LANSING, Mich. – Mid-Michigan women who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment are being asked to shed their wigs for a photography project designed to raise awareness about the disease and the powerful women who battle it.
“We want women with cancer to step up, be bold and be photographed without their wigs and scarves to show people how very beautiful they can be,” said Lansing-area photographer Terri Shaver, who founded The Oldham Project, which provides free portraits to people suffering from life-threatening illnesses. “We want to illustrate the ravages of breast cancer and chemotherapy, but emphasize the courage and beauty of these women.”
The Oldham Project is partnering with Susan G. Komen for the Cure/Mid-Michigan on the “Be Bold, Feel Beautiful” campaign, which will photograph up to 200 local women undergoing chemotherapy. The photographs will be taken by appointment only, Monday through Thursday between July 1 and Sept. 30, at The Oldham Project’s portrait studio in East Lansing. Douglas J Spa is providing free makeup applications prior to each photo session.
With the women’s permission, the images will be displayed throughout the community in October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Shaver is looking for sponsors to host the images at their business or offices, and hopes to have a billboard donated to showcase the project.
“I want people to see the faces of cancer in our community and how brave and beautiful they are,” Shaver said. “Our goal is to showcase tasteful, compassionate, thought-provoking images.”
Other corporate partners and retailers are being sought to offer gifts to each participant, as well as sponsors for a year-end gala where the women photographed will be honored. All donations are tax-deductible.
For sponsorship information or to schedule a photo appointment, contact Shaver at 517.256.0490 or visit www.theoldhamproject.org.
Further information is available from Susan G. Komen for the Cure/Mid-Michigan, 1-877- GO KOMEN, www.komenmidmichigan.org
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Contact: Terri Shaver, 517-256-0490, terri@theoldhamproject.org