A few days ago I was privileged to capture the pain, beauty, and strength of a woman's journey with cancer. My brave friend, Lara MacGregor had to lose her hair 15 years ago when she was undergoing chemo therapy for breast cancer while pregnant. Seven years ago she was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer and in that time has lived life over cancer. However, recently her treatment has taken a turn with more aggressive chemo, and she has begun to lose her hair again. Lara has decided to get ahead of the hair loss by going forward with the difficult decision of shaving her head.
Along with her husband, she asked her teenage sons, Wills and Bennett, to help shave her head. They were a little nervous because they didn't want to nick their mom's head, but they were brave and did a great job. With her parents, and her brother's family by her side for support, they lifted her up with hugs and love.
At the end she wrapped her signature Hope Scarf around her head with such bravery and beauty. This moment was personally emotional for me because I know her story well, and have heard her tell it many times. It was 15 years ago that wrapping a scarf around her head that was gifted from another friend with breast cancer was the moment that sparked her now beautiful organization, Hope Scarves. Hope Scarves is a nonprofit organization that partners with survivors to share scarves, stories and hope with women facing cancer.
Lara is still active and working at Hope Scarves; but this time wrapped in a beautiful scarf, with the support of a family and many friends that love her so.
Love you Lara.