If Only For A Second- Photographer Captures Moment Of Carefreeness Of Cancer Patients - Mimi Foundation

Cancer patients often talk about the loss of being carefree, so Mimi Foundation (an organization founded in Belgium) gathered 20 cancer patients to participate in a makeover. But it wasn't quite the make-over one would expect. They were brought to a studio where a photographer sat behind a one-way mirror, unbeknownst to the participants. The patients were told to keep their eyes shut while the makeup artists and hair stylists transformed them. The photographer was then asked to capture the moment they first opened their eyes. And it's quite amazing. You will see why, for a second, they were able to forget their disease and recapture that feeling of being carefree.

"Ne Cerait -ce  Qu'une Seconde"

The Tutu Project- Bob Carey Photographer

Bob Carey in his pink tutu hiding in the middle of the cornfield

When photographer Bob Carey moved to the East Coast with his wife Linda in 2003, he started a new project for the fun of it- just to mix things up a little.  He decided to photograph himself in a pink tutu in various locations, and hence The Tutu Project began.  Then after Linda got breast cancer, the project turned into a greater vision- helping other women with breast cancer.

Six months after the move, Linda, was diagnosed with breast cancer. She beat it, only to have it recur in 2006. During these past nine years, I’ve been in awe of her power, her beauty, and her spirit. Oddly enough, her cancer has taught us that life is good, dealing with it can be hard, and sometimes the very best thing—no, the only thing—we can do to face another day is to laugh at ourselves, and share a laugh with others.

Enter Ballerina, the book. Not only is it a collection of my tutu images, it also shares many humorous stories about the adventures of a guy and his pink tulle. So far, there has been a tremendous response to the series of photos—people are particularly moved by the images. And their interest and enthusiasm have made us want to share that experience with as many people as possible in the form of a book, so that we can raise money to help other women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.

The monies he receives from his self-published book "Ballerina" will go to various organizations that deal with breast cancer, including Cancercare.org and Beth Israel Department of Integrative Medicine Fund which handles alternative healing modalities.