Ryder’s Striders Cystic Fibrosis Walk 2011

Ryder was diagnosed with Cycstic Fibrosis through a routine heel- prick blood screening when he was born. His parents, Raven and Britt are one of my bridal couples from a few years ago, and they asked if I would join them in covering their Great Strides walk for a cure in Huntington Beach last weekend. It was on the books for six months and I couldn't wait to be a part of such a special event in their lives.

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide). A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections and obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food. * About 1,000 new cases of cystic fibrosis are diagnosed each year. * More than 70% of patients are diagnosed by age two. * More than 45% of the CF patient population is age 18 or older. * The predicted median age of survival for a person with CF is in the mid-30s.

To learn more about how you can help, please go to http://www.cff.org
Ryder\'s Striders Cystic Fibrosis Walk 2011

James & PJ / NOH8

We met for our shoot at Shutters in Santa Monica on a pristine evening. The skies were clear, the sand was as soft as talc, all seemed right in the world. Except for one thing. They couldn't stay much longer to enjoy it's grace. James & PJ married in Canada the week prior, and were heading to live in London. PJ is from Poland and cannot be a citizen by marriage, as the laws don't recognize gay marriage. Jame is a United States Citizen. His mother is his champion. His sister is his rock. PJ is his love, but their family is separated by an ocean until the laws change. This is only possible through awareness. It is my hope you can see in James & PJ not a gay couple, but a couple who is very simply, in love.

Lou’s Journey Continues to Make a Difference

Yesterday my neighbor told me the slide-show Lou's Journey inspired her niece to have her own chemo hair-cutting party celebrating the life and love within her treatments, surrounded by loved ones. Her niece is 26.

The past few years have been a time of reflection and growth as my dear sister, Lou, (our mothers don't know it but we must be blood related...) ventured through the dizzying sea of the C-Word. Diagnosis, Chemo, and recovery, had us all chasing our tails for the answers we were convinced in one remedy or another. Yet after her treatments, hair loss, and all the self help Cancer strategy manuals on the planet, we discovered one truly valuable insight for anyone facing the challenge of Cancer. You've heard it a million times, "mind over matter", Cliche'? Perhaps, but it was how Lou approached her diagnosis which was a lesson I will carry forever. She called me and said, "Bring it on! It's a whole new experience I've never had and we might as well make this interesting!". As we went through her treatments, she welcomed my camera as our escort, our friend, our weapon, our advocate...I found myself shooting the strangest things, wigs on stands, angels overlooking the chemo chairs, chemicals going into her body.

Although we created Lou's Journey a while ago, (she is now recovered with a thick gorgeous head of hair), it seems that weekly I hear of a friend who's loved one or friend is newly diagnosed with this journey no one would purchase a ticket for. As Lou and I were keeping this slide-show mainly for friends and Cancer patients, it is now a story we are sharing without limit, with hopes that it can continue to help others who could use a little encouragement, to see that although 'mind over matter' may or may not cure, it certainly does allow one to create memories along this path filled with love and laughter, inspiration and courage. Everyone may wrangle their diagnosis differently, however Lou made a choice to do so with a golden lasso, and I am forever honored to call her my friend.

Lou's Journey: