THE PROBLEM
Each year, over 10,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in North Carolina (over 250,000 in the entire United States). Out of those diagnosed with early stage (I or II), 36% of these women will undergo a mastectomy; the number rises with the stage at diagnosis- 58% of those diagnosed with late stage (III or IV) will go under the knife- losing one or both breasts.
Breast cancer survivors are left with either a concave space where their breasts used to be or nipple-less reconstructed breasts. Either option also includes very noticeable scars- a brutal reminder of everything they've faced during treatment.
These scars can lead to a deeper feeling of negative self-image, anxiety and/or depression.
A BEAUTIFUL SOLUTION
Tattoos! Skilled tattoo artists can create amazingly realistic 3D Nipple tattoos for survivors who've chosen reconstruction. They can also craft intricate designs on a survivor's chest to either adorn or disguise the scars- often they can do so using imagery suggested by the survivor, giving the tattoo even more significance to the individual.
Quite simply, they can transform scars into art.
You can see some incredible examples HERE. These tattoos can be life-changing for survivors, allowing them to heal and move forward after what is typically the most harrowing time of their life.
I know this because I am a cancer survivor. In fact, that's my chest you see in the right hand picture above.
THE STUMBLING BLOCK FOR MANY SURVIVORS
The cost of cancer treatment (even if you're insured) can be devastating. Sometimes, insurance providers will provide coverage for 3D nipple tattoos for survivors who've chosen reconstruction. But, many don't - and they won't even consider covering the cost of a chest tattoo.
Tattoo costs for these types of pieces can range from $200-$1000+ depending on the area where you live and the skill level of the artist.
Cancer doesn't discriminate based on income and many survivors (already struggling with medical debt & other stressors) are unable to pay for a tattoo - one that could elevate their self-esteem, reclaim a part of their body that has felt lost or disconnected from them and serve as an incredibly powerful form of healing.
They may not even know where to begin when it comes to finding a skilled tattoo artist that has experience in working with scarred and/or radiated skin .
A LIGHT BULB MOMENT
I'm looking forward to getting 3D coloring on my reconstructed nipples from the amazing Tara Dunsmore of Pink Ink and even perhaps a more elaborate chest adornment of my mastectomy scars ever since my treatment ended. While researching artists & design options, I noticed comments in threads made by survivors who wanted this work done on themselves but couldn't possibly afford it.
I learned of a small handful of charities that offered help either in the form of a partial grant or were only available in certain cities on a certain day of the year. I heard from women who had been on waitlists for years- and those who couldn't even get on a waitlist anymore since the list had long since been closed.
Most powerfully, I learned that there were no assistance options here in my home state of North Carolina.
WHO WE ARE + WHY WE CARE
This is my husband, Jon (a handsome toxicologist), and I with our youngest daughter Stella. Together, we have 4 kids.
And together, our lives were turned upside down last May when I first learned I had Invasive Ductal Carcinoma...and shook up for good measure when we learned I also had kidney cancer during a pre-treatment PET scan.
He was by my side for most of my chemotherapy sessions (6 months!), multiple surgeries and all the craziness & chaos that comes with the big C.
Together, we knew we wanted to do something to help improve cancer survivors lives' as soon as I made it through treatment. We received so much kindness from care providers, families, friends and other patients, we felt compelled to pay that kindness forward. And when my light bulb moment happened, he was ALL IN with me.
THIS IS IT!
We want to form a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that will issue FULL grants to breast cancer survivors for transformative tattoos they wouldn't otherwise be able to afford starting right here in North Carolina- and expanding as awareness & donations grow.
We'll scout out tattoo shops to find skilled artists to work with our organization - artists with experience working with scarred and/or radiated skin.
The mission of our nonprofit is simple: To help cancer survivors turn their scars into art.
It's not just breast cancer survivors who live with scars from treatment. 1.7 million people in the US were diagnosed with cancer in 2016. Many of whom will also come out of treatment with one or more scars- from removal of the cancer itself (or the entire organ the cancer was found in) and/or from insertion of a port for chemotherapy infusions.
It is my plan that this nonprofit will grow enough in annual donations that we can expand not only beyond the borders of North Carolina- but also beyond breast cancer itself. My goal is to include tattoos for all survivors with scars- regardless of the type of cancer that necessitated surgery.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
There are 3 ways you can help us launch this nonprofit:
1. Become a founding sponsor by donating! It's easy and you'll get more than just a warm fuzzy feeling- but an actual reward. ;-)
2. Join our e-mailing list for updates and to communicate your willingness/availability for volunteering opportunities (or just let me know if you personally know a tattoo artist who would LOVE to be a part of this. Email me at [email protected].
3. SHARE SHARE SHARE - Put launch fundraising link (startsomegood/artfromscars) on whatever social media platform. Work for a corporation that loves good-spirited sponsorships? Let them know about this launch project! Know a journalist that's into spreading the word when it comes to charitable opportunities? Please do share the link and/or my contact info below.
Email: [email protected]
My business website: http://petrinahamm.com
YouTube: http://bit.ly/2vGUOWa
Facebook: http://facebook.com/PetrinaShows
Twitter: http://twitter.com/PetrinaShows
Instagram: http://instagram.com/PetrinaShows
