Words from Janet herself.... | Tuesday, October 23, 2012
I couldn't find another way to tell Janet's story, so here are her words about Oldham and why she chose to participate in our "Be Bold, Feel Beautiful" program. The kind of cancer she fights doesn't matter, as these concerns belong to all the women undergoing treatment for any type of cancer and have lost their hair, eyebrows and lashes and perhaps, even body parts. Listen to Janet's words....
"I had a great time. The girls that did my make-up were very nice and the photo shoot with you was wonderful, it was all such a great time, it was nice to take a break from the cancer worries. I was told about this project one day while i was at the hospital having chemo, when presented with the flyer my thought was ya right i don't think this is for me all the women on this flyer are all beautiful. I did not feel that way at all so i just put the flyer in my chemo folder were i put all my blood work, chemo orders dr. appt. info ect. there it sat for weeks always looking at me whenever i opened the folder, which was 1-2 times a wk since chemo is every week. It wasn't till i lost a friend to breast cancer that i saw how important these pics can be, for you see she had her pics. taken when the be bold, feelbeautiful was launched and seeing the pics of her that the family had put on display at her celebration of life party made me think that i should call you. My friend's family was very proud of her pictures and seeing how happy andbeautiful she was in the pictures made me want the same for my family.
I no that i am not the only one to have these thoughts of not feeling "pretty" so i wanted to just let others know that its ok to make that call to schedule their make me feel pretty day, as i like to call it. It is so hard to think of yourself as pretty when you do not have any eyebrows, eyelashes or hair and when people look at you with that look everywhere you go. The Oldham Project made me feel pretty, and even though the process was a couple of hours it had brought sunshine to what has seemed like decades of cloudy days.
I do not know if you remember or not but when i finally got up the courage to call you to schedule an appt. you did not answer i just got your message, and that was prob. because i called on the weekend, but i did not leave a message, i wimped out. You called me back because you saw my number on the caller id and for that i just wanted to say thank you, thank you for taking the extra time to call me back when you had no idea who i was. Thank you for all you do to make all of us baldies feel pretty.
Thank you again",
Janet Hines
If you or someone you know is considering the Oldham Experience, please consider this....They might not be ready for photography yet if this is a relatively new diagnosis for them. They sometimes need to hear about this a couple times and have time to consider and then finally, if you've been through this "Oldham Experience", please share all the positives with those around you at chemo, the doctors office and family and friends. You will never know what a positive impact that has on you and those you share with!
Labels: #bebold, bald woman, bald women, Be Bold Feel Beautiful, cancer in women, ovarian cancer, Terri Shaver, The Oldham Project
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They've become our friends... | Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Colleen is in a battle again....
The most difficult part of this job is seeing 'repeat' clients.... meaning, that they've been photographed in the midst of their illness previously, had a recovery and are now in the middle of a battle with cancer, AGAIN. It's the most difficult phone call to receive as a photographer. But, a warrior she is!!
Ovarian cancer is a silent devil, preying on women who are totally unaware of the destruction inside their bodies. In 2012, about 22,280 women will receive a new diagnosis of ovarian cancer and about 15, 500 will die from it. Colleen was originally diagnosed in November of 2009 and has been cancer free till this spring, when it reared it ugly head again. "I knew something wasn't right... and I've lived in fear, waiting for it to come back." Colleen isn't letting this get the better of her... she's the most positive, courageous woman and she'll fight and win this again. She's got a good reason. This past year, she welcomed her first grandson, Hudson and he's the light of her world!
Labels: #bebold, bald woman, bald women, Be Bold Feel Beautiful, cancer in women, Non-profit, ovarian cancer, Terri Shaver, The Oldham Project
Exciting News for Oldham | Tuesday, August 28, 2012
We've had a banner week this week at Oldham! First, we had a small article appearing within the 'fall' issue of Midwest Living magazine!
The Oldham Project excitedly announces a new 'partnership' of sorts with McLaren Health Systems! McLaren has graciously offered Oldham an office suite at their South Pennsylvania campus! We hope to be moving in sometime around the beginning of September! We are in need of some financial partners to help us get our first official office, up and running. If you believe in what we're doing or have personally been affected by what we provide for the community and would love to see Oldham move into this next stage of growth, perhaps you'll consider joining us financially to help make this a reality. If you have the resources, or know a business or a vendor who might be willing to finance any of the following, please let us know. We'd love to talk to you more about other needs, but these are the minimum we need to open the doors and get moving! Donations can be made online at our website: www.theoldhamproject.org Please specify in the memo/comments line what the money is designated for.
We each have someone in our circle of friends, business owners or vendors who might be willing to come alongside of Oldham and either purchase some of these things for us or donate the money necessary for us to purchase and becoming a 'Founding Partner' in the new Oldham expansion. Please feel free to contact us or one of our Board members to discuss larger gifts.
Thank you from all the families that Oldham has served thus far!
Apple MAC laptop- 13" w/ 8G ram- $1449
Or
Apple MAC laptop- 15" w/ 8 G ram- $1949
Color printer/scanner/copier/fax- HP- OfficeJet 8600- $169 or HP OfficeJet 8600+ $299
Wireless Keyboard- $69
Apple 27" Thunderbolt- color monitor- $950
Wacom tablet- Intuos 5- $300
Software- Microsoft Office for Mac- $150
Photoshop- $588
If you are a business owner or know a business owner who has been affected by cancer or another life-threatening illness, please have them contact us if they'd like to consider partnering with us for any or all of these needs. We sincerely thank you.
Labels: #bebold, Be Bold Feel Beautiful, Non-profit, ovarian cancer, Susan G. Komen Mid-Michigan, Terri Shaver, The Oldham Project
The women who surround us.... | Sunday, September 19, 2010
Much like little sapling trees are protected and sheltered from storms and uprooting winds by the taller, older and stronger trees around them, Linda F. is held up and supported by the strong and encouraging women that fill her life... a tiny, pixie of a woman, she was floated into the studio on the emotional winds of these women.. it was a party coming in!
Most women have a strong support system of other women surrounding them; who by their very nature, are nurturing, helpful and stong people, willing to reach out and much better at giving than receiving. Linda's strong Italian family ties are what keep her going through this very difficult journey through ovarian cancer. "I have days that I'm scared to death and days that I feel like this isn't me, it's happening to someone else. I hope I have a lot of life left..." All the women sitting around her to chime in with, "you sure do!" The chatter, laughter and emotion in the room is palpable.
Linda and her cast of female supporters are now all advocates of early cancer detection. The demon, ovarian cancer, is a silent cancer... many not being detected until the disease is well advanced, and confuses patients with symptoms that mimic so many other illnesses. They speak knowledgeably about the disease, the BRCA genes and being tested, saying, "You've got to get educated." Young and old alike can fall victim to ovarian cancer, it does not discriminate and usually isn't caught early. Linda is now undergoing her second round of chemotherapy, but keeps a very positive attitude, surrounded by her entourage of those women who love her the most.
Ladies, please don't discount or disregard unusual symptoms.. abdominal bloating, difficulty eating or feeling full quickly, menstrual changes, urinary problems, such as an urgent need to urinate or urinating more often than usual, or any other issues lasting more than a couple weeks. Please educate yourselves and be informed and proactive!
Labels: bald woman, bald women, Be Bold Feel Beautiful, breast cancer, breast cancer awareness, Non-profit, ovarian cancer, Terri Shaver, The Oldham Project
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