January 2012

Beth Bell, Friend, Lung Cancer
Flurries of Hope

One cold January day, Pennsylvania social worker Beth Andres Bell, MSW, of Main Line Health System's Bryn Mawr Hospital and her patient, Rebecca Mayer, ventured out into the snow for a photo shoot. One of the resulting shots, Flurries of Hope, is featured on the cover and January page of the 2011-2012 Expressions of Hope calendar.

After going through radiation, chemo and surgery for Stage 3A non-small-cell lung cancer, Rebecca discovered a strength and inner beauty within herself. “I spent six years in college for painting and art therapy and have always liked black and white photography, but have never really like pictures of myself,” says Rebecca. “I always worried what other people thought and I thought I didn't look right…my cancer changed all of that. I told Beth that I wanted to do black and white photos of what I call my ‘Baldylocks' look. So on that very snowy January day, she took my favorite pictures of me…ever!”

“We had the best time, and Rebecca is an amazing fighter and full of hope,” Beth says. “I think this picture really captures her strength, vision and hope.”

Check out Rebecca's writings about her cancer journey at http://chemochickthecancerexperience.blogspot.com.

More information about the Expressions of Hope calendar is available at www.cancer.net/expressionsofhope.