The Art of Photography Helps Kids With Cancer

I saw a story on NBC a few nights ago and knew I had to share it here. It was about a foundation that understands the power of art-making for kids living with cancer.

The Pablove Foundation began in January 2011 as a way to raise money for pediatric cancer research. Like most foundations of this nature, it was formed in the wake of a death. After Pablo Thrailkill Castelaz died at age 6 from cancer, his parents began the foundation in his name.

“The Pablove Shutterbugs program (part of the foundation) teaches children living with cancer to develop their creative voice through the art of photography and we have contributed to child life programs at children’s hospitals across the country.”

These kids are given (to keep!) camera equipment, take an 8 week workshop, and they participate in an annual gallery showing of their work.

The program began in LA, has spread to New York, with more areas being added in the future as the foundation grows, and there are also camps and intensive workshops as alternatives to the original 8 week program.

Although fairly new, it’s generating a bunch of press and support. They were able to present three doctors with childhood cancer research grants totaling $150,000 last year. As I read through their site I developed chills thinking about all of the work and love this couple has poured into growing their foundation.

I was looking through the photos and imagining these kids working with professional photographers, being encouraged to express themselves and capture moments in their lives. The excitement that comes from having your work shown in a gallery- as a child- must be mind blowing! It is as an adult.

The fact that they go above and beyond the traditional charity to breathe adventure and creativity into what could be a horribly depressing undertaking is brilliant. And inspiring.

Learn more about the Pablove Foundation and Pablove Shutterbugs by clicking on the links within this post.