Nancy Peterson
I found out that I had two melanomas two weeks before my 22nd birthday,
and that surgery was necessary to remove the cancer. I was injected with
radioactive liquid and had lymph nodes removed, so I officially felt like a
science project. To say that the experience was surreal would be an
understatement, but it's amazing what you can endure when adrenaline starts
pumping to overcome fear. Ten years and over 30 mole removals later, I still
cringe at every dermatologist checkup and have learned to embrace the scars
that cover my body because they tell a piece of my story. At 32 years young, I
love my job as an elementary School Counselor, try to laugh everyday, spend as
much time as possible with friends and family, appreciate the little things,
stay active, and try to live life to the fullest...although I make sure I wear
my sunscreen!
Kristie Prince Hale - Photographer
Kristie Hale Co Founded Impulse Design Group, Inc. in 2003 in the DC Metro and was named CEO in 2004. She believes excellent customer service + creativity on an impulse is the perfect formula for success. Most times our first instincts are right. There are always exceptions and she understands that, but all in all, Impulse has been the key to success for this young CEO.
Kristie constantly is looking for ways to offer support to important causes, including the American Cancer Society, Animal Rights, the Arts and Children & Women's rights. In her down time she enjoys spending time with her Husband Denie, their daughter Sloan and their 2, 4 legged kiddos Cable & Tonka. The Beach is often on the agenda for them! She also enjoys gardening and dancing.
Mac Balod
Here is my story: In 2010 I was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon
cancer. I was 63 years old and feeling the best of health with no
outwardly signs of cancer. My story is typical of many men who, for
whatever reason or other, refuse or delay getting a colonoscopy. After
much prompting from my wife and family (and to get them off my
"back"), I scheduled a check-up. That same day, Dr. Hassan
Hassan, who performed the colonoscopy found a dark, black, obtrusive polyp in
my lower colon. My world changed that day.” Stage 3, cancer, surgery,
chemotherapy....," all the words I didn't want or need to hear.
Anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer can relate to these words.
They are words that diminish the reality of living a good and solid life.
They instead make you and your family realize that the simplicity of
waking up in the morning cam be compounded by the desire just to make it
through the day. Your family is affected as well as those that come in
contact with you everyday, your daily schedule revolves around chemotherapy,
your day job is put on hold, or ceases. I got a better appreciation of
what life means sitting in a nice, over-stuffed chair, watching milliliters of
cancer-fighting fluids drip through a port in my chest and finding its way
"battle areas" of my body. I would often sit and just gaze at the other
cancer-patients around me. All of them clinging on to hope that the
miracle fluids going through their veins would do away with the cancerous
afflictions inside of them. There was an unspoken bond among all of us.
You never knew if the person next to you had it worse or better than you.
I never knew their names, nor did I want to. Sometimes I wouldn't
see some familiar returning faces and I wondered....After my 6 months of
chemotherapy and my last session of blood work, I was set free. Not in
the sense that I was "clean" but the post-evaluative process was now
taking place. A regular monthly check and blood work kept me locked to my
doctors. Its now 2 years since my diagnosis and I've had another
colonoscopy done that was clean. I've been back at work since
convalescent leave in 2010 and am happy to say that I feel like I've been given
a second chance at life. There is hope after all!
Denie Hale - Photographer
Denie Hale is the Media Director for 757living.in and a Virginia native.
He attended Old Dominion University where he recieved a bachelors degree
in Communications and a Film minor. Denie has worked at several different media
outlets including WVEC, WDBJ and 757living.in. He has photographed
several fashion shows like Fashion for Paws and Crystal Couture and does videography also. Denie has lost several
family members to cancer and wants everyone diagnosed with the disease to have
Hope.
I was enjoying the perks of retirement for 2 years, busy with family,
friends, home projects, and my favorite pastime - sport fishing. I still kept
up with annual physicals previously required by working for the Army for 30
years. My doctor recommended and included an optional, yet simple, blood test
for PSA levels to check prostate health. He said it was a good thing to check,
even for the healthiest of men in their 50’s. The initial test results sent me
to a Urology specialist due to a spike in my normal PSA level. Within mere days
I was diagnosed with Stage 1 prostate cancer and chose from several treatment
options. I underwent robotic surgery, a progressive and less invasive type of
surgery, to completely remove the prostate. Full recovery came within a few
months and I still take great pleasure in the joys of my active retired life.
Thanks to regular check-ups, diligent doctors and medical advances, I’m
cancer-free, loving life, enjoying my family and friends, and of
course…fishing!
Jennifer Fenner - Photographer
Jennifer Fenner is the Creative Director of Distinction Magazine. She has worked in the
design field for the past ten years. When she is not working she is spending
time with her husband and son, usually following them around with a camera.
Montana was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) on
November 16, 2007. He was just 2.5 years old. He spent most of his treatment at
St. Jude in Memphis, TN with the other treatment being at CHKD in Norfolk, VA.
When he arrived at the hospital the doctors told his parents that his blood was
full of cancerous cells and they were surprised he could even walk through the
door. It consumed 85% of his little body. He was blessed to find out that three
weeks later after some major doses of chemo, he was in remission!! Since that
moment, Montana has been nothing short of a fighter. After 2.5 years of chemo,
doctors appointments, surgeries, sicknesses, allergic reactions, and
procedures... he is DONE! Montana finished treatment on June 16, 2010. He is a
cancer survivor. Today he is a 6 year old little boy who loves to swim, eat BBQ
chips, play with his two younger sisters, ride his bike and look for bugs. He
is a miracle and he is a hero.
Jessica Oatman
- Photographer
I live in Williamsburg, Virginia with my husband and three kids. My
oldest is a cancer survivor and an inspiration to many. I am the oldest of
seven kids and grew up moving every three years because of the military... I
loved it. My brother, SGT Paul E Dumont Jr., gave his life for our freedom on
Aug. 19, 2009 while serving in Afghanistan. He is the ultimate hero. May we
never forget. Photography is my heart and soul. I have a graphic design degree
from Missouri State University. I believe in capturing people as they are. I
love life, Jesus, my husband, my kids, my family, anything with the beach or
outdoors, traveling and of course all things photography.
Shannon
Jo Ann VanZandt
- Photographer
Jo Ann discovered her love for photography after the birth of her first
son, over ten years ago. Since that time she has been developing her craft and
aesthetic, in order to fulfill a personal dream of owning her own studio. She
is a part-time Hampton Roads Photographer, Specializing in Newborns and
Families. But most importantly, she is a daughter, a wife, and a mother of 2
wonderful boys as well as a graduate from NYIP. Her goal with each session is
to capture the ephemera of life, those fleeting moments that are often the most
precious to us and the hardest to pin down.In essence, she's not just a
photographer, she is a memory maker.
Laura Kippes
I went for a routine screening mammogram in August 2007. A cluster
of micro-calcifications was found on my left breast. I had a biopsy
and the result was benign atypical ductal hyperplasia (pre-cancer). The
radiologist recommended that I have this area surgically removed.
The surgeon decided to wait and get a follow up mammogram in 3
months. In November, I had a bilateral mammogram at which time the
Radiologist found a mass on my right breast. I had an a biopsy of
that area and the result was invasive ductal carcinoma (cancer). I had an MRI
which showed several other questionable areas that would require more
biopsies. Because of this and since I had a 60% chance of
getting cancer in the left breast, John and I decided it would be best for me
to have a double mastecomy. After surgery it was found that 5 out of 18 lymphnodes also contained
cancer cells. The tumor was 2.2cm and tested positive for progesterone,
estrogen, and HER2-nue. It is a stage IIIA cancer which required 4 types
of chemo and radiation. I began treatment in April 2008 and will be
finished in October 2009. I had tissue expanders inflated periodically
for one year and had surgery to exchange the expanders for silicone
implants in January 2009. I will continue with hormone therapy drugs
for 5 years until I am given the all clear.
Kristen Runberg
- Photographer
I am a photographer living in Virginia Beach. I currently photograph
products for catalogue, but my background is in portraiture, art, and design.
I'm also the part owner of a store of 100% Virginia handmade wonders called
Kitsch in Norfolk.
