a family. My husband cried the first time he saw the photo. I left empowered to do what I was called to do.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 18px;"> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 18px;">Through my life experience, I feel passionate about supporting women through breast cancer. I cannot express how excited I am to start Pink Ribbon Girls of Dayton. There are no specific groups in the Dayton area for young women dealing with breast cancer. Through this non-profit organization, young women are offered education and awareness for early detection, support, and an outlet to express fears. As I know firsthand, breast cancer is NOT prejudiced, it doesn’t care if you’re black, white, rich, poor, young or old. It can interrupt your life when you least expect it. We need to leave a legacy with our children’s children by curing breast cancer. Until then, we need to support the women fighting the disease so they can be around for the cure.</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">[And that's when Heather heard about Diana, who had just moved to Dayton a month prior to being diagnosed with breast cancer. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 18px;">"Heather showed up at the doorstep with flowers," said </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 18px;">Diana, who was 32 when she saw a lump in the mirror. Thankfully, her doctor ordered a mammogram.]</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Crimson Text'; font-size: large; line-height: 18px;">Diana Featherstone </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Crimson Text'; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij8wM_owP433b1_tMgkfQ86hIlIgoTaLlli6mSXzdonzvdw5fUQqkBzW60-sy-KliOzsklMBXCHPPvSt_oF64roM5NvNzg03wMFkHNZ49QCBpnzDD9DlVBDzf-6wCKj7Iq3EiuL_iSWkUq/s1600/Diana-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij8wM_owP433b1_tMgkfQ86hIlIgoTaLlli6mSXzdonzvdw5fUQqkBzW60-sy-KliOzsklMBXCHPPvSt_oF64roM5NvNzg03wMFkHNZ49QCBpnzDD9DlVBDzf-6wCKj7Iq3EiuL_iSWkUq/s1600/Diana-2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Diana</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I, like many others, connected with David Jay through a post on the Young Survival Coalitionʼs message board. Before cancer and even during treatment, I made every effort possible to avoid having my picture taken. So, you can imagine what it took for me to decide to fly to New York and bare my scars for a total stranger.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Before I arrived, I was very nervous about not being model material. David was used to photographing beautiful women for fashion magazines. I was a mother of two from the Midwest who survived chemo by eating macaroni and cheese. Lots of it.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">It turns out, my worries were completely unfounded. David and his team made my husband and I feel completely comfortable from the minute we stepped in the door. His dog even helped herself to a snack from my purse. After trying on a few looks, the resulting photo was one of empowerment and strength...something I really needed at that time.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">My husband, McKay, saw me and my scars in broad daylight for the first time that day. This is what the SCAR Project gave back to me. This is why I am so passionate about the story he is trying to tell.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">As survivors, we spend a lot of energy making the people we love around us feel ok. Partly because we want to move on as much as we can, because we donʼt want to scare people away, because many people donʼt want to see beyond the pink.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">These photographs, and the people committed to sharing the stories behind them through film, exhibitions, online media and more, lift the curtain on the effects breast cancer. I thank them for their efforts on behalf of myself, and everyone else who has been told that they were too young for breast cancer. </span></div>The SCAR Project [Cincinnati]http://www.blogger.com/profile/13441435200286958535noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515583215288575421.post-89376421355525579872011-07-29T13:51:00.000-07:002011-08-15T13:51:36.942-07:00"Yeah, I'm a SCAR project groupie..."[In our continuing series of articles about/interviews with The SCAR Project subjects, we'd like to introduce guest blogger Sara Bartosiewicz-Hamilton. This article is cross posted at Sara's blog: <a href="http://slbarto.blogspot.com/">slbarto.blogspot.com</a>. Please visit her site for more about her story.]<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFs64eNeSq5DXpLl3cVQjsRj83_Aab_1zZV3gqqYns5nB5Dtsn3BiEc0rt6K-6fVZyk6xMET71UbI4s4RVwOwFWOpL8AnWcku-QHM0M_R6iRrn8NClaJoRGmVaaUyMTJLOGncnZ2D_LVX/s1600/34425_474730493687_511068687_6825712_2806859_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFs64eNeSq5DXpLl3cVQjsRj83_Aab_1zZV3gqqYns5nB5Dtsn3BiEc0rt6K-6fVZyk6xMET71UbI4s4RVwOwFWOpL8AnWcku-QHM0M_R6iRrn8NClaJoRGmVaaUyMTJLOGncnZ2D_LVX/s320/34425_474730493687_511068687_6825712_2806859_n.jpg" width="278" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I am so excited - this fall, the SCAR Project is going to be going to Cincinnati, Ohio!! I am hoping I will be able to share the exhibit experience with some of those closest to me...</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Everytime I think about the SCAR project, I get an overwhelming feeling of deepest gratitude. I can pinpoint the experience of going to NYC and posing for David Jay as the first time in my life where I truly embraced myself. It would also be the first time that I met three of my "SCAR sisters": Jessica, Melissa, and Gabrielle. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">These beautiful women embraced me, encouraged me, and "showed me the ropes" of breast reconstruction.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">My story is slightly different than many of my SCAR sisters...I never had breast cancer. I was 29 when I found out I have the BRCA2 gene mutation. Because of my family history, I immediately signed up for a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy (PBM). At that point, having a mastectomy prophylactically was not well publicized. As a result, there were people in my life who thought I was insane for cutting off seemingly "healthy" body parts. It was difficult to try to deal with the procedures and the changes to my body while also trying to explain or justify my decisions to those around me. I created a blog to journal my decisions and journey...I was determined to share my story so that those who would have to make similar choices would not feel the loneliness and judgement I felt.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">My blog, at the time, was via myspace...Jessica found me there. She and I became friends. One day, she emailed me about a project - the SCAR project...she told me that she was meeting two other girls in NYC and she thought I should come as well. I looked up the website and immediately emailed David Jay. I explained my story and the fact I did not have cancer but I thought my message was important as well...and, thankfully, he agreed to have me come and pose for him.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I was so incredibly nervous. My youngest sister lives in NYC so I had flown out and stayed with her and she accompanied me to David's studio. Thankfully, Jessica, Melissa, and Gabrielle were also there and very supportive - they had already finished posing. I brought a picture with me...a picture which helps tell my story. In the picture I'm holding is my mom and two of her sisters: one who has had breast cancer, one who has not had cancer and does not have the gene, and my mom, who has not had cancer but has the gene. Even though each of their stories is a little different, every girl in the photo lost her mother to cancer - my nona died at a young age from breast and ovarian cancer. The little girls in the photo would grow up and face multiple siblings who fought various cancers, multiple relatives who would die from cancer.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I flew back to NYC last fall - the opening of the SCAR Project exhibit. It had been three years since I had posed. It was a surreal experience - something that changed my life was now going to be on display for the world. My youngest sister was my date for the night. We met up with Melissa and Gabrielle and went into the gallery. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-cJW5udy_y2u_Xd2Og57quvt291n5Aq3w60pukBzQfyVfdPP_6zzrMk-7yXx2Ou9ybElfBY_QvFW-x1X79_5ilMInoEEse2px5HmFF5oI5PHFzLxxHX3WlnzDj8lfL24e9_MUGL4MOrRc/s1600/69057_484361628687_511068687_7015700_717521_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-cJW5udy_y2u_Xd2Og57quvt291n5Aq3w60pukBzQfyVfdPP_6zzrMk-7yXx2Ou9ybElfBY_QvFW-x1X79_5ilMInoEEse2px5HmFF5oI5PHFzLxxHX3WlnzDj8lfL24e9_MUGL4MOrRc/s320/69057_484361628687_511068687_7015700_717521_n.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="294" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Sara, Melissa, David Jay, Gabbrielle</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">It is difficult for me to describe what I felt when I first stepped into the bright white gallery where the photos reach out to grab you - awe, inspired, nervousness, comradery...the list goes on and on. I was able to meet more of my SCAR sisters...it was strange because it was difficult to pick each other out of the crowd, apparently, we all look slightly different with clothes on! I attempted to verbalize my gratitude to David Jay but, of course, ended up blubbering like an idiot...ha! Thankfully, I had come prepared with a card that spelled out my gratitude to a man with the most tender of hearts who captured the strength and beauty of me and my SCAR sisters...</span><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Today, I can tell you, I am fortunate to call even more SCAR sisters my friends. We are a unique group of women each with different stories and different challenges. Yet, we all come together and support each other in these journeys. I am hoping to meet up with many of them in Ohio this fall...and, I think, many of us will be holding an incredibly special sister,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/#%21/FlatJolene" style="color: #d42988; text-decoration: none;">Jolene</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">, close in our hearts.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The SCAR Project has taken on a life of its own: a</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/SCAR-Project-Breast-Cancer-Ribbon/dp/B004YUKKC0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1311954728&sr=8-1" style="color: #d42988; text-decoration: none;">book</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">, a</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Baring-All-SCAR-Project-documentary/dp/B0058OQ4AI/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1311954728&sr=8-11" style="color: #d42988; text-decoration: none;">documentary</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">, a</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.thescarproject.org/" style="color: #d42988; text-decoration: none;">website</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">, a</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GI5w6Bv5eZs" style="color: #d42988; text-decoration: none;">youtube video</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">, a</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/#%21/pages/The-SCAR-Project/255064983743" style="color: #d42988; text-decoration: none;">facebook page</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">, and a plethora of articles. I am in awe and so proud to have been a small part of this Pulitzer prize nominated project. My hope of sharing my story has been realized many times over...I often read the FB page and am thankful as I see women who are finding comfort and hope in the photos. That is what this project is about - waking people up to the reality of what cancer is...and, at the same time, helping all of our sisters realize the beauty in their strength and scars.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I'm a SCAR project groupie...I wish I could make every opening, unfortunately I won't (I'm REALLY bummed Italy is a no go for me!)...but, this fall, you, me, and Cincinnati!! Please check out their</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://thescarprojectcincy.blogspot.com/" style="color: #d42988; text-decoration: none;">blog</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #323232; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">for the exhibit - they will be featuring many of my SCAR sisters and getting the word out so we can raise money for a fabulous local organization!</span>The SCAR Project [Cincinnati]http://www.blogger.com/profile/13441435200286958535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515583215288575421.post-24081367900180438002011-07-14T10:54:00.000-07:002011-08-15T13:52:33.964-07:00SCAR Project Documentary Viewing and Cocktail Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Baring-It-All/225979124080038" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpPZaSvv6pLnRJ1MWo82LjxGKm9MJRUYfDD_N_c2rxcvtTP0Joc6y9mJ-CA0U4tpXHAvjuZ6eF8V0wcbnXTBA8zrqk_WMvcNmZGbEe7F2ZgnyUeNlHe5q_efzQlnmhlvPFy6YQsX_7IfiJ/s200/Baring-It-All.jpg" width="158" /></a></div><div class="description summary"><b>Thursday, August 4th • 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm</b> <i> </i></div><div class="description summary"><i>(Film will begin at 7:00 pm)</i></div><div class="description summary"></div><div class="description summary"><br />
<b>Art Design Consultants Gallery</b> </div><div class="description summary">310 Culvert Street, 5th Floor, Cincinnati, OH 45202 </div><div class="description summary"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fbing.com%2Fmaps%2Fdefault.aspx%3Fv%3D2%26pc%3DFACEBK%26mid%3D8100%26where1%3D310%2BCulvert%2BStreet%252C%2B5th%2BFloor%252C%2BCincinnati%252C%2BOH%2B45202%26FORM%3DFBKPL0%26name%3DADC%252C%2BArt%2BDesign%2BConsultants%26mkt%3Den-US&h=eAQD5H3YU">(Get Directions)</a> </div><div class="description summary"></div><div class="description summary"><br />
Please join the SCAR Project Cincinnati Planning Committee for cocktails, a viewing of the SCAR Project documentary: "Baring It All," and to meet our beneficiary: <a href="http://www.pinkribbongirls.com/">Pink Ribbon Girls</a>, as well as some of our sponsors and other friends of the SCAR Project Cincinnati exhibit. </div><div class="description summary"></div><div class="description summary"></div><div class="description summary"><br />
Several SCAR Project subjects will be attending, including Vanessa Tiemeier, who was one of the 4 young women featured in the documentary. Also, we will have a few door prizes to give away.<br />
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The SCAR Project Documentary Showing and Cocktail Party is gratis, however we will be collecting donations for Jolene, a SCAR Project subject who is currently at home in Hospice. <a href="http://thescarprojectcincy.blogspot.com/2011/07/jolenes-story.html">(Her story)</a></div><div class="description summary"></div><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004YUKKC0" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrG1hLGIqMSIik3oLJfraEJVYlnH154qwNReBfklso5MwpKBV92DQis2JdoIRjb4Z2j9BhddCYhDaI3bV6VnEjIvRZwVnk0U6DydgLD_7fx7bmeF5VHSRymm4i8KcJewSxZV1Omg8KjKNZ/s200/the-scar-project-book.jpg" width="155" /></a>We hope to have a limited supply of SCAR Project books and Baring It All DVDs available for purchase that evening.<br />
<div class="description summary" style="text-align: left;"><br />
<b>Related Links: </b></div><div class="description summary" style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_683518620"><br />
</a></div><div class="description summary" style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=181964538532960">Viewing/Cocktail Party Facebook Event Page</a> </div><div class="description summary" style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Baring-It-All/225979124080038">Baring It All Facebook Page</a><br />
<a href="http://amzn.com/B0058OQ4AI">Buy "Baring It All" on Amazon</a> <i>(available 7/25/11)</i> </div><div class="description summary" style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/p%E2%80%8Broduct/B004YUKKC0">Buy The SCAR Project Book on Amazon</a></div><div class="description summary" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="description summary" style="text-align: left;"><i>Please contact thescarprojectcincy[at]gmail.com with questions. </i></div>The SCAR Project [Cincinnati]http://www.blogger.com/profile/13441435200286958535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515583215288575421.post-4057972715543619642011-07-13T22:14:00.000-07:002011-07-14T06:31:34.629-07:00Jolene's Story<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJkvK9Rka2d2OjCzt0YnGsg0KMUMoDSStWJPtVWg7M-DVGAIPG0jx2kzsmrrwqIH5sErszdhoAbc1W1r6d7vB2b38HHCXdR0PPuSw8V690TxirbbO7yN9zrpBUYe8oBOIQVrcBcEhXUkq/s1600/Jolene.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629099607678686610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJkvK9Rka2d2OjCzt0YnGsg0KMUMoDSStWJPtVWg7M-DVGAIPG0jx2kzsmrrwqIH5sErszdhoAbc1W1r6d7vB2b38HHCXdR0PPuSw8V690TxirbbO7yN9zrpBUYe8oBOIQVrcBcEhXUkq/s320/Jolene.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 287px;" /></a>Posted by Vanessa Tiemeier<br />
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Right now as I write this, I have goosebumps and feel nauseous. My good friend and fellow SCAR Project photo subject, Jolene, is fighting the fight of her life right now. I consider her a friend, although we have never met. However, her personality shines through her <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1277542253">Facebook posts</a> and she is witty, blunt, forward, and honest.<br />
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Most people dealing with cancer have to adopt some sort of message-relaying stystem. Mine has mainly been through my Carepage. I tend to be somewhat vague, usually upbeat, and not too focused on my situation. I am vague because I don't like to have to go into details that most people won't understand anyway, am upbeat because I don't want people to worry and it is usually easier for me to grin and bear it that it is to spill the beans, and don't like to focus on my situation because I hate the fact that cancer is a part of my life and just want to be excited about other aspects of it. I don't like to be in the spotlight. People call me brave, or "so optimistic", but in reality, sometimes I wish I had the guts to just tell like it really is...<br />
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Which is why I <span style="font-style: italic;">seriously</span> admire Jolene's no-holds-barred attitude. I can only hope to be as genuine and self-aware as she is everyday.<br />
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Jolene was 17 years old when she found out she had a Phyllodes tumor. T<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8a_oL2sRZka1Nq2kYcTNuUNQ7Z8FlQCQyOIDnsAqtzFgsdGDP867QOzBk-m6UBv2gf67vfqictZxoFCTLV5C3m0xtjA5ZDEfbvh9JZWu8Pk9Q9GTwUfigWHvlQnu04JMhBGChrcEf0-4-/s1600/Jolene+no+hair.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629099845322391282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8a_oL2sRZka1Nq2kYcTNuUNQ7Z8FlQCQyOIDnsAqtzFgsdGDP867QOzBk-m6UBv2gf67vfqictZxoFCTLV5C3m0xtjA5ZDEfbvh9JZWu8Pk9Q9GTwUfigWHvlQnu04JMhBGChrcEf0-4-/s200/Jolene+no+hair.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 200px; margin: 0 0 10px 10px; width: 150px;" /></a>hree things to point out here: <span style="font-weight: bold;">1.</span> SHE WAS 17! <span style="font-weight: bold;">2.</span> Phyllodes tumors account for less than 1% of all breast cancers. <span style="font-weight: bold;">3.</span> Her surgeon came to her house to explain her pathology report because he himself hadn't even heard of such a thing before her. And if this seems incomprehensible to you, believe me, you are not the only one who cannot wrap their head around it.<br />
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But that is just the beginning of Jolene's ordeal. Since her Phyllodes tumor detection, she had a different 11 cm sarcoma tumor (the size of a softball), had a double mastectomy, more Phyllodes in her lymph nodes, got a Stage 4 (Metastatic cancer) diagnosis, countless rounds of chemo, a 7 cm sarcoma in her jaw (which grew that big in 7 weeks), followed by the right side of her jaw removed and reconstructed with her Fibula from her right leg, only to find out a year later that the cancer returned to her jaw so she had to then remove her <span style="font-style: italic;">entire</span> jaw using her <span style="font-style: italic;">left</span> tibia this time, many rounds of radiation to her face, a solid mass behind her eye that was destroying the bone of her sinus and cranial cavities, cancer spots that showed up on her jaw <span style="font-style: italic;">again</span> (even after both major surgeries) as well as spots on her lung, surgery to relieve the pressure/pain from behind her eye, and had a mini stroke from the tumor on her brain....which brings us to today.<br />
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I cannot even begin to express my thoughts on all this. I think it hit me most when her <a href="http://www.facebook.com/FlatJolene">Flat Jolene</a> page <span style="font-style: italic;">(friends & supporters who travel with cut-outs of Jolene's head so she can "be" at places all over the world)</span> posted this notice: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/notes/flat-jolene/donations-for-jolenes-celebration-of-life-services-helping-her-family-to-celebra/253254391355251">Donations for Jolene's Celebration of Life Services - Helping her family to celebrate her life now and in the future</a>. Jolene is in Hospice at home. She sums it up best herself:<br />
<blockquote>"good morning world!!! another day, another thing to be greatful for!! Hospice social worker and nurses coming today, then its Tinkerbell time, and more time spent with my great friends and family!! they know who they are!! thanks guys for being here for me everyday and making sure im being well taken care of and not alone!! this past week that i've been home has been full of very special moments, laughter and tears!"</blockquote><br />
Jolene, <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWjip-Oxs5AOCFEvSW9EiNN58AjWJWk4VdBbfxI9rVMsJMYNcZI_af05CwAjE4Sm0p7TX7qo3xie0BvRDlyJgHRjOcow7rcKVTmBej2tjL0PWJ7gPEkDj4jL5RQiYp9D4uyKE7MvHmM6GT/s1600/Jolene-now.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629107385584318626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWjip-Oxs5AOCFEvSW9EiNN58AjWJWk4VdBbfxI9rVMsJMYNcZI_af05CwAjE4Sm0p7TX7qo3xie0BvRDlyJgHRjOcow7rcKVTmBej2tjL0PWJ7gPEkDj4jL5RQiYp9D4uyKE7MvHmM6GT/s320/Jolene-now.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 218px;" /></a>I feel in some small way deeply connected to you, since we have 2 things in common: We allow the world to see us as we are through our SCAR Project photos, and we have Stage 4 mets. Although we share those 2 things, I will never measure up to your true beauty. You are so wise, raw, real, graceful, compassionate and sincere. I am humbled by your poise and inspired by your passion. To say that you have touched the lives of many would be an understatement. Because of you, I realize that every moment is precious and should be lived to the fullest.<br />
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I dedicate my involvement in the the SCAR Project to you. I will share your story to everyone I meet. I try to live by the motto "Live Sincerely." You truly do. Thank you.Vanessa Tiemeierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06937645539484135712noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515583215288575421.post-78092046929442652162011-07-07T15:06:00.000-07:002011-07-07T19:13:37.286-07:00The SCAR Project documentary “Baring It All” On Style Network this Saturday at 9 pm.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"></span><br />
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Posted by Joules Evans<br />
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Tune in this Saturday at 9 pm to the Style Network’s world premiere of “<a href="http://www.lostinvision.com/Lost_In_Vision/Baring_it_All.html" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #f3686d; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="Baring It All">Baring It All”</a>—Patricia Zagarella’s groundbreaking documentary about the Pulitzer nominated SCAR Project.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://joulesevans.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/dvdcover_poster.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #f3686d; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-341" height="300" src="http://joulesevans.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/dvdcover_poster.jpg?w=230&h=300" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(251, 221, 223); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 5px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(251, 221, 223); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 5px; border-right-color: rgb(251, 221, 223); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 5px; border-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(251, 221, 223); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 5px; display: block; font-size: 14px; height: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 10px; max-width: 490px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Baring It All DVD" width="230" /></a></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“Baring It All” follows fashion photographer David Jay, into the worlds of four young breast cancer survivors, exploring their journeys and being photographed for the SCAR Project. “Baring It All” portrays what: “Surviving Cancer. Absolute Reality.” Is <em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">really</em> all about, for them (and for the more than 10,000 young women like them, who are diagnosed each year).</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“Baring It All” uncovers what’s beneath the pink ribbons.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">In the rolling out of the red carpet for Saturday night’s premiere, I interviewed “Baring It All” filmmaker Patricia Zagarella. So without further ado, how about some lights, camera…and action (cue up the first question, enter Patricia Zagarella for the answer parts):</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Q: How did you find out about The SCAR Project?</strong></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></strong>A: David Jay and I have a mutual friend, who was visiting NY from Australia. She randomly bumped into David while on her visit and he told her about the Scar Project. She then sent me a link and my co-producer, Nicola and I, were blown away by the photographs – the beauty and the pain, every image and every woman’s eyes screamed a different story we wanted to learn more.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Q: What inspired you to start filming the documentary?</strong></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A: When I first saw the SCAR Project I was captivated by the raw reality conveyed by his photos. Striking and beautiful, yet confronting and almost brutal, they pushed me to a place I normally contentedly avoided. I was both shocked and saddened, but drawn to the images like a magnet. Despite that the photos spoke volumes, I had a barrage of questions screaming in my head, not only about the young women in the photographs but also about the photographer: Who was he? Why was a successful fashion and beauty photographer photographing young breast cancer survivors? Why did he embark on this journey and what motivates him to continue?</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Fascinated, I reached out to David Jay – who reached back with enthusiasm and warmth. I then met a genuinely kind and caring man, whose world had been turned upside down when confronted by a close friend’s body after a mastectomy. He told me that he dealt with it the only way he knew how, by taking her picture. And the rest is history.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Q: Can you describe the process, and the emotions of filming such painful images? (ones that most breast cancer patients haven’t seen before they have a mastectomy–hopefully The SCAR Project will change that.)</strong></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A: We were an all female team during the photo shoot sessions, our goal was to be unobtrusive and document the event, what we experienced was a palpable transformation taking place before us. Women would come to the door broken and nervous and by the time they left, they had a renewed sense of pride, hope and strength. Every single woman exuded beauty that came from her resolve and attitude, which David captured perfectly.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">It was a very special experience, albeit a tough one, being able to capture this transformation, to be able to share in the anguish, the pain, the tears and the laughter.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Q: What were some of the hi-los of filming this project? What surprised you most about filming “Baring It All”?</strong></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A: Meeting and spending time with these amazing, strong young women has been an incredible high. I have been touched in a profound way by all the women we met, and I’ve learned so much from them – celebrate life and live in the moment. I remind myself of that daily.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The lows have obviously come when confronted with beautiful young girls struggling to beat this horrible disease.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">What surprised me most was the enlightened attitude of such young women and their strength in the face of their mortality.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Q: How did you get into filming?</strong></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A: I started working in TV & film in Australia after graduating from University. My first job was working at a TV station and it just went from there.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Q: What do you consider your particular calling in the film industry to be?</strong></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A: I enjoy producing, finding compelling stories and character, and then finding the right team to execute that story. I really love meeting people and learning about them, and under the pretense of filmmaking I get to ask lots of questions most people are afraid to.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Q: What other film work have you done?</strong></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A: I started working in narrative features, but then about 7 years ago I was presented with the opportunity to co-produce a documentary, and from that point on I was hooked. I loved telling real stories by real people. Who needs a script, real life is far more compelling, heart-warming, and heartbreaking.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Q: The doc was originally titled “Don’t look away”? How did it go from there to “Baring It All?”</strong></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A: The doc was originally titled “Don’t Look Away”, a title Nicola my co-producer came up with. We decided on that title early on because people’s initial reaction at hearing about the subject and photos was to look away. The entire message and point of the project was to remove the stigma and normalize something that so many women undergo but no one ever sees or talks about. We wanted people to look at the photos, look at the women, at the scars, and at their eyes. The name was changed when the Style Network came on board as they felt that “Don’t Look Away” didn’t adequately describe what the film was about. After much back and forth, we settled on “Baring It All” as the new title.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Q: How did the Style Network come on board to air the documentary?</strong></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A: Two great women, Beth and Andrea from Remarkable Content took my trailer to the Style Network about a year before they actually came on board. The VPs at Style thought it was an important story to tell and one that their viewers could connect with, however one-off documentaries were completely out of the realm of their usual programming that it just didn’t work. They came back to me about a year after our initial conversation and the VPs had come up with an over-brand series called Style Exposed, which would include one-off documentaries. “Baring It All” is the first in the Style Exposed series. Hopefully it’s a success for Style and they continue to produce one-off documentaries with heart.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Q: Who/what/where are you going to watch the premiere?!</strong></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A: I will be watching the premiere with David, Joanie, Nicola and my crew at David’s studio on Saturday night.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Q: When/how will the dvds be available?</strong></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A: The DVDs will be available on July 25<sup style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">th</sup> through <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Baring-All-SCAR-Project-documentary/dp/B0058OQ4AI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1309742114&sr=8-1" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #f3686d; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="Baring It All dvd on Amazon">Amazon</a>. The SCAR Project, Volume 1 book is also available on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/SCAR-Project-Breast-Cancer-Ribbon/dp/B004YUKKC0" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #f3686d; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="SCAR Project V1 Book on Amazon">Amazon</a>.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Q: How would you articulate the message you hope people get when they view your doc and the SCAR Project?</strong></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A: I want people to see that there is true beauty in strength and hope in the face of despair. There’s power in optimism and it’s ok to have scars and to look at them and let people see them.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">In line with the SCAR Project message, the goal is to raise awareness and let people know that young women can and do get breast cancer. Early detection is the best prevention, therefore the more people who see the film or the SCAR Project photos the bigger the impact.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Q: How can people follow you, support the amazing things you are doing like this documentary?</strong></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A: People can keep up to date with my work via my website at<a href="http://www.lostinvision.com/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #f3686d; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="lostinvision">www.lostinvision.com</a> or via <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Baring-It-All/225979124080038?sk=info" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #f3686d; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="Baring It All on Facebook">Facebook</a>.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Q: What are you doing next?</strong></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A: I’m developing a project that deals with alternatives to incarceration, with a focus on young women who are at risk, and we hope to help transform their lives before it’s too late.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Q: Not really a question, but I’d just like to thank Patricia for a brilliant interview and also say “go break a leg!” in re: the “Baring It All” premiere this Saturday night. And I’ll just go ahead and say BRAVO! because I know it’s going to, as The SCAR Project intends: Raise public consciousness of early-onset breast cancer, raise funds for breast cancer research/outreach programs and help young survivors see their scars, faces, figures and experiences through a new, honest and ultimately empowering lens. So kudos Patricia. Cheers and kudos.</strong></div><div><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br />
</strong></div><div id="ilikeposts" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></div>The SCAR Project [Cincinnati]http://www.blogger.com/profile/13441435200286958535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515583215288575421.post-62330044760702476812011-06-29T13:48:00.000-07:002011-06-29T13:48:22.453-07:00Blustery Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Posted by Joules Evans</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When Cincinnati <a href="http://www.thescarproject.org/">SCAR Project</a> subject Vanessa Tiemeier was talking about her Blustery Day Design business on Fox 19's June "<a href="http://www.fox19.com/global/video/flash/popupplayer.asp?ClipID1=5966332&h1=Young+woman+survives+breast+cancer&vt1=v&at1=News&d1=430100&LaunchPageAdTag=News&activePane=info&rnd=47305852">Think Pink</a>"segment, you might have found yourself channeling a little Winnie the Pooh and humming along with this classic:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/EFACO4k1920?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>But then again maybe that's just me. Anyway. I don't know if Vanessa and her sisters, Jessica and Christina, were channeling Winnie the Pooh when they began their <a href="http://www.blusterydaydesign.com/">Blustery Day Design</a> business, after Vanessa was diagnosed with breast cancer, but they definitely weren't channeling Eeyore.<br />
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Vanessa did not sitting around sulking, like Eeyore always did whenever Christopher Robin would put his tail back on, saying "No matter. Most likely lose it again anyway."<br />
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Like she told Fox 19's Katie Morgan, "I know for a lot of people, their world just empties out. But for me, I was always: Well, what can I do about it?"<br />
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Vanessa credits her positive outlook and upbeat perspective to the incredible support she receives from her family.<br />
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Not many lifetime marriages are tested on the "in sickness" vows like Billy and Vanessa have been ever since Vanessa was diagnosed with breast cancer nine months after they said "I do." (Happy anniversary to Billy and Vanessa, btw, who celebrated their 5th anniversary last week! Cheers to you both, and to both of your health, and here's to MANY more anniversaries!)<br />
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And then there are Vanessa's sisters, Jessica Yeager and Christina Blust.<br />
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"My sisters mean the world to me. They are my best friends," says Vanessa, the sister in the middle.<br />
<br />
Like bookends, Vanessa's sisters were by her side, supporting her.<br />
<br />
"Besides the obvious actions that were now immediately needed, to learn about her cancer and treatment plan and how we could best support Vanessa in this new, crappy situation..." Jessica explained in a recent interview. "...we also found we all felt like we needed to act, immediately, in another way, too, to make our dream to start a future business together 'real'. <br />
<br />
"I think we were destined to have a business together. Our different strengths and preferences complement each other, and we are best friends who truly love working together. Despite the obvious desire we had to do this, we felt no rush towards action on it, since we were each still finishing our degrees, getting married, buying houses, and enjoying young adulthood. Our business plans seemed like something we’d do 'once we grew up' still, and we meanwhile relished our casual chats as young twenty-somethings talking about this sister business we’d certainly have, one day, and just how great it will be.<br />
<br />
"Until Vanessa was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer at age 25. That just made us rethink our whole timeline.<br />
<div><br />
</div>"Finding out about her cancer was a major wake up call. We realized that waiting for the 'perfect' time to start just resulted in lots of waiting… and we no longer had the luxury of time in which to wait. The time, perfect or not, was now.<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">"While Vanessa had her first chemo treatments, we sat next to her in the visitor chairs and talked through our business plan. We took trips to try on wigs together and then followed that up with visits to paper shops. We’d google 'Adriamycin side effects' and then google 'small business web hosting'. It became a joint project, this cancer and this business. Together they formed a strange partnership of slowing things down and speeding things up, all at once.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">"The company name that we settled on for our business was Blustery Day Design. This is something of a play on our maiden names of 'Blust', but we also saw including a 'blustery day' in our name as a fitting testimony to both the good and the bad parts of life, the ups and the downs, the happy and the sad. We believe all parts, all days, and all moments, are worth celebrating, acknowledging and supporting. Our business is founded in part on a desire to assist people in really being there for each other, in small but meaningful ways, through everything life contains.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">"Once we got 'real', our cancer greeting cards were an obvious first product line for Blustery Day Design to develop. Who better than Vanessa, with her insider perspective, to create authentic and heartfelt cards that said exactly what she wanted to have said to her, exactly what she knew would cheer up someone else who was in just her shoes.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">"When she got overloaded by the many very supportive but very pink cards and gifts, Vanessa came up with the '<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/56498965/no-pink-breast-cancer-note-card">no pink</a>' card. When she felt her most low from treatments and surgeries that left her bald, boobless, and puffy, she created the '<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/59402318/still-beautiful-breast-cancer-note-card">still beautiful</a>' card. As she weathered the storm that is chemo and all its side effects, Vanessa made the '<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/60183763/tangled-mess-cancer-note-card-benefits">chemo brain</a>' card. When we all joked about how many times we just wished there was an actual 'cancer card' you could pull out of your wallet to get special treatment at needed times, our wallet-sized '<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/59565045/pull-the-cancer-card-note-card-and">cancer card</a>' was born.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">"The creation of the different cancer cards is therapeutic for us, but the feedback we hear back from customers who have sent on our cards is truly the most rewarding part. To hear how Vanessa’s insight and experiences have brightened the day of someone else dealing with cancer, or to know our simple and small card let someone know they were loved and supported, gives us such a sense of making a difference in the lives of others in the world wide community – and this is a key part of what our goals are for our business.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">"Currently, when I think of my sisters and our business, I am overwhelmed with a feeling of gratitude and hope. Seems rather odd to feel or say, seeing as Vanessa is now more recently diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer, which means her cancer has spread throughout her body, will never be gone, and she will never be 'cured'. She has cancer as a terminal disease now, and the stats that go along with it are both sobering and horrible. We have sister cry sessions over the fact that cancer has taken from us what we each imagined our futures containing – different paths that still end with the three of us, with our own families, old and wrinkly and getting together for ice cream and marathon gab sessions at the ripe age of 96. Life, it’s clear, is not fair, and the privilege of a limitless future is too often taken for granted.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">"I’d rather go back to the boring, normal life where our business dreams were slow moving and Vanessa didn’t have cancer, any day. But she has cancer, and we had the business in us all along, and now we’re running with them both – and we have resolved to use the business to defy the cancer.</div><br />
"We have already made a difference in the lives of people around the world, and have so many ideas to do even more. We are able to make a real contribution towards stopping this awful thing that is cancer, by choosing a promising local cancer research foundation to donate a portion of our cancer cards’ proceeds to. <br />
<br />
"We have taken something ugly, and found the beauty there still. We love, and live, sincerely. Life is good."<br />
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Not too shabby a mantra.<br />
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Vanessa's younger sister, Christina adds, "I am so grateful, every day, that I get to be part of this with two of my favorite people in the world. Stationery makes sense for us — it's all about reaching out in a meaningful way to the people in each of our lives, creating true communication and strengthening relationships no matter if the circumstance is a joyous event or a tough bit of news."<br />
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"Being able to reach people with our cards has been amazing," Vanessa sums up, harmonizing with the gratitude her sisters have so eloquently articulated. "I am grateful to be able to share my talent in a positive way and spread peace. Receiving feedback from our customers who give our cards to a friend is the best part. It reaffirms that what we are doing is really touching others. And isn't that what our purpose in life is? -- To spread hope?<br />
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"Although I wasn't aware of it at the time, I have come to realize that me creating cancer cards for others to share has been my way of dealing with and expressing myself after my diagnosis. Some people write in a journal, or paint a picture, but for me, it was to use my graphic design talent to outwardly express my thoughts and emotions. And for Christina, it was through her music. She coped by writing songs. She is so gifted with words and melodies, and in way, paints pictures with her songs. I'll never forget the first time I heard '<a href="http://christinablust.bandcamp.com/track/tumor">Tumor</a>' which she wrote after finding out that our Mom had a brain tumor and I had breast cancer all in the same week. She writes eloquently, 'Tumor, you are mistaken: you are actually a small, frenzied moth. I will watch you from the front door. You will kiss the light on my porch, find in its brilliance fatal joy — you will not spread. You will die for love instead.'<br />
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"And in the song '<a href="http://christinablust.bandcamp.com/track/sudden-amaryllis">Sudden Amaryllis</a>' she writes 'Sudden amaryllis! In dead fields reach lilies to the sky, to the sky. Hope is dancing in the sky. (Hope is staring right at you.)'. Christina was stricken with the fact that these flowers survive and thrive in the most barren places...in a gravel lot with otherwise no signs of life, these amaryllis flowers stand tall. I think this is a great analogy to my life now," explains Vanessa. "Although there is all this ugliness an misfortune around me, I keep my head up and live sincerely." <br />
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Live Sincerely. Now those are two words that'll turn "The End" upside down. It's never too early to start.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjueKpjMCZMRw1gQMHwZOfRZ1zFihBvwXWM_emXoVTs8_sMbWlbDzjaYg-C_ESpRI1kgE4x6mdtxvRQMDiD40U_2cMlUzn4gLMGYXdiUfWZiVktwdk7SGO3ACsWZ5dCspIlThhgSEUmys8J/s1600/JVC-kids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjueKpjMCZMRw1gQMHwZOfRZ1zFihBvwXWM_emXoVTs8_sMbWlbDzjaYg-C_ESpRI1kgE4x6mdtxvRQMDiD40U_2cMlUzn4gLMGYXdiUfWZiVktwdk7SGO3ACsWZ5dCspIlThhgSEUmys8J/s320/JVC-kids.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>The SCAR Project [Cincinnati]http://www.blogger.com/profile/13441435200286958535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515583215288575421.post-38502939770885266742011-06-21T01:52:00.000-07:002011-07-11T14:50:33.854-07:00Local SCAR Project Subject "Thinking Pink" with Fox 19, and on the Style Network "Baring It All"Posted by Joules Evans<br />
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Young Cincinnati breast cancer survivor and SCAR Project subject Vanessa Tiemeier was featured on the Fox 19 News "Think Pink" segment this past weekend. (Click <a href="http://www.fox19.com/global/video/flash/popupplayer.asp?ClipID1=5966332&h1=Young+woman+survives+breast+cancer&vt1=v&at1=News&d1=430100&LaunchPageAdTag=News&activePane=info&rnd=47305852">HERE</a> to view.) On July 9th, Vanessa will be one of four young women to be featured in the Style Network's premiere of Patricia Zagarella's SCAR Project documentary: "Baring It All." (Click <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Baring-It-All/225979124080038?sk=info">HERE</a> to stay tuned for more info and the trailer, and of course, please LIKE the Facebook page:) This September 29 - October 2, Vanessa's portrait in which she bared her breast cancer scars, will be one of 30 featured in the Cincinnati premiere of the Pulitzer nominated SCAR Project.<br />
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</div></div><div>When I met Vanessa, she was standing beside her portrait at the New York City debut of The SCAR Project last October.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKVoEw5cxudWRZO_g2QgIyzlCwV5IMQeZaLtywSG4FGmbH46mI1dwU-Qz8ITu75B-tCjIFKahOQ7hyphenhyphenOVH2TdMl5-Ss9hK8j9iSIb9EJrlrbOOqF0lLupEOJlR82f5c49oJnISJuxFHU8lP/s1600/V+exhibit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKVoEw5cxudWRZO_g2QgIyzlCwV5IMQeZaLtywSG4FGmbH46mI1dwU-Qz8ITu75B-tCjIFKahOQ7hyphenhyphenOVH2TdMl5-Ss9hK8j9iSIb9EJrlrbOOqF0lLupEOJlR82f5c49oJnISJuxFHU8lP/s320/V+exhibit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div>She was talking about her experience being photographed for The SCAR Project. I was struck by a number of things about Vanessa. Besides the fact that she was also a breast cancer survivor from Cincinnati who I happened to meet at an art gallery in the Big Apple when I drove there with my chemo sister Shelly to see the opening of an photographic exhibit Vanessa's portrait was featured in...she was ONLY 29 and her hair was so long. This was probably only significant to me, because even now I still don't feel that 45 classifies me as an old breast cancer survivor. (Though technically, I suppose it's true that I am technically old enough to be her Mum. Hmph.) Anyway, the thing about breast cancer is that it doesn't have no R-E-S-P-E-C-T. That's pretty much the message of The SCAR Project, and what Vanessa (my senior in fighting breast cancer) was basically saying: Breast Cancer does not play by the rules. If you thought only old women like me get breast cancer, think again. Young women get it too. This. Is. Wrong.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Which is why a shy girl like Vanessa would be willing to bare it all, her breast cancer SCARs, exposing them for what they really are: (Surviving Cancer. Absolute Reality.)</div><div><br />
</div><div>I could tell how shy she was the way she kept attempting to defer to her portrait, pointing our eyes onto it, when we were looking at her. She had something to say about her absolute reality of surviving breast cancer, but she wanted her portrait to speak. "That's why I decided to do be photographed for The SCAR Project," she told me. "I don't communicate verbally as much as I do visually. It was a way to talk about it without talking about it. I know it's cliche about a picture being worth 1000 words, but that was my idea behind it." I could tell how proud she was of her portrait, and to be part of The SCAR Project, because it was bigger than herself with its message of breast cancer awareness for young women, like herself. I noticed this in all the young breast cancer survivor SCAR Project "models" I met that night. Each of them had bared it all, exposing beauty in spite of SCARs, and courage in the face of breast cancer, not to mention, a society where some women are sick of pink and every man's a breast man.</div><div><br />
</div><div>This humility was probably one of the things that struck me most about Vanessa. It was not in her plans to become a face for young women with breast cancer. Her plans were simply to get married and have a big family. She fell in love and got married at 24. Nine months later...instead of the baby carriage part that was supposed to come next...she had the cancer part to deal with. Then when she was re-diagnosed three years later, before she was finished with treatment and given the go ahead to try and try to fill that baby carriage, she was faced with the absolute reality of a hysterectomy and not having children. "That was the most difficult part to swallow," said Vanessa.</div><div><br />
</div><div>"I don't really make plans anymore," she continued, when I asked her what her plans were now. "I've learned plans are crap and to cherish the moment. This moment. I try do this day by day and spend time with the people that mean the most. Try to be the best aunt, wife, sister, daughter I can be. Yeah," she finishes up with a happy sigh, obviously savoring the moment of thinking about each of those roles and the ones she loves.</div><div><br />
</div><div>This again strikes me. Note she didn't say anything about her unassuming role in being one of the faces of young women facing breast cancer. Obviously, that wasn't in her plans. But there she is, beautifully embodying it, embracing each moment. </div><div><br />
</div><div>It's like blooming.</div><div><br />
</div><div>It's like turning the tables on cancer. Which reminds me of <a href="http://christinablust.bandcamp.com/track/tumor">this song</a>, by Vanessa's sister Christina Blust. Tumor you are so freaking mistaken.</div>The SCAR Project [Cincinnati]http://www.blogger.com/profile/13441435200286958535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515583215288575421.post-24681108386536331922011-05-28T19:39:00.000-07:002011-07-11T14:51:46.242-07:00Tennis Anyone?<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; font: normal normal normal 13px/19px Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.6em; padding-left: 0.6em; padding-right: 0.6em; padding-top: 0.6em;">Posted by Joules Evans<br />
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If your a tennis fan like me, and anywhere in my vicinity, I'd like to invite you to a Memorial Day tennis bash some of my friends are throwing.<br />
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The Windwood Tennis Committee is hosting a Memorial Day Fundraiser this Monday, May 30th, 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM at the Windwood Swim and Tennis Club, 6649 North Windwood Drive, West Chester. Bring a breakfast item and a donation. We will provide balls, beverages and lots of fun. This event is open to men and women, and all levels of play are welcome.<br />
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The proceeds from this year's fundraiser will go to bringing The SCAR Project to Cincinnati. The Pulitzer nominated SCAR project is a series of large-scale portraits of young women with breast cancer shot by fashion photographer David Jay.<br />
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The SCAR Project mission is three-fold: Raise public consciousness of early onset breast cancer, raise funds for breast cancer research/outreach programs, and help young survivors see their scars, faces, figures and experiences through a new, honest and ultimately empowering lens.<br />
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The Cincinnati Exhibition of The SCAR Project will be September 29-October 2. The SCAR Project Cincinnati exhibit will be a benefit, in part, for the Pink Ribbon Girls.</div>The SCAR Project [Cincinnati]http://www.blogger.com/profile/13441435200286958535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515583215288575421.post-50569004932951366032011-05-28T18:31:00.000-07:002011-07-11T14:53:31.287-07:00SCAR Project Cincy - The Cocktail Party Fundraiser ReportPosted By Joules Evans<br />
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<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; font: normal normal normal 13px/19px Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.6em; padding-left: 0.6em; padding-right: 0.6em; padding-top: 0.6em;"><div class="mceTemp mceIEcenter" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<dl class="wp-caption aligncenter" data-mce-style="width: 310px;" id="attachment_287" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; display: block; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 10px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center; width: 310px;"><dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a data-mce-href="http://joulesevans.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/241515_10150205191923329_760243328_6609171_1442620_o.jpg" href="http://joulesevans.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/241515_10150205191923329_760243328_6609171_1442620_o.jpg"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-287 " data-mce-src="http://joulesevans.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/241515_10150205191923329_760243328_6609171_1442620_o.jpg?w=300" height="225" src="http://joulesevans.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/241515_10150205191923329_760243328_6609171_1442620_o.jpg?w=300" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="SCAR Cincy Exhibit Planning Committee" width="300" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;">The SCAR Project Cincy Exhibit Planning Committee, from left to right: Shelly Emrick, Litsa Spanos, Vanessa Tiemeier, Joules Evans</dd></dl></div>Thanks to everyone who turned out for our SCAR Project Cincy Cocktail Party Fundraiser event on May 20th. It was a beautiful evening and a fantastic kick-off event toward bringing The SCAR Project to Cincinnati this fall. We believe it will be one of the most beautiful meaningful art exhibits to grace the Queen City.<br />
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For those who are new to this blog, <a data-mce-href="http://www.thescarproject.org/" href="http://www.thescarproject.org/" target="_blank" title="The SCAR Project">The SCAR Project</a> is a series of large-scale portraits of young breast cancer survivors shot by fashion photographer David Jay. Primarily an awareness raising campaign, The SCAR Project puts a raw, unflinching face on early onset breast cancer while paying tribute to the courage and spirit of so many brave young women. Like Vanessa, local subject of The SCAR Project and part of our Cincinnati planning committee. Vanessa was first diagnosed when she was only 25 years old. She's actually been photographed for The SCAR Project twice. Once at 25, after her initial diagnosis, and sadly a second time when her breast cancer metastasized three years later.<br />
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Vanessa and I met at the New York City premiere of The SCAR Project exhibit last October. I was standing next to her standing next to her picture when we realized we were both breast cancer survivors from Cincinnati. We've been working together to bring the exhibit to Cincinnati ever since. Thank you Vanessa, for your strength and vulnerability to show what the SCAR Project is all about: Surviving Cancer. Absolute Reality. You are beautiful.<br />
<div class="mceTemp mceIEcenter" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<dl class="wp-caption aligncenter" data-mce-style="width: 310px;" id="attachment_293" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; display: block; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 10px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center; width: 310px;"><dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a data-mce-href="http://joulesevans.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/242217_10150205190168329_760243328_6609143_6840046_o.jpg" href="http://joulesevans.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/242217_10150205190168329_760243328_6609143_6840046_o.jpg"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-293" data-mce-src="http://joulesevans.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/242217_10150205190168329_760243328_6609143_6840046_o.jpg?w=300" height="225" src="http://joulesevans.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/242217_10150205190168329_760243328_6609143_6840046_o.jpg?w=300" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Vanessa at Cocktail Party Fundraiser" width="300" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;">Vanessa speaking at the Cocktail Party Fundraiser about being photographed for The SCAR Project</dd></dl></div>Thanks also to Litsa Spanos of <a data-mce-href="http://adcfineart.com/" href="http://adcfineart.com/" target="_blank" title="Art Design Consultants">Art Design Consultants</a> for being such a gracious hostess for the cocktail party fundraiser and The SCAR Project Cincinnati Exhibit. Thanks to <a data-mce-href="http://www.elegantfare.com/" href="http://www.elegantfare.com/" target="_blank" title="Elegant Fare">Elegant Fare</a> for their generous donation of appetizers for the fundraiser. We are so lucky they have so generously donated their catering services for The SCAR Project Cincinnati Exhibit. And thanks to the <a data-mce-href="http://www.myspace.com/thekickedinfence" href="http://www.myspace.com/thekickedinfence" target="_blank" title="Kicked-In Fence">Kicked-In Fence</a> for providing live music for the evening. Especially <a data-mce-href="http://web.me.com/joulesevans/Joules_Evans/Theme_Song.html" href="http://web.me.com/joulesevans/Joules_Evans/Theme_Song.html" target="_blank" title="Cancer is a Bitch">this song</a> (which, obviously means a lot to me, since my kids are in the band and they wrote "Cancer is a Bitch" for my last chemo cocktail).<br />
<div class="mceTemp mceIEcenter" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<dl class="wp-caption aligncenter" data-mce-style="width: 310px;" id="attachment_292" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; display: block; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 10px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center; width: 310px;"><dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a data-mce-href="http://joulesevans.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/241071_10150205184318329_760243328_6609056_3262205_o.jpg" href="http://joulesevans.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/241071_10150205184318329_760243328_6609056_3262205_o.jpg"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-292" data-mce-src="http://joulesevans.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/241071_10150205184318329_760243328_6609056_3262205_o.jpg?w=300" height="225" src="http://joulesevans.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/241071_10150205184318329_760243328_6609056_3262205_o.jpg?w=300" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="The Kicked-In Fence" width="300" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;">The Kicked-In Fence</dd></dl></div>The Cincinnati premiere of the international, Pulitzer nominated, photographic exhibit will be September 29 - October 2. The exhibit will fall on the heels of the September 24th <a data-mce-href="http://www.komencincinnati.org/site/TR/Race/General/1397220263?pg=team&fr_id=1050&team_id=15651" href="http://www.komencincinnati.org/site/TR/Race/General/1397220263?pg=team&fr_id=1050&team_id=15651" target="_blank" title="Team Shaken Not Stirred">Cincinnati Race for the Cure</a> and on the cusp of the October 9th American Cancer Society's <a data-mce-href="http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?fr_id=35969&pg=entry" href="http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?fr_id=35969&pg=entry" target="_blank" title="Making Strides Against Breast Cancer">Making Strides Against Breast Cancer</a>. (I plan on participating in both events and will have a Team Shaken Not Stirred registered in both in case anyone would like to join me.)<br />
<br />
The SCAR Project Cincy Exhibit Planning Committee is excited to announce that we have recently designated a local breast cancer organization, <a data-mce-href="http://www.pinkribbongirls.org/" href="http://www.pinkribbongirls.org/" target="_blank" title="Pink Ribbon Girls">Pink Ribbon Girls</a>, to be a primary beneficiary of proceeds from the event. We're also really happy to work with Pink Ribbon Girls to bring this event to Cincinnati, which will in turn raise awareness for the Pink Ribbon Girls and all they do to support Cincinnati breast cancer survivors. And by do, I mean to say, <i>have done</i> for the past 10 years, as Pink Ribbon Girls are fast approaching the double digits in years of reaching out to local breast cancer survivors. Happy birthday, Pink Ribbon Girls. And thank you for everything you do.</div>The SCAR Project [Cincinnati]http://www.blogger.com/profile/13441435200286958535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515583215288575421.post-40622506518304513442011-05-16T11:27:00.000-07:002011-07-11T14:54:09.199-07:00More Notes About the Cocktail Party<b> </b><span class="text_exposed_show"><b>>> Please Join Us! <<</b><br />
<br />
The SCAR Project Open House Cocktail Fundraiser<br />
May 20, 2011 5:30 - 8:30 pm<br />
Art Design Consultants Gallery<br />
310 Culvert Street, 5th Floor, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202<br />
<br />
RSVP to: Joules Evans at 513-265-4063 or<br />
thescarprojectcincy [at] gmail.com </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>>> Cocktail Party Notes <<</b><br />
<br />
• 5:30 - 8:30 <i>(but stop in for as long or as little as you like!)</i><br />
• free admission<br />
• Vanessa will speak at 6:00, 7:00 & 8:00<br />
• the planning committee will be there all night to mingle<br />
• several SCAR Project books will be available to browse<br />
• slideshows of SCAR Project photos will be running<br />
• dress is informal/business casual <i>(come as you are!)</i><br />
• there will be light appetizers and wine<br />
• you can make a donation <i>(credit card or check)</i><br />
• you can contribute money for a remembrance luminary<br />
• you can sign up to volunteer<br />
• there is construction going at the gallery building <i>(but the gallery space is amazingly beautiful and worth the ride up the freight elevator!)</i><br />
<br />
<a href="http://thescarprojectcincy.blogspot.com/2011/05/come-join-us-for-open-house-cocktail.html">View Post of the invitation to the Cocktail Party for more information</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=115200525231073">View the Facebook Event </a>The SCAR Project [Cincinnati]http://www.blogger.com/profile/13441435200286958535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515583215288575421.post-7350269873829525882011-05-14T13:35:00.000-07:002011-07-11T14:54:53.808-07:00Come Join Us for an Open House / Cocktail Party!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQOjmXCaao3ENtxCM5oE5dBBFxNwKmO4aYMz2qX7Nz8cB7fbG8u25xurzRPdRNc9u_7pdD7SxXwYMRTZ_mcLvZNVQAFDA0kHZXkYDbC7OrNQiJ8kV-htYGhxhwtZJTF4n3lUuI0jMkgZAR/s1600/open-house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQOjmXCaao3ENtxCM5oE5dBBFxNwKmO4aYMz2qX7Nz8cB7fbG8u25xurzRPdRNc9u_7pdD7SxXwYMRTZ_mcLvZNVQAFDA0kHZXkYDbC7OrNQiJ8kV-htYGhxhwtZJTF4n3lUuI0jMkgZAR/s1600/open-house.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>We need your help to bring this <br />
Pulitzer Prize nominated exhibit to Cincinnati!</b></i></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><br />
You are invited to get an exclusive first look at<br />
The SCAR Project book, meet a local young woman who</div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">was photographed, enjoy wine & light<br />
appetizers, and learn all about this amazing project.</div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><u> The SCAR Project Open House Cocktail Fundraiser</u><br />
May 20, 2011 5:30 - 8:30 pm<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2qmzHwwN_HE0jpF8Urm3I8pbwuIDm2AdHrvR_tWXBwju0rjSrVgPzUuhSL2lFLX6AXQ2tqVADs45mQSJ9GG0q-4K_9Q4YyNMRvr-Aw4tv7yMLM4uq9FeSCOBouYS_o0mhWo3Xa5o4Kby_/s1600/panoramic_gallery_new.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="73" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2qmzHwwN_HE0jpF8Urm3I8pbwuIDm2AdHrvR_tWXBwju0rjSrVgPzUuhSL2lFLX6AXQ2tqVADs45mQSJ9GG0q-4K_9Q4YyNMRvr-Aw4tv7yMLM4uq9FeSCOBouYS_o0mhWo3Xa5o4Kby_/s200/panoramic_gallery_new.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Art Design Consultants Gallery<br />
310 Culvert Street, 5th Floor, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 (<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=310+Culvert+Street,+5th+Floor,+Cincinnati,+Ohio+45202&aq=&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=34.587666,78.837891&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=310+Culvert+St,+Cincinnati,+Ohio+45202&z=16">Map</a>)<br />
<br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Please Join Us!<br />
RSVP to:</b></i></span><br />
<br />
Joules Evans at 513-265-4063 or<br />
thescarprojectcincy [at] gmail.com </div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><br />
<i><b>Are you unable to attend the</b></i></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><i><b> Open House & Cocktail Party but still want<br />
to make a donation or contribute in any way?</b></i><br />
<br />
Please contact us for more information,</div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">or visit<a href="http://thescarprojectcincy.blogspot.com/p/make-donation.html"> The SCAR Project Online Donation Form</a><br />
or the<a href="http://thescarprojectcincy.blogspot.com/p/volunteer-sign-up.html"> The SCAR Project Volunteer Sign-Up</a><b> </b><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>>> Contact Us! <<</b><i> </i><br />
<br />
<i>Email:</i> thescarprojectcincy [at] gmail.com<a href="mailto:thescarprojectcincy@gmail.com"></a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><i>Phone:</i> 513-265-4063 (Joules Evans)<b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>>> Follow & Support Us! <<</b></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><br />
<i>Website:</i> <a href="http://www.thescarproject.org/">www.thescarproject.org</a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"> <i>Facebook:</i> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-SCAR-Project/255064983743">The SCAR Project</a> </div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><i>Twitter:</i> <a href="http://twitter.com/scarprojecttour">scarprojecttour</a></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><i>Make a Donation to “The SCAR Project”:</i></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">at any <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=us+bank+Cincinnati,+Ohio&aq=&sll=39.102188,-84.501407&sspn=0.008276,0.019248&g=310+Culvert+Street,+5th+Floor,+Cincinnati,+Ohio+45202&ie=UTF8&hq=us+bank&hnear=Cincinnati,+Hamilton,+Ohio&ll=39.122736,-84.515247&spn=0.062858,0.15398&z=13">local US Bank</a> or <a href="http://thescarprojectcincy.blogspot.com/p/make-donation.html">donate online</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUdn3MXqtfzE53fhs6ebIvqudo124qhGbncUFIDxqlVpiEKB3wGpctcUaYbMjvf9wYYFtmHxH4pSrOV32R9jIqVsrl2_r5okZcrQtnNDLJpoq99zkmFnR4Li9coQgxLfwUQfFVcx2Qlsch/s1600/david.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUdn3MXqtfzE53fhs6ebIvqudo124qhGbncUFIDxqlVpiEKB3wGpctcUaYbMjvf9wYYFtmHxH4pSrOV32R9jIqVsrl2_r5okZcrQtnNDLJpoq99zkmFnR4Li9coQgxLfwUQfFVcx2Qlsch/s200/david.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">The SCAR Project is a series of large-scale portraits of young breast cancer survivors shot by fashion photographer David Jay. Dedicated to the more than 10,000 women under the age of 40 who will be diagnosed this year alone The SCAR Project is an exercise in awareness, hope, reflection and healing. The mission is three-fold: Raise public consciousness of early-onset breast cancer, raise funds for breast cancer research/outreach programs and help young survivors see their scars, faces, figures and experiences through a new, honest and ultimately empowering lens. </span></i></div></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>The SCAR Project [Cincinnati]http://www.blogger.com/profile/13441435200286958535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515583215288575421.post-44472694263247859292011-05-10T22:45:00.000-07:002011-07-11T14:56:49.810-07:00PRESS RELEASE: Pulitzer Nominated SCAR Project Exhibit Will Make Cincinnati Debut In October<div style="font-family: inherit;"><style>
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</style> </div><div class="MsoSubtitle" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt;">The SCAR Project Cincinnati Planning Committee to host open house cocktail party fundraiser to finance the exhibition, which will benefit a local cancer center and breast cancer research.</span></i></span></div><div class="MsoSubtitle" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 0in;"><style>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><b>Photography by David Jay</b></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thescarproject.org/"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><b>www.thescarproject.org</b></span></i></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><b>Cincinnati, OH May 11, 2011:</b> The SCAR Project Cincinnati Exhibit Planning Committee would like to extend an invitation to an open house cocktail party fundraiser and SCAR Project informational meeting, to area breast cancer doctors, organizations, survivors, caregivers, and others interested in helping bring this important, Pulitzer nominated exhibit to Cincinnati. The SCAR Project is a series of large-scale portraits of young women with breast cancer shot by fashion photographer David Jay. It puts a raw, unflinching face on early onset breast cancer while paying tribute to the courage and spirit of so many brave young women. The fundraiser event will be Friday, May 20, 2011, from 5:30-8:30 pm at Art Design Consultants at 310 Culvert St. 5th Fl. Cincinnati, OH 45202. Cincinnati survivor/model Vanessa Tiemeier will speak about her experience being photographed for The SCAR Project.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG6qk8gGLbG5w2fJRQSFPenI4ZoVlcPKAbf39Wb79Aapwj_wDQElkj03tvG7R8c-MJUIm28QhRk4N_6RKWFRKzR3DboxcPUHkP4zXnxWreVDnSvuzMEH8PrIDv2jTPeWE-KPwC3uct4fpc/s1600/Vanessa-pic-cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG6qk8gGLbG5w2fJRQSFPenI4ZoVlcPKAbf39Wb79Aapwj_wDQElkj03tvG7R8c-MJUIm28QhRk4N_6RKWFRKzR3DboxcPUHkP4zXnxWreVDnSvuzMEH8PrIDv2jTPeWE-KPwC3uct4fpc/s320/Vanessa-pic-cropped.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">"I think sometimes I am so good at<br />
putting on a pretty face and acting all<br />
put-together that some people don't<br />
realize the extent of everything that<br />
breast cancer survivors go through.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">My outward scars and spoken words</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">are only half the story."</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">-Vanessa Tiemeier, Cincinnati Survivor</span></span></span><br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">The SCAR Project subjects range from ages 18 to 35 and represent the, often overlooked, group of young women living with breast cancer. (Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in young women ages 15-40). They journey from across America and the world to be photographed for The SCAR Project. More than 100 women have been photographed so far.</span></div><div align="left" class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-left: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: 0in;"><style>
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</div><div align="left" class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-left: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Vanessa and her husband took a Greyhound bus from Cincinnati to New York City to be part of The SCAR Project. Besides having her picture selected as one of the 30 in the exhibit, she is on the SCAR Project Cincinnati Exhibit planning committee, with fellow survivors Shelly Emrick and Joules Evans, and Art Design Consultants owner Litsa Spanos, who has graciously donated her space, time, and energy to host the event.</span></div><div align="left" class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-left: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-left: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">“I love what this show will do for our city,” said Spanos. “It will increase awareness and portray strong beautiful women. There is also the true artistic power of it as well. I believe all viewers will have the same reaction that I had when I first saw the images. I was shocked, then moved, then wanted to learn even more. It’s incredibly meaningful. Also, because of the large and dramatic size and scale of the exhibit, along with the natural light and high ceilings of the gallery, it’s a perfect fit.” </span></div><div align="left" class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-left: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-left: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">The SCAR Project Cincinnati exhibit will debut on the heels of the Cincinnati Race for the Cure, on the cusp of breast cancer awareness month, and the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event. The opening night gala event will be a ticketed event and will benefit a local cancer center and breast cancer research. The exhibit will be open for public viewing throughout the weekend of Sept. 30 – Oct. 2 with general admission pricing and times TBA. There will also be</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> private gallery tours with photographer David Jay, dates and times TBA. Tickets and info will be made available on the Scar Project Cincinnati blog at <a href="http://www.thescarprojectcincy.blogspot.com/">www.thescarprojectcincy.blogspot.com</a>.</span> </div><div align="left" class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-left: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-left: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">David Jay has been shooting fashion and beauty professionally for over 15 years. His images have appeared in a multitude of international magazines and advertising campaigns. Like so many others personally touched by the disease, Jay was inspired to act when a dear friend was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 32. Like the subjects themselves, Jay’s stark, bold portraits challenge traditional perceptions of the disease and capture the raw beauty, strength and character of so many extraordinary young women. Each portrait represents a singular, stripped-down vision of the life-changing journey that unites them all. </span></div><div align="left" class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-left: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-left: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Dedicated to the more than 10,000 women under the age of 40 who will be diagnosed this year alone, The SCAR Project is an exercise in awareness, hope, reflection and healing. The mission is three-fold: Raise public consciousness of early-onset breast cancer, raise funds for breast cancer research/outreach programs and help young survivors see their scars, faces, figures and experiences through a new, honest and ultimately empowering lens.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><b>Contact: Joules Evans</b> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> SCAR Project Cincinnati Exhibit Promoter</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Planning Committee Lead</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">joules@joulesevans.com</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Phone 513-265-4063</span><br />
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<br />
</div>The SCAR Project [Cincinnati]http://www.blogger.com/profile/13441435200286958535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515583215288575421.post-21630309577388916692011-05-05T12:24:00.000-07:002011-07-11T14:57:51.303-07:00Introducing SCAR Project SuperSURVIVORmodel Vanessa Tiemeier<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Vanessa was diagnosed when she was only 25 years old. Yes, young women get breast cancer. That’s a point The SCAR Project is out to make. The stats are out there for anyone to clearly see, but everyone knows a picture is worth a 1000 words.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: Georgia,Times,serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKVoEw5cxudWRZO_g2QgIyzlCwV5IMQeZaLtywSG4FGmbH46mI1dwU-Qz8ITu75B-tCjIFKahOQ7hyphenhyphenOVH2TdMl5-Ss9hK8j9iSIb9EJrlrbOOqF0lLupEOJlR82f5c49oJnISJuxFHU8lP/s1600/V+exhibit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKVoEw5cxudWRZO_g2QgIyzlCwV5IMQeZaLtywSG4FGmbH46mI1dwU-Qz8ITu75B-tCjIFKahOQ7hyphenhyphenOVH2TdMl5-Ss9hK8j9iSIb9EJrlrbOOqF0lLupEOJlR82f5c49oJnISJuxFHU8lP/s320/V+exhibit.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Vanessa Tiemeier with husband Billy<br />
at The SCAR Project exhibition opening night.<br />
October 2010, NYC.</span></td></tr>
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</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Dedicated to the more than 10,000 women under the age of 40 who will be diagnosed this year alone The SCAR Project is an exercise in awareness, hope, reflection and healing. The mission is three-fold: Raise public consciousness of early-onset breast cancer, raise funds for breast cancer research/outreach programs and help young survivors see their scars, faces, figures and experiences through a new, honest and ultimately empowering lens.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: Georgia,Times,serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE2HF-Wb1-ZG0XkbPLf-omqaKnY2hW7SEnQ8lbw6cqZrQAZ9z87ockNU6xJYb6vH9nPZlwGy31Nz9TQ8dsYAcYZuaa6hfePqT9-g5PL_YG3WHH5Zo6Kil4fWIcGyfbLF2ovS4lb1-PgoYX/s1600/Vanessa-pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE2HF-Wb1-ZG0XkbPLf-omqaKnY2hW7SEnQ8lbw6cqZrQAZ9z87ockNU6xJYb6vH9nPZlwGy31Nz9TQ8dsYAcYZuaa6hfePqT9-g5PL_YG3WHH5Zo6Kil4fWIcGyfbLF2ovS4lb1-PgoYX/s320/Vanessa-pic.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">"I think sometimes I am so good at<br />
putting on a pretty face and acting all<br />
put-together that some people don't<br />
realize the extent of everything that<br />
breast cancer survivors go through."</span></span></td></tr>
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>I heard about The SCAR Project through a post made on the Young Survival Coalition online survivor forums. David Jay put a call out for breast cancer survivors willing to travel to NYC to be photographed. I was intrigued but hesitant. I kept wondering if I would really want to or be able to show my scars to strangers, and expose myself like that. But after I emailed another young woman who had already participated and she urged me to go for it, I was excited to make the trek!</i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i></i></span></span></span><br />
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>I took a 16-hour Greyhound bus ride from Cincinnati to New York City with my husband and younger sister. I was nervous meeting David in a city I had never been. My husband and family shared my nervousness, but supported my decision to want to take part in the project. My motive being that I don’t want to be part of the mold that breast cancer survivors have been confined to. It’s not always pink ribbons and charity runs. Breast cancer oftentimes is glamorized and commercialized.</i></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>I think sometimes I am so good at putting on a pretty face and acting all put-together, that some people don’t realize the extent of everything that breast cancer survivors go through. My outward scars and spoken words are only half of the story. They don’t show the emotional and private struggles that are continuously present. They don’t show the burden that my family has willingly endured. They don’t show the lifestyle changes and limitations that come with breast cancer.</i></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>David Jay embraces the everyday, personal, true happenings of life, and through his photographs, beautifully portrays every woman’s unique situation. As part of The SCAR Project, I can “just be me”. No covering up or masking the truth. No pretending that everything is fine.</i></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>I am so glad I had the opportunity to be a part of this project, and am honored that my photo is one of the ones selected to be in the exhibition. I am excited to represent Cincinnati when the exhibition comes here on September 29th, and look forward to sharing this ground-breaking exhibit with my home-town. After all, breast cancer is a part of my life but it does not define me. It will never be ALL that I am or ALL that I do. I can’t wait for my friends, my co-workers, my community, and the world to see me…as I really am.</i></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>—Vanessa Tiemeier, in her own words.</i></span></div>The SCAR Project [Cincinnati]http://www.blogger.com/profile/13441435200286958535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515583215288575421.post-73698067667959125892011-05-05T12:10:00.000-07:002011-07-11T14:59:02.107-07:00The SCAR Project is coming to Cincinnati!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: Georgia,Times,serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"></span><br />
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The Pulitzer nominated SCAR Project Exhibit is coming to Cincinnati September 29-October 2. The SCAR Project is a series of large-scale portraits of young breast cancer survivors shot by fashion photographer David Jay. The SCAR Project premiered in New York City last October. Cincinnati will be the first city outside the Big Apple to host the collection, which puts a raw, unflinching face on the young women—underneath the pink ribbon.</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">[Cincinnati Exhibition]</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The SCAR Project</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Surviving Cancer. Absolute Reality.</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG6qk8gGLbG5w2fJRQSFPenI4ZoVlcPKAbf39Wb79Aapwj_wDQElkj03tvG7R8c-MJUIm28QhRk4N_6RKWFRKzR3DboxcPUHkP4zXnxWreVDnSvuzMEH8PrIDv2jTPeWE-KPwC3uct4fpc/s1600/Vanessa-pic-cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG6qk8gGLbG5w2fJRQSFPenI4ZoVlcPKAbf39Wb79Aapwj_wDQElkj03tvG7R8c-MJUIm28QhRk4N_6RKWFRKzR3DboxcPUHkP4zXnxWreVDnSvuzMEH8PrIDv2jTPeWE-KPwC3uct4fpc/s200/Vanessa-pic-cropped.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Breast Cancer Is Not a Pink Ribbon</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Photography by David Jay</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">www.thescarproject.org</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Pictured above is local breast cancer survivor/SCAR model Vanessa Tiemeier. The SCAR Project Cincy is dedicated to her, and to the more than 10,000 women under the age of 40 who will be diagnosed this year. Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in young women ages 15-40.</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The SCAR Project subjects range from ages 18 to 35 and represent the often overlooked group of young women living with breast cancer. They journeyed from across America and the world to be photographed for The SCAR Project.</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The SCAR Project mission is three-fold: Raise public consciousness of early-onset breast cancer, raise funds for breast cancer research/outreach programs and help young survivors see their scars, faces, figures and experiences through a new, honest and ultimately empowering.</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">This is why we are so passionate about bringing The SCAR Project to Cincinnati, where we have a ridiculous high incidence of breast cancer.</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Let’s do something about that.</span></div><ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 30px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; list-style-type: circle; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Visit <a href="http://www.thescarproject.org/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="The Scar Project"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">The Scar Project</span></a> web site.</span></li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; list-style-type: circle; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Like <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-SCAR-Project/255064983743" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="The SCAR Project"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">The Scar Project</span></a> on Facebook.</span></li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; list-style-type: circle; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Follow the Cincinnati Exhibit of The <a href="http://twitter.com/scarprojecttour" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">Scar Project Tour</span></a> on Twitter.</span></li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; list-style-type: circle; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Email the Scar Project Cincinnati Committee at thescarprojectcincy@gmail.com.</span></li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; list-style-type: circle; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Make a donation to The Scar Project at any US Bank.</span></li>
</ul><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Litsa Spanos, of <a href="http://adcfineart.com/about/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">Art Design Consultants</span></a>, will graciously host the Cincinnati Exhibition of The SCAR Project, brought to you by the Cincinnati Committee: Joules Evans, SCAR model Vanessa Tiemeier, Shelly Emrick, and Litsa Spanos. The exhibit will run September 29-October 2, 2011. Stay tuned for details and ticket information.</span></div>The SCAR Project [Cincinnati]http://www.blogger.com/profile/13441435200286958535noreply@blogger.com0