3 Years After This Photo, Childhood Cancer Survivors Reunite
The reality of childhood cancer is painful, but we can't afford to turn away. That's why mom and photographer Lora Scantling brought three little girls battling cancer together for a portrait session back in 2014 -- to bring awareness to the disease. The stunning photo quickly went viral for its heartbreaking beauty, and now, three years later, a new photo series of the girls is doing the same for a wonderful reason: All the kids are now cancer-free!
The girls actually take a new photo every year, but each anniversary becomes more meaningful -- and the recent three-year photos are especially magical.
"I have loved getting the girls together each year," Scantling told CafeMom. "They always have a blast when they're together and are always excited to see me too!"
"We love that the world still wants to see how the girls are doing and we are using that as a tool to help keep people talking about childhood cancer awareness," Scantling added. "It needs more attention!"
These breathtaking photos are sure to inspire people to get involved...
Three Years Later: Going for the Gold
For this 2017 photo, the girls held a gold ribbon "just to remind people that the reason we do these portraits every year is to help raise awareness about childhood cancer," Scantling said.
Look at them shine!
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Standing Tall
Now 9 years old, Rheann is cancer-free but still dealing with lifelong complications of chemo and radiation, including the inability to grow hair, low muscle tone, drooping eyelids, and problems with her kidneys. "Despite all that, she's an extremely happy little girl," Scantling says.
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All That Glitters
Every single day, 43 children are diagnosed with cancer (with the average age being 6 years). Over 40,000 children undergo treatment for cancer in the US every year. It's time for a cure!
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Staying Strong
There's no question that these girls are fighters! The challenges they've overcome require a kind of strength many adults don't have. Truly inspiring.
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Make Some Noise
According to the Coalition Against Childhood Cancer, just 4 percent of the National Cancer Institute's $4.9 billion budget (as of 2014) went to childhood cancer research (even though cancer is the second leading cause of death in kids, following accidents). These kids are worth more than 4 percent!
Holding on to Hope
This sweet embrace happened one year after the first photo, which Scantling said she was inspired to take because her stepfather was losing his battle with lung cancer at the time, and because a friend had lost her son to cancer.
"I wanted to do something that would make a difference," she said.
Getting Better
This heartbreakingly adorable photo of Ainsley during a routine chemo session in 2014 is a reminder of what childhood cancer is really all about -- and why we need to do everything we can to prevent more kids from getting sick! You can head over to the American Cancer Organization to find out more about Going Gold for Kids With Cancer!
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