When Lora Scantling’s stepfather was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2014, she decided to start a project to honor him and his fight against cancer.
She shared her story in a post on Facebook with the intention of finding children who were facing the same battle, and the responses were overwhelming.
Since then, she has photographed dozens of boys and girls in their fight against the disease. But three little girls stood out from the rest: friends Ainsley Peters (5), Rylie Hughey (5), and Rheann Franklin (6).
Rheann Franklin was battling a brain tumor, Ainsley was fighting leukemia, and Rylie Hughey was battling kidney cancer when their photos were taken.
Ainsley’s mother says the photo is particularly poignant because it “provides a beautiful outlook on a terrible battle.”
Reunited a year later
One year after the initial photo was taken, the three little friends reunited to recreate the image.
At that point, they were all in treatment and on the mend. Ainsley and Rylie’s hair had begun to grow back. Rheann was free from the brain tumor, but she was told her hair would never grow back.
Although all three girls had officially survived cancer, Scantling decided she wanted to continue photographing them.
She said it was her plan to update the iconic image every year, making it an annual tradition.
Inspiring others
We understand why the girls continue to inspire people around the world with this terrible disease.
Unfortunately, Scantling’s own stepfather passed away in the years following the first photoshoot, but she continues to draw strength from her courageous models.
In 2018, however, the girls gained another companion.
Three-year-old Connor Lloyd had been diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and since Scantling was Lloyd’s family photographer, she decided to invite him to the studio.
“Sometimes you never know how much time you have,” she explained to her mother.
According to Scantling, some people have forgotten the original purpose of the photos, as all three girls are in remission.
“Connor will continue treatment for another three years, yet he is always so happy and brave. Like the girls, he is an inspiration.”
This brings tears to our eyes. So beautiful and strong. We wish them all the best in the future.
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