Smiles stemming from HOPE

By Don Harness

STAFF WRITER

(Published Nov. 7, 1999)

 

Glamour session benefits cancer survivors' wall

 

It was smiles and glamour poses for the "Wall of Hope."

 

Only the actual sections of the wall of portraits of breast cancer survivors were missing from the Dixon portion of the Wall of Hope Breast Cancer Survivors' Project, supported by the Dixon Soroptimist Club.

 

But, eventually, the wall will be a mile long and represent survivors from every state in the nation.

 

Survivors were present at Dixon's Sutter West Medical Offices recently. They were joined by those who have not been afflicted with the disease to have a cosmetic makeover and private fashion photograph sitting.

 

They participated in a fund-raising effort by paying $29.95 for the special treatment and an 8-by-10-inch portrait of themselves. The breast cancer survivors also can have a photograph placed on the Wall of Hope.

 

The eventual goal is for the wall sections and survivors to come together in Washington, D.C., for a "Mile of Survival," according to Marilyn Gayler Axelrod, founder of the Davis-based project. She is a nine-year breast cancer survivor.

 

"It's a very healing thing to do," said Axelrod, explaining how glamour photographs make the women feel very special. "I've done the treatment three times and enjoy it myself."

 

Axelrod said Dixon was one of the last Northern California communities to support the Wall of Hope project. 

 

"Except for a similar session in Petaluma Nov. 13-14, we need to get out of state to make sure the wall gets to be a mile long through involvement from survivors in other states."

 

She said the level of makeup and photo sessions "is very professional."

 

More than 1,160 portraits of breast cancer survivors have been collected in California, with the state's wall stretching 162 feet so far. 

 

Dixon survivor Rebecca Scott is considering adding her photograph to it. She participated in the recent Soroptimist session. 

 

"It's very important to make everybody aware and give attention to their health and notice any difference in (the body) and catch cancer early to stand a better chance of becoming a survivor."

 

Scott was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1978 and was clear of the disease after a year of treatments.

 

"I didn't know what to expect," she said. "But I don't even think about my cancer anymore."

 

Dixon resident and Soroptimist member Patricia Yokom hasn't had cancer, but she noted that "all of us know somebody who has suffered from it."

 

During her turn at the makeover and photo session, Yokom declared the process was "really wonderful. We can look like we want as a femme fatale or for a more realistic look."

 

And Soroptimist member Linda Glantz, busy signing in session registrants, explained the focus was on breast cancer survival. 

 

"Early detection is growing and the wall growing is proof of that," she said. "And this is a chance for women to get together and feel great about themselves."

 

Breast cancer survivors and their supporters interested in the Nov. 13-14 Petaluma glamour photo sessions should call (530) 758-3505 to reserve a time.

 

Photo packages taken by Kelley Sweet during the Dixon sessions will be ready in mid-November, in time for holiday giving.

 

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