The SCAR Project: Breast Cancer is NOT a Pink Ribbon
When I saw this post by my Auntie Paula on her Facebook wall, I was already in the know of understanding that the "pink ribbon" makes it cute to show your support. The reality of breast cancer survivors is the scars.
One of my nieces' mothers is a survivor of breast cancer and she is undergoing massive amounts of reconstructive surgeries on her breast. Her scars are not as neat as the women in this beautiful gallery are but with it being the 21st century, my hope is they will be.
My mother survived cervical cancer when I was 17. I remember vividly how weak she was after her hysterectomy. My pursuit to live a healthy lifestyle is a result of the fear I felt when she told me.
There is one photo in this gallery that made me tear up. As a woman, I wear both my breast proudly. They are a sign of my womanhood. It seems I felt this one woman's release in allowing herself to be photographed and seen in all her amazing beauty. She is indeed beautiful...the ugly stain of breast cancer couldn't cover that up.
Dedicated to the more than 10,000 women under the age of 40 who will be diagnosed this year alone The SCAR Project is an exercise in awareness, hope, reflection and healing. The mission is three-fold: Raise public consciousness of early-onset breast cancer, raise funds for breast cancer research/outreach programs and help young survivors see their scars, faces, figures and experiences through a new, honest and ultimately empowering lens.
The SCAR Project subjects range from ages 18 to 35 and represent the often overlooked group of young women living with breast cancer. (Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in young women ages 15-40). They journey from across America and the world to be photographed for The SCAR Project. Nearly 100 so far. The youngest 18.
Although Jay began shooting The SCAR Project primarily as an awareness raising campaign he was not prepared for something much more immediate . . . and beautiful: “For these young women, having their portrait taken seems to represent their personal victory over this terrifying disease. It helps them reclaim their femininity, their sexuality, identity and power after having been robbed of such an important part of it. Through these simple pictures, they seem to gain some acceptance of what has happened to them and the strength to move forward with pride.”
