This month we switched out our theme – or rather postponed it.  The reason we did this is that this month highlights the Childhood Cancer.  “September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month, so for all of September we’ve decided to team up and join forces with @thegoldhopeproject to help spread awareness!!

If you or your family have been affected by cancer then you know how hard it is to walk that journey.  I could not imagine having my child suffer from cancer.  It was hard enough watching my boy go through surgery after surgery for 9 years for a bone disorder, but at least I knew that, unless something went horribly wrong in surgery, he would be going home with me.  Yes, we had long recuperation periods but that boy is now 29 years old and I am so grateful that I have had the opportunity to walk that journey with him.

For those of you that don’t know, The Gold Hope Project is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization of photographers who aim to provide free portrait sessions to families battling pediatric cancer. As photographers, we understand how truly important it is to document our children’s lives, and what better gift to give to parents going through such a tremendously difficult time!

In addition to pairing young warriors with photographers, @TheGoldHopeProject also works to raise funds for pediatric cancer research! If you want to participate with us this month, here are just a few things you can consider:

1. Tag your gold photos with the #TeamUp4GoldKids (for features) and #theGoldHopeProject (to spread awareness). You will have a chance to be featured on one of the MANY participating hubs for the month of September!
2. Go to goldhopeproject.com and see how you can apply to be a registered photographer!
3. Donate! It DOES make a difference!

This month was perfect for me.  We had just spent a weekend down in the Keys.  On the first night we headed off to my favorite spot to capture the sunset.  We did did some walking around and then Richard wandered off and I sat down on a tree stump to wait for the setting sun.  I had an interesting companion that evening – a homeless man joined me and chatted with me for over an hour.  I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with him.  I was too scared to ask him if I could take his photograph but next time I am down there, if he is there I will.  So here are my {Gold} images for this month.

This last picture is a victory picture for this man.  You see, 18 months after we were married, he developed a melanoma.   It was a scary time for us.  He had to have a second surgery to remove additional areas as the cancer was sitting on the edges of the the flesh that they had cut out.  After they were happy that they had got everything out, he had to have a skin graft.  18 months later, they picked up cancer in his lymph nodes under his left arm.  More surgery to remove all the lymph nodes.  You have to know that by then I was in panic mode.  He is going to die!  Radiation came next and the waiting seemed endless.  30 years later his is still alive.  I am grateful that we were given this time together.  We do not know what tomorrow will bring but I am thankful that we have had an incredible journey together.

Here are a few Childhood Cancer Facts

– Cancer is the #1 disease killer of kids in the US.

-Childhood Cancer is more than a dozen types of cancers combined including tumors, leukemia and lymphomas.

-The causes of most childhood cancer is unknown. Childhood cancer can not be prevented.

– Many childhood cancer treatments are the same that existed in the 1970s.

– 1 out of 8 children with cancer will not survive.

– Childhood cancer research receives 4% of the annual budget from the National Cancer Institute. That equals 195 million for all 12 types of childhood cancer. Adult cancers receive the renewing 96% of the budget.

– 9 children are diagnosed with a brain tumor everyday.

– 43 children are diagnosed with cancer each day.

So come and share your {Gold} images with us on our  our Facebook page and our Instagram Page  by tagging #sharesix_gold.

Help to be a part of highlighting Childhood Cancer Awareness and remember you can:

1. Tag your gold photos with the #TeamUp4GoldKids (for features) and #theGoldHopeProject (to spread awareness). You will have a chance to be featured on one of the MANY participating hubs for the month of September!
2. Go to goldhopeproject.com and see how you can apply to be a registered photographer!
3. Donate! It DOES make a difference!

Thank you for joining me for this month’s Share Six blog post.  This is a circle blog.  From the sneak peak images I have seen, you are going to want to follow the circle.  Please take time to visit my friend and very talented artist Ceri Herd Photography and see what she has for you this month. Keep following the circle to see what the other photographers have shared this month.  Don’t forget to leave a little love on their page as well.

You can also find me on Facebook, Flickr, Instagram, Google+ and Viewbug.