Ashley Plant watched her father Richard, Rick Palmer, battle cancer twice in his lifetime. In 2008 he battled prostate cancer. It was detected early on and he won this battle. In May of 2011 he was diagnosed with throat and lung cancer which was unfortunately caught too late. And he lost his battle with the disease in July of the same year.
Plant hasn’t let it hold her back and she is doing her part. She has recently posed for Lavender Phoenix, an initiative created by local photographer Norman J Wilson to spread the word of the importance of early detection and spreading awareness.
Wilson came up with the idea for ‘Lavender Phoenix’ in February of 2011. He has set the ambitious goal of raising $100,000 for Cancer Research in just 12 months.
“I wanted to work with Norman on this project because so many people lost their lives due to cancer,” explains Plant. “I just want people to know that cancer can be beat and it isn’t always a lost cause. You just need to take care of yourself and do regular check-ups to keep healthy and catch these things early.”
Plant knew she wanted to get involved, but wasn’t sure initially how it would impact her. “I had hoped that somehow in some way, it would help at least one person. I guess I did help someone – myself! It allowed me to be involved and feel close to a subject that has great importance to me,” Plant says of her Lavender Phoenix photo shoot.
Photographer Norman J Wilson has been inspired to pursue the female form in artistic poses and light for years. He is also a believer in giving back when possible. After having family members experience cancer and experiencing medial issues of his own – he came to realize how much support is needed for agencies to fund research, awareness and cancer support campaigns. Thus, Lavender Phoenix was born.
“Some of the images in the Lavender Phoenix series, such as Ashley’s, are aimed at reflecting some of the stages of dealing with cancer,” explains Wilson. Going from the contemplation of ‘what if I have cancer?’ through to the determination to fight and live. Other upcoming images will be a similar mixture of purely artistic works as some that carry messages of lifestyle, survival and more.”
Print sales from Lavender Phoenix will go directly towards Cancer Research. Keep your eyes peeled for upcoming events to support Wilson’s effort. (*Psst mark November 11 on your calendars – keep checking The Lavender Phoenix website for details!)
Visit The Lavender Phoenix website to order prints, support the cause and to find resourceful information.
Click here to visit the website.
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