We are so blessed as an organization to have some amazing members. I wanted to share with you one of those members, Terri Shaver. She has started The Oldham Project and it is something worth talking about. I have interviewed Terri on how things are going below. Also check out her blog for her images and amazing stories from the Bold And Beautiful campaign.
1. What is the Oldham Project?
The Oldham Project is the product of several circumstances and of a place in life that I’m fortunate to be in. My husband and I had a daughter who died at birth and we never got a photo of her, so my biggest fear has always been that I will forget what her little face looks like, so photos became very important to me. After watching my sister in law loose both of her sisters to breast cancer within a couple years of each other, and my sister in law making the courageous decision to have a preventative mastectomy to save her own life…. The Oldham Project was birthed in memory of Kathy and her sisters. Oldham was their maiden name.
The mission of the Oldham Project is to provide free portraits to those suffering from life-threatening or terminal illnesses. When families are facing these diagnoses, they probably won’t initially be thinking of a portrait, but it’s the first thing their family will think of when they are gone. Also, families and individuals are facing mounting medical expenses and at this time, don’t have the resources available to pay for fine portraits. This project enables them to have fine, remembrance portraits, free of charge.
2. What do you offer to people?
We offer a free session and a disc of retouched images with a copyright release to use as they wish. If the ‘patient’ is too ill to travel, we do a location session by special arrangement. These are images that will live on for generations to come, long after the ‘patient’ is gone.
3. How did the Bold and Beautiful campaign get started?
The Executive Director of Susan G. Komen for the Cure/Mid-Michigan approached me last fall about a partnership. I had always wanted to do a photo expose about women who are bald, so this appeared as a great opportunity to mesh our mutual interests and promote The Oldham Project at the same time. Our Board of Directors came together and discussed the project, it’s goals and objectives, it’s funding, etc. and Be Bold, Feel Beautiful launched on July 1, 2010. We garnered sponsorships from some notable retailers in the community and are offering free portraits to women currently bald from chemotherapy. Participation is not limited to only breast cancer, but any cancer. Ages range from 26 to the oldest so far at 71.
We have a major Spa in town offering free makeup applications prior to their photo sessions, which includes false eyelashes when theirs are gone from the chemo. A jeweler in town is donating some specialized “United Heart” necklaces that we will be giving away at the end of the campaign as well as spa packages, audio books, and coffee gifts. Our Board and their committees are currently planning a large Gala/Fundraising event in January to honor these women and their courage. Funds will be raised via ticket sales, silent auction and corporate sponsorships. Each woman at that time will be presented with an 11 x 14 mounted print of themselves from their session.
During the month of October, Adams Outdoor (a nationwide billboard advertising company) will be displaying these images throughout the greater Lansing area to bring a visual awareness of cancer in women and how Bold and Beautiful they are. Also, a notable radio station in town is partnering with The Oldham Project and the American Cancer Society to create a calendar with the images we provide. All proceeds will go to our fundraising event.
It is our long-term vision that “Be Bold, Be Brave and Feel Beautiful” become a nationwide campaign in association with either the American Cancer Society or Susan G. Komen. Talks are in the works with both entities as well as trademark applications with our attorney’s.
4. What life lessons are you learning?
Every one of these women teaches me something about life and how to live it.
Their determination, faith and personal strength give me passion to create amazing images for them. I’m being challenged professionally to think “outside the box” with my lighting techniques to create dramatic and emotional images. I want the community to see the actual ravages of cancer and what that ‘looks’ like on women, but yet how beautiful they can be. Women tend to hide behind their wigs and scarves and this project is challenging them to ‘uncover’ and be BOLD.
I have watched one of them die since she was photographed and it was a very emotional time for me… I hadn’t considered that when starting this project, but am gaining strength from each and every one of them since. They have taught me to cherish the small things in life. I’ve always been a pretty positive and upbeat person, but I’m learning to appreciate each and every day, being thoughtful of those around me and spending time with those that I love. Our fates could change in a moment.
Having been part of the medical community for 23 years as an RN, I have a pretty good understanding of what they are going through medically, but I’m learning to appreciate what they’re going through personally and emotionally and I’ve earned many new friends.
This project has far exceeded my meager expectations and is gaining momentum each week. The Lansing State Journal is covering the entire project and is beginning to run a series, with interviews with many of the women who’ve participated. Our blog has been so well received and grows daily between 200-300 readers, with almost 30,000 pages being viewed in the past 5 weeks. The phenomenon I hadn’t considered when starting the blog, is that the women are beginning to talk to each other through the blog, encouraging each other and making friends amongst themselves. It’s accomplishing all of our initial goals.
Making women feel bold.
Making women feel beautiful.
Making women feel empowered.
Helping women engage and encourage each other through their journey.
Bringing a visual awareness of cancer to the community.
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