By Bobbie-Lynn Hall - The Weekly News
When Shari Tucker was asked to contribute a photograph to Cancer Connection - a two-year nationwide photo exhibit for the Canadian Cancer Society - she had no idea that that photograph would not only inspire her, but change her life forever, adding a whole new dimension to her career. She had done portraits, but the Halifax based photographer has worked primarily in the corporate sector.
"I decided to do it, but I knew no one affected by cancer so I started looking for someone to photograph," she said. "I found two lovely ladies who were interested in taking part and after meeting them and hearing their stories I knew that I wanted to do my own art show and share their inspiration and their stories."
Tucker has had a few cancer scares over the years which also contributed to her decision to do the project. She had pre-cancerous cells removed from her cervix when she was 19, and then in her early 20s she found a lump in her breast. The lump turned out to be benign, but the experience was scary and it was hard to deal with.
She took more photographs and then in June of 2008 Tucker held her art show. Soon afterward she wrote an unpublished coffee table book that was well received and so she decided to continue on with her very special project. Now she's set to launch Young and Fearless a book profiling 30 cancer survivors all 30 years and younger.
Each photograph featured in Young and Fearless is accompanied by the inspirational story of its subject.
Two survivors featured in the book are Krystle Daoud and Trent Lambert. Both are from the Sackville area and both are proud to be a part of Tucker's book.
In 2006, Trent Lambert was four years old. That same year he was diagnosed with leukemia. The Beaver Bank family had to watch Trent endure months and months of tests, treatments and hospital stays. The Lamberts have lived a family's worst nightmare, but have come out of it strong and determined to share their story so others can be inspired. They decided Tucker's book was the perfect vehicle to get their message out there.
"People need to hear stories of people living with cancer," said Trent's mom Stephanie. "Not just stories of people dying with it."
Trent Lambert finished his last day of chemotherapy maintenance in November 2009. He is in school and doing well.
Krystle Daoud was in Afghanistan working as a member of the military police providing security at the embassy in Kabul when the first signs of her illness began to show. What started out as dry skin turned to chest pains, muscle pain and migraines. After several doctor visits and tests she was ultimately diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma.
Daoud went through chemotherapy. She has scans regularly to make sure the cancer hasn't come back and fortunately those appointments are getting further apart. She agreed to be profiled in the book to help educate people.
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"Cancer can affect people of all ages," she said. "I just want everyone to know how important it is to be vigilant with their health."
Tucker is hopeful that Young and Fearless will be a success and is encouraged by orders already received from across the country. She's very proud of this project, but once the launch is over and the promoting of the book has slowed down, she will be happy to go back to her life as a corporate photographer.
"I might do it again in the future," she said. "I probably will. It's just been so emotionally draining and it's also been very expensive. I just can't think about doing it again, not next year anyway."
The Young and Fearless book launch will be held on National Cancer Survivors Day, Sunday, June 6, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Art & Jules, 2089 Gottingen St., Halifax. Donations at the door as well as a portion of proceeds from book sales will go to The Lodge that Gives - accommodations for those who come to Halifax for cancer treatment.
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