CANDICE - In March 2015, at age 34, this veteran dancer of 26 years, kick-boxer, and healthy-lifestyle advocate (csmithfitness on youtube), learned first hand that “cancer does not discriminate” and “no one is immune to it.” Candice’s zest for life and motivation have already seen her through a double mastectomy and will help her finish her treatment in July 2015. Candice started thinking about helping others immediately. Tapping into her quirky, fun-loving, passionate personality, Candice is educating women about the importance of early detection. Candice wants women to know that they can and should “feel good about their bodies no matter what they have been through.”
CASSIE - This 19-year old was first diagnosed at age 4 with a Stage 4 Wilms Tumor (a type of cancer that starts in the kidneys). A kidney removal and eight months of radiation and chemotherapy left her small, young body bowed and bent, though her spirit remained unbroken. Fifteen years later, this self-confessed lover of jellyfish is in college, studying to be a doctor. When Cassie’s not reading her chemistry books, you might find her in a small cafe with pink carnations on the neck strap of her baritone saxophone, working to inflate lungs that have only 70% capacity. Cassie knows all too well “how cancer affects you for the rest of your life” and wants others to know that “scars and an awkward body” do not define you. She is involved with the Relay-For-Life at her campus and is hoping to be able to help other young cancer survivors “accept and love themselves as they are.”
INDIGO -This Bombshell was pursuing a career in medicine when, she was diagnosed with metastatic thyroid cancer. Her cancer treatment has included surgery, radiation, daily hormone replacement and fertility preservation via egg harvesting. Cancer changed Indigo's career path but it did not alter Indigo's drive, determination, or ability to dream. Now four years after diagnosis, Indigo describes herself as a pink hair wigged artist-entrepreneur by night, and as a lab-coated scientist by day. She is working to spread her message of “sexy-survivorship". Indigo is using her knowledge and her voice to help survivors, especially adolescent and young adults, to understand that they “have lost nothing” to cancer because each survivor's identity, their sexiness, and empowerment, “is all still right there…we just need to reach out and grab it. I am working to show, mentor and celebrate 'sexy-survivorship'."
JENNIFER - Think fit. Think fight. Think Jennifer. This spirited mother of two was in the best shape of her life when she was diagnosed, at age 35, with stage 2B invasive ductal carcinoma breast cancer. Through her double mastectomy, eight chemotherapy cycles, 30 rounds of radiation, and Herceptin treatments until October 2015, this fitness competitor and hair stylist was determined to remain active. She exercised, she ate healthy, and never let anyone tell her she could not do it. Now 36, Jennifer plans to put her hairstyling talents to work helping women transition through the hair loss that accompanies treatment. Jennifer’s message is simple: “Take care of yourself. Be strong, fight and try to live as normal a life as possible.”
JULIET - When Juliet discovered she had Stage 3 breast cancer in 2008, most of her family was still thousands of miles away in West Africa. With two small children under the age of 4 at the time and her husband, the then-34-year old Juliet was determined not simply to survive but to thrive. Following a mastectomy and many rounds of chemotherapy and radiation, Juliet decided to help make surviving breast cancer a real possibility in Africa. Through her Courage To Dare foundation (www.couragetodare.org), Juliet is helping to eliminate the barriers to treatment by providing accurate and up-to-date information on cancer prevention, diagnoses, treatment and management. She makes a personal journey to Nigeria and other parts of Africa each year. “As a survivor, I dare to see a different future for my continent… AFRICA and women world over.” In 2014, Juliet embarked on new, bold effort — to represent the plight of African women and other women of diverse races, cultures, religions and worldviews living in today’s world who have battled Breast Cancer but have no voice. This Love, Twelve Bombshell is changing lives and restoring hope from Texas to Africa.
KAI - Diagnosed 6 short months after being graduated from college with a primitive neuroectodermal tumor (a rare childhood cancer), this then 23-year-old dancer decided to help other young cancer survivors first. Before starting chemotherapy, Kai donated her flowing raven locks to provide hairpieces to others. Kai then underwent 12 months of inpatient chemotherapy infusions and electron-beam radiation. One year, part of two ribs, and a mesh insert later, Kai was cancer-free and determined to help others in their fight. She’s spent much of her time since then raising funds for cancer research and to provide support for patients and caregivers. She is looking forward to celebrating her ten-year anniversary, and becoming a Love, Twelve Bombshell, “to show others that you do have the strength and attitude to go from one of the most difficult, least physically confident points in your life to one of the most strikingly gorgeous and empowering points in your life!”
MEAGHAN - This fun-loving ocean conservation policy wonk chose to swim, onward and upward, through the murky depths of Stage 2b, triple-positive, invasive ductal breast cancer. Diagnosed at age 32, Meaghan had 15 months of chemotherapy, a single mastectomy, then 5 weeks of daily radiation as well as daily hormone therapy and ovarian suppression shots which will go on for years. Now 35, and despite decreased range of motion, Meaghan continues to swim, rising with the tide. She is President of the Bay Area Young Survivors, a local San Francisco, California support group with over 300 members, where she facilitates conversations about diagnosis, treatment, self-care and survivorship and organizes events on mitigating side-effects through complementary care options. She is also a staunch advocate, challenging the government to mandate removing toxins from our household products and to stop carcinogens from being used in hydro-fracking energy extraction. Meaghan strives to be a “source of hope and light for all women” who come after her.
How you can get involved
Please direct your attention to the giant wall of rewards to the right with dollar amounts attached. The rewards are great, but more than that, every dollar you spend goes to creating a once in a lifetime experience for 12 inspiring cancer thrivers and creating the 2016 Love, Twelve calendar.
Want examples? $5? You just bought a case of water for one of the shooting days to quench the thirst of our crew, glam squad and bombshell. $25? You just bought the 5 yards of fabric we need for Juliet’s shoot. $100? You just bought the crystal beads we need for Cassie’s dress (to match her shoes, of course!) $1000? You just sponsored a bombshell's shoot.
If you can’t support us with dollars then your enthusiasm and support is equally valuable - tweet, Facebook, tumblr, Instagram, Linkedin, or email about this project as much as you can. Don’t be afraid to use morse code, send a raven or show off your mad skill at smoke signals. Talk about it with friends and associates at work, use this campaign as an excuse to ask a friend to lunch to catch up and tell them about it, or as a reason to finally go flirt with that cute guy or gal at the dog park. Call your mother (and then tell her about us!). Spreading the word about the campaign is just as important! We’re so thankful for any support you can offer during our campaign.