Cancer…

How many have NOT been affected in some way by Cancer? I have… several times. Family. Close friends. I have seen both great sorrow and great strength come from it. It strikes silently, only announcing itself through testing, and often when it’s already too late.

At the mere suggestion of Cancer, we find ourselves in “contemplation” about what if? and how our lives could change. Or the lives of those around us. We are subjected to tests and find ourselves in “anticipation” as we await results. If diagnosed, we may find ourselves in a position of “isolation”, whether through our own actions or the actions of those around us. Fear, anger, misunderstanding can all lead to a dark state where we feel alone in the fight. To overcome the disease, we need to find a special “determination” – a will to fight and win against the attackers within.

These four stages are portrayed in the “Emotions” series of prints feauturing Ashley Plant. Ashley saw her father battle Cancer twice… sadly losing the second battle. Her story and images are posted in the archives and galleries of this site.

To survive, we need to become a warrior. In mind, body and spirit we must find the strength and courage to fight for victory even through the harshest of conditions. Our body becomes the battle ground as the very tissues within us become necrotic, almost zombie-like in that they are diseased and dying yet still live and infect the healthy tissues around them.

We use chemical and nuclear weapons to attempt to defeat the invader, with varying degrees of collateral damage to neighbouring tissues. We use surgical techniques that leave lifetime scars – our battle wounds. Even when the attacker is slain and the battlefield is quiet, we cannot lower our guard for many years – if ever. Watching and testing with the ongoing fear of a second assault.

When I started this project it was called Project Pink and was, like many other fundraising efforts, aimed specifically at breast cancer. I reached out into my network of contacts in search of subjects to put in front of my camera. My goal, to create memorable artistic images that would help to raise awareness and develop a fund that will be donated to research that may put an end to at least one form of Cancer. Or to fund research that may find a way to treat Cancer that is not as damaging to healthy cells as current chemotherapy and radiation treatments can be.

But I quickly realized that there are politics at play that made it difficult to connect my efforts with existing agencies. Even if I did, my fund would be split in such a way that perhaps less than 1/3 of the contribution would end up supporting research specifically.  So I re-branded the project and took a different direction. Lavender is the support ribbon color for ALL Cancers. And the Phoenix is symbolic of rebirth after death. It seemed to fit my imagery, and my intended messages, so Lavender Phoenix was born.

Along the way I met an amazing woman… a survivor… a Warrior. She heard my vision and my interpretation of Cancer and helped me to revise it through her personal experiences, and we worked with the team that came together to create “The Warrior”.  The Warrior character in the image is portrayed by that woman, Jacqueline Fassel, herself a victor in the battle against breast cancer – and other battles related to her treatment and recovery. As The Warrior, she proudly shows her “battle scars” after overcoming her zombie attacker. She directs her gaze forward to ensure that her path ahead is clear. Her strength and determination show in her posture and in her expression.  In person, her passion, her understanding, her very nature make her perfect as a signature model for Lavender Phoenix, and her soon to be published story will give others in similar situations something inspirational to learn from.

Lavender Phoenix is about the art, the information, the stories of inspiration from those that have been warriors and have won their battles.  It is about stories like Ashley’s and other personal experiences to come as I find more brave Warriors to share their stories and create more images. And it is a place to share useful information with those fighting cancer as well as to those trying to avoid it.

The total net proceeds raised by the Lavender Phoenix project, through advertising revenues, prints sold from selected personal collections created for the project, donations to the fund and upcoming special events will be granted directly to research teams. The fund status, online store, image galleries and stories of other warriors can be found here at lavenderphoenix.com.

To conclude the presentation, we presented a unique and original performance that blends classical with modern in both visual and instrumental stylings. Choreographed and performed by dancer Sarah-Alexis Beatty, this dance is based on her interpretation of my own description and performed to music composed by Jason M. Norwood of Code 000 specifically for this performance.  Both Sarah and Jason have donated their time and talents to bring this piece to life for the Lavender Phoenix project, for which I am very thankful.

The dance reflects the death and rebirth of the Phoenix, in a tribute to Cancer Warriors that have risen, restored and strong from the ravages of Cancer and related treatments. Video recordings of the dance will be posted soon on this site and others to increase our exposure and awareness of this project.

I would like to also offer thanks to Kevin Hawthorne. Kevin hand crafted the neck piece worn by The Warrior specifically to her designs, and has donated this one-of-a-kind piece to us to feature in a fundraising event as an auction item.

All of the images described in this presentation are on display and may be purchased through this site.

Live Well!

In addition to the Lavender Phoenix project booth we will be presenting on the main stage with a verbal presentation and a special dance / musical program created specifically for the project. Presentations will run Friday at 6:45 and Saturday at 5:30.

Guests attending the show can learn more about Lavender Phoenix, and discover the many other services offered by Norman J. Wilson Photography.

Videograhers will also be recording the presentation Friday evening, and a new signature piece that is exclusive to this project will be unveiled for its first public showing.

See you at the Fair!

Lavender replaces pink as the site is no longer specific to breast cancer, but will feature articles and stories related to all forms of the disease.  Funds raised by the site will be collected and once certain plateaus are reached, will be forwarded to research specific groups that are based in Canada and are working towards the treatment or prevention of any form of cancer.

The art collection will be expanding to include more of something for everyone and will include scenic images, artistic works in black and white and color, and some images that are more specifically created to express a message related to the theme of the project. This expansion of the artistic element will allow for a more diverse audience and generate even more sales of prints and other products.

New products are coming online soon including logo tee shirts and other garments, and soon an art collection in the form of a coffee table books made to order for your living room. And there will be more variety in prints, cards and other items available.

As of yesterday, the domain registration is complete and we are completed the change of the project name to ‘Lavender Phoenix’ and this project will live for as long as it lasts at http://lavenderphoenix.com.  So if you’ve reached this site from one of the old pink.njw.ca links or bookmarks, please update your links soon as the old links will stop working in a few weeks.

Stay tuned for more refinements, changes and some major announcements coming up in the week ahead!

Cheers and thank you for the continued support!

Norm Wilson.

From Medical News Today: Read the full article.

The recommendations of the the panel are now to offer PSA screening only in men that request such tests, and are aware of the risks associated with taking action based on the results. There is, as yet, no way to determine the severity or even the existence of prostate cancer based solely on these test results, and reviews have found cases where men have had life-changing surgeries and treatments where they may not have been required. Complications of surgeries and treatments for cancer include long term illnesses, and even death!

In short, annual prostate exams are a good way to monitor prostate health, and may help to identify cases of concern, but PSA tests are no longer recommended for regular screening for Prostate cancer. Recommendations from the Panel include shifting the time and money expended on PSA testing to further research to find more reliable testing methods to identify real risks.

Prostate Cancer in men over 40 is quite common, but more often than not is not deadly, and may never be a real risk to the normal health of the subject. Recent studies show that as much as 1/3 of the male population will die with some degree of prostate cancer brewing within us, but in most of those cases, it’s not the cause of death.

Being aware of the reliability of test results is an important part of the decision making process when cancer is involved. After all, we certainly wouldn’t want to treat the a minor infection with chemotherapy! And in essence, this is what may have happened in some cases after positive PSA testing. Be aware! Be healthy!

Researchers at UCLA have just released findings related to brain cancer (and possibly other cancers) that show how ‘starving’ cancerous cells of bad cholesterol (LDL) that they feed on can kill those cells. This form of treatment is showing early signs of promise in their tests and, like other studies, is demonstrating treatment mechanisms that may be effective at removing previously inoperable tumors without having negative effects on neighboring cells. Since LDL is already known to be a risk factor for coronary disease, living a lifestyle that keeps our LDL levels down is a good choice for a healthy heart and coronary system, but now may also prove effective at keeping certain types of cancers at bay as well. If you’re not already doing so, get your cholesterol tested regularly and keep the levels in check.

Teams at the Penn State College of Medicine are finding excellent results with viral therapy testing in the lab on breast cancer cells from various stages of the disease. In as little as a week (up to 3 weeks for more advanced stages) they are seeing repeatable test results that show a virus strain that is common and nondisease-causing in humans can ‘somehow’ cause the death of cancer cells. This highly effective weapon in the destruction of cancer cells is known to have virtually no effect on any other part of the human body and causes no symptoms in those infected with it. Yet, when cancer cells are exposed to the virus, they simply start to die off in a matter of a few days.

Research continues in hopes of identifying the mechanism of that death which could one day lead to treatment protocols that can quickly and safely destroy cancer cells in a host body without effect on the healthy tissues. Such treatments are being studied in many facilities around the world as more is learned about the mechanics of cancer growth at the chemical/genetic level. With a little luck and a little more time, we may see these treatments becoming available, offering increased hope for those affected by cancer.

It’s exciting to see the growth of this type of treatment study. If there is a way that nature can help us to beat cancer, and we can learn those methods without the use of genetic tampering or using the equivalent of chemical warfare against the unhealthy cells (at the risk of destroying healthy ones) we may yet see ways to reduce the death toll annually that is attributed to cancer worldwide. Further, learning how cancers form, grow and invade our bodies can also help us to know the choices that we can make to reduce the risks of developing cancer in the first place. And given the choice, I’d rather not get it at all!

To your health!

Sources:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/234503.php

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/234904.php

And while this is a good thing, I am starting to think that pink is overshadowing all other forms of the disease. So I am out to make my mission here in London (this year at least – next year we’ll reach further) to splash a little bit of Lavender into the expanding sea of Pink. According to several sources, the Lavender Ribbon is used to represent awareness for ALL forms of Cancer, and I think we need to take some time to realize that while breast cancer is a major concern among our populations, there are so many other forms that require increased funding for research.

And I know as well that many families are finding it harder to decide where to give what little they have to give and that the increasing number of events and campaigns that come to our doors and invade our media are reaching near epidemic proportions. But here’s a thought for you to consider – if you donate just $1 for each member of your household to my Lavender Phoenix project, once each year, I’ll more than double the target and that money will go DIRECTLY to teams that are performing research on ways to treat and prevent ALL Cancers.

In another perspective, drop ONE trip to Tim Hortons, or ONE movie/game rental each year and put that money into this fund…  and you will be helping to fund research that may save tens of thousands of lives annually in the future. Perhaps one of those saved may be a member of your family!

Another thing that I see – almost daily as we reach for October – is a Facebook status that compels you to repost a message if you’ve been affected by Cancer in your life. It’s a wonderful sentiment and certainly tells everyone that you’ve been touched by Cancer in some way, but it’s ineffective. It won’t change anything. And in truth, we’ve ALL been affected in some way. So millions of times a day people repost that status and we all see that someone we know perhaps shares that truth with us. Wonderful. And the first few times I read it I found it moving. I even reposted it a couple of times.

But if I had just ONE PENNY for every time that status appears in the Facebook world each day, I’d likely be able to contribute MILLIONS of Dollars to Cancer each year! Take a positive action. Donate to something that will put money in the hands of researchers and perhaps we can see fewer people that need to share that status in the future. Donate just a little to ANY campaign that you believe will benefit someone. Of course I’d love to see it here on Lavender Phoenix, but I’m really just asking you to DO something, not just SAY something.

And finally for today, there are a few more changes coming to the Lavender world before the end of September.  The art gallery of prints that will be available for sale is expanding to include other styles of photography, including some of my scenic works and other non-nude creatives. Still glamorous and still many in black and white, but there will also be some color and local sights and scenes that you may find more to your taste. This will be happening this week. And the new domain name will be coming quite soon as we move into our marketing launch in October. We really are determined to splash a little lavender around this month!

There’s a lot more coming in the next week or so…  stay tuned!

The very fact that you are reading this is proof that the following things are true in your life, all of which are certainly things to be thankful for.

• You are alive
• You have the means to read – likely working vision or technology to help you read if you are not blessed with conventional vision
• You have at least the required skills to find this blog online
• You have access to the technology needed to allow you to read this information so you are likely working or have working family you live with, or at the least have access to public resources that make it possible for you to be able to read this

Now before you start stressing out about Stressing out, Stress is not (yet) tied to causing cancer, but recent studies are showing that chronic stress seems to have a negative effect on the growth and spread of the disease once tumors develop.  It seems that the chemicals released when we are stressed are more likely to cause single cancer cells to break free from existing tumors and float to other parts of the body. This process – metastasis – is responsible for the spread of cancer to healthy areas of the body.

The short version of the message is this:  living a lower stress lifestyle may help to keep you healthy. Not really NEW news, but a solid reminder of the dangers of our modern lives. The hardest part of this of course is determining what causes your stress, and then making the required changes in your life to reduce or eliminate those stresses.

Breathe – turn off the phones – listen to some music that sets your spirit free. And make sure that you make time for yourself DAILY for your good health!

Read on for Ashley’s story of her father’s experiences with cancer and some of the ways that her life was changed as a result. Thanks to Ashley and Jason for allowing sharing their story with us…

Ashley and Jason sat across from me in the coffee shop. The shop was moderately busy which required us to take occasional breaks to ensure that we could continue to record their story over the background sounds of the blenders and other background noises.

Ashley begins with the start of her father’s story which dates back to 2008. His first encounter with cancer was an early diagnosis found during a routine medical examination. Around this time, he was also initially diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Thanks to early detection of the prostate cancer, his treatment went well and he was cleared of prostate cancer, and his life returned to normal. He continued to work on his car, continued to live almost exactly as he had before this first encounter.

Until early 2011… In May he was having more health problems. His eating habits changed, and he started to feel ill and lose weight. When family suggested that he get into the hospital, he would put it off, until finally after falling from his bed one evening. Heart or stroke issues were the major area of concern at this time, but testing showed that he had an advanced case of lung cancer.

This far more aggressive cancer had been found too late in the course of the disease and was complicated further with throat cancer. It was unlikely that this case would respond to treatment.

Ashley and Jason continued to talk about her father’s mental state and how he seemed to accept that he was dying. They spoke in turn telling how he changed – becoming more emotional and took more opportunity to make sure that his family knew how he felt.

In response to this news, Ashley and Jason moved forward their plans to be married so that her father could be there to see the happy day. In the immediacy of the new Wedding date, there were no budgets to support their plans which had been originally slated for much later.  A local promoter that they had worked with rallied together with designers, venues, friends and family to ensure that the wedding could take place in just a couple of months in hopes of having him attend.

Sadly, fate was not kind enough and things didn’t come together in time for him to see the Wedding. He passed away just a short time before the event. It’s apparent in both Ashley and Jason that there was a lot of love, and his passing was a great loss for the entire family.

One item that came to light through hearing the story, is that he faced his first battle almost silently. He kept the diagnosis from his family and faced his prostate cancer mostly on his own, fearing raising concerns among the family. It seems that he knew he was going to be fine and there was no reason to worry the family at this time.  When his later diagnosis determined to be more serious, he included the entire family.

Another point is the delay is seeking medical attention when perhaps warning signs should have been noted. I’ve been lucky twice in my life, and both as a result of seeking attention as soon as there was a reason for concern. And in this case too, the early diagnosis of prostate cancer resulted in a good recovery. I think that the message is a clear one…  don’t put it off!

There are more stories coming soon… and remember that your support may help to lead to early detection tests that can identify cancer earlier and easier.

With warm wishes and thanks.

Norm Wilson.

The other problem with ‘Project Pink’ is the fact that there are so many other sites, programs and more that use that same title.  Breast cancer fund raisers are among the most widely known and publicized, and I wanted to stand out just a little more from the common searches.  But Project Lavender just doesn’t quite sound the same.  I wanted something that also reflected the character of those that I am meeting as I conduct interviews.  And it finally struck me… Phoenix.

The Phoenix of Mythology is best known as a bird that is reborn in a fire of its own creation. At full maturity, and in its final act of life, the Phoenix builds a nest and lights the nest on fire while remaining in it. Once the nest and the bird are nothing but ashes, the Phoenix rises from the ashes – restored to youth (or reborn depending on the variation of the mythology) – to start life once again.

I see the life of a Cancer survivor bearing some similarities to this. Often having their lives torn down, and in some cases near the edge of life. Those that win the battle and remain strong are restored to health and have a new strength and often a new viewpoint on life completely.

So the name Lavender Phoenix came into being. And it appears to be unique, making it stand out from the sea of pink and hopefully drawing its own following, and growing an increasingly large audience in the years ahead. In the next few days I hope to register a domain that reflects this name, and am seeking artists to assist in the creation of a logo that we can use on merchandise to help raise the goals we are setting for the 2011/2012 year, and for years to come.

In support of those wishing to be reborn free of cancer – Lavender Phoenix is here to stay!

There are more than 80 known types of HPV currently, and while only specific forms of the virus are linked to oral cancer, there are numerous other risks from other strains.  These studies are fueling debate over offering HPV Vaccinations to both male and female subjects in the UK starting at 12 to 13 years of age, with similar discussions taking place in the US and elsewhere.

There are numerous articles on the topic of HPV, including other risks and symptoms, and of course information on the pros and cons of the HPV Vaccinations.  There are a few links at the bottom of this article to help you start your research, but do take the time to be aware of the risks and protect yourself best according to your own lifestyle.

Links:

• http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/facts/humanpapillomavirus.htm
• http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1358845/Oral-sex-bigger-cause-throat-cancer-tobacco.html
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HPV_vaccine
• http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/std-mts/hpv-vph/hpv-vph-vaccine-eng.php
• http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/ms/hpv/
• http://www.hpvinfo.ca/

Researchers in the Netherlands warn of the potential for Fish Oil supplements to reduce the effectiveness of chemotherapy treatments.  Specific fatty acids in fish oil can actually make solid tumors more resistant to treatment according to their research, answering some questions about why some people have shown lesser benefits from chemotherapy.  If chemo is a path you are heading down, you really need to be aware of this research to ensure that the treatment has the best possible chance to be effective.  Read this article on http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/234263.php.

Stay tuned here on Project Pink for the very latest in research you need to know about to stay free of Cancer or to see some of the very latest news in the far-reaching world of research related to Cancer.

To remain supportive and simultaneously detached is the most challenging thing we can do in my experience. I have already learned great respect for those that give their support daily to cancer patients and their families. I have seen only a small part of what they must face, and while I’m sure it gets easier, there must be days that are hard to forget.

As an artist, I try to find an image that captures an element of the person, or of their battles, in a single frame. Sometimes it jumps out and is clear and precise, as the image will be. Sometimes, it’s complicated or contradictory, in which case the image needs to challenge perception and look at things from different points of view.

And as a writer, listening to the recording of their story, and attempting to put the words here that will tell the story and draw emotional responses is proving to be very difficult to do without feeling a little of the emotion that I see and hear in the interview. At least in the privacy of my space I can stop and be emotional when it’s called for. Something I dare not do during the interview.

I get to see something cathartic. I get to see into another human for a while. I get to see their emotions. I get to feel and hear their pain. And I get to know the Love that they have for someone lost. But I remind myself that the purpose of this project is to help others avoid that loss. And I push forward to the next meeting or interview. I contemplate the next photo session. And I continue to appreciate the fact that I am alive, and those in my family that have had encounters with Cancer are still alive. And know that my efforts will help others to know how great that feels.

It’s going to be a great journey… and one that I hope you will continue to share with me.

Thank you for supporting this small effort!

There are a number of things that you can do to reduce the chances of getting cancer to being with.  This is not by any means a complete list, but certainly the top nine list of things to do or not do if you want to avoid facing cancer personally.

• Don’t smoke!  No matter what you read, there are numerous studies that relate smoking to various cancers.  I’ve been a smoker most of my life, and while I have attempted to quit (read about my efforts with e-cigs) I am currently a smoker.  It’s a hard habit to break for sure.  Just don’t start. EVER.  Not even a social smoke.  It takes only one to get you going on a path that is hard to change.
• Get a screening regularly.  Start early.  Work with your Doctor to ensure that you are tested for anything you need to and start as soon as is practical.  Simple screening tests can identify at-risk patients and spot the very earliest development of many cancers and greatly increase the odds of successful treatment.  And…  as testing protocols evolve, we might see the day when a simple oral swab can identify many cancers very early.
• Protect your skin.  Simply put… our skin is the largest organ of our body and is also the most exposed to the risk of cancer. Sunscreen, proper protective clothing and proper care and feeding of our skin are critical to our overall health – AND our healthy appearance.  And don’t even start me on the topic of tanning beds!
• Be careful with alcohol.  We all like a drink or two.  No denying that.  And occasional excess isn’t going to kill you (on its own anyway).  But on the whole, if you limit your consumption of alcohol to one drink daily for women or two drinks daily for men, you are also reducing the risks for certain types of cancers.  Not to mention other alcohol related disorders.
• Be Physically active.  Take a walk daily. Ride a bike.  Dance.  Do something that gets the pulse rising and the sweat flowing.  These things are good for so many parts of your body, and they actually feel good too!  Be active – Be healthy!
• Keep your body weight under control.  OK…  I know it’s hard to keep this one as written, but if I can rewind back to this point at the age of 50, you should be able to maintain it easily if you start younger.  The goal – according to researchers – is to stay within 10 pounds of what you weighed at the age of 18.  But at least work to keep your Body Mass Index (BMI) under 25.  If you’re not familiar with BMI, you can get an estimated value on this web site, and if it’s over 25, get it down!
• New studies show that hormone replacement therapy can be linked to cervical and other cancers.  If you MUST take hormones, limit your use to five years.
• Eat right.  Not just to avoid cancer, but for general health.  A balanced diet with the right mix of carbohydrates, proteins, fibre and fruit is critical to overall health and well being.  Simply reducing (not eliminating) red meat can make a difference in the risks of certain cancers.  Include color in your diet.  Green, red, yellow, and so on.  And limit the use of processed foods.  But and prepare FRESH whole foods.  Raw fruit and nuts are great fillers for snack time, and you’ll not only be healthier, but you can also lose weight with the right diet, so you’ll look healthier as well.
• Work with your doctor if you have a history of cancer in your family.  Genetic markers are getting to be well known and if there is cancer in your family medical history, you may be at higher risk.  New treatments and tests are showing up regularly that will ensure that your risks are lowered.  And if you’re not getting the support of your doctor – ASK!

Mostly common sense…  and ALL supported by medical reports and studies over the years.  And more coming daily!  Make healthy choices and you WILL live longer and healthier.  Sure…  you might still get a major illness, but at least your odds are better of survival if you do.

To your health!

It seems that that video is not working properly or has been taken down.  If I find it again I will repost the story, but in the meantime, you can read more on Yahoo News.