2008 Survivor Video

Focused on a Cure now has it's own YouTube channel. We hope to post videos from our survivor sessions and our annual survivor video. You can find us by searching for "IPSurvivors."

At our Survivor party last year, we played a video that we put together of excerpts from our survivors' stories. It became a very emotional video, displaying each woman's portrait with her impactful words. We wanted to share it with you. It's our first video on our channel. We hope you'll enjoy it! Click here to view the video.

Rita Sutton

During last week's casting call, Renda and Tara had the opportunity to photograph Rita Sutton. She is currently battling breast cancer and wanted to document this time in her life.



The following is Rita's story:

I was diagnosed with breast cancer on September 5th, 2008, and the world as I knew it changed forever. I have always been a carefree, fun-loving girl who looked at the world with a glowing sense of optimism. When you receive such a blow, it takes some time to get your hands around the process. During such times, fear can easily replace hope. But with the help of a loving, supportive husband and daughter, great family and friends, the sun is shining again - especially on the inside.



I have learned to ask new questions. Specifically, how do I interject fun into every aspect of my already meaningful life? I only need to look a few feet in front or to the sides of me. This is where I can find those I love the most - my family. Our close, tight-knit unit has now been woven into one of my husband's famous apple pies. Life is sweet. -Rita Sutton



Thanks, Rita, for sharing your story with us. We hope it will inspire other women battling breast cancer to stay optimistic!

Hopes for 2009

We were impressed with how well our first year of Focused on a Cure went. We never imagined that our exhibit would travel to different locations for 15 weeks! We had a total of seven survivors and we made an incredible bond with each of them. 

But we've raised our goals. We hope for MORE in 2009! We're looking for 15 new survivors - of all ages and races! And this year, we hope to have a opening event to unveil the exhibit.

Now we need your help! If you're a survivor or know a survivor, tell them about Focused on a Cure. Direct them to our website and blog. Tell them to call us or email us at Renda@irresistibleportraits.com. 

It's therapeutic to talk about what you've been through and to tell your story. And why not inspire someone else? Telling how you made it through your battle with breast cancer can give hope to someone currently going through the same battle.

We look forward to hearing from you and spreading more awareness!

Divina Cook

Last week, we had the honor of photographing Divina Cook, a breast cancer survivor. She was full of positive energy and has such a great outlook on her situation.

Divina said she always knew she was strong, but never realized how strong until she was diagnosed with cancer. "I have not shed a tear and I found myself handling the news with humor. With each misadventure, I'd turn to my husband, laugh and say, 'And the laughs just keep coming.'"

When Divina's hair started to come out by the hand full, her daughter had a party while she shaved her mother's head. "First she shaved down the middle and said I looked like the comic Gallagher. We did comb overs like balding men. We laughed so much I was peeing my pants."

Divina brought all her wigs with her to the portrait session. So... we had some fun!

Thank you, Divina, for sharing your story. Your positive outlook brightens the room! Thanks for letting us goof around too! We had a great time!