Supporting One Another {Fort Smith Portrait Photographer}

Something is on my heart lately, and I'm excited to get to tell you about it.

Recently, I got to tour the Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Support House. This place is amazing. The staff is amazing. The house serves as a meeting place for cancer patient support groups, a hotel for cancer patients that need a place to stay when traveling to Fort Smith for treatments, and a safe haven for newly diagnosed cancer patients.

My sweet friend Susan runs the House, and she does a beautiful job. All the volunteers at the House are so warm and welcoming. There are event rooms that can be used for various things, but one of the best things she told me about- parties for kids. Kids that have cancer, that deserve so desperately to have a moment like any normal kid. A birthday party. A valentines party. A just because party.

Cancer sucks. To put it bluntly. My grandmother is a breast cancer survivor (Thank You, Jesus!). I remember how terrifying it was to know that I could lose my Grandma. I know that fear that kids have. The fear that parents feel when their kids are diagnosed. The sadness that anyone feels when they or a loved one are diagnosed with this life changing and sometimes life ending disease.

So last night, when Susan asked me as a last minute favor, if I could photograph today's Butterfly Release for Ovarian cancer survivors and in honor of those lost, I couldn't say yes fast enough. I have told her since the day I toured the House that I am happy to volunteer my time and talent as often as she needs me to. These people are amazing. As I was photographing, and looking on at these amazing survivors, I said a little prayer. A thank you, for allowing me to be here. A special blessing on these women. And a prayer of comfort for the families that lost their loved ones.

This was such a beautiful event! The House is very near to my heart and if you would like to donate there are quite a few ways. If you live in Fort Smith or near by, you can check out their wish list and drop the items off during weekday business hours. If you're out of town, you can always order things from their wish list off amazon (use smile.amazon.com and you can even choose to have a percentage of your purchase price go to the Support House!) and have the items delivered. And if you're local local, you can always volunteer your time. 

Find out more about the Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Support House here.