Flashes Of Hope For Kids With Cancer - Featured On Nbc17 Raleigh, Nc

Posted on February 20th, 2009 by Shirley Min

Dozens of kids in the U.S. are diagnosed with cancer every day and one organization is trying to reach every single one of them.

Flashes of Hope is a non-profit that captures uplifting portraits of kids fighting cancer.

"They're just amazing. They take the punches and keep on rolling," said Kim Conard, Co-Director of Flashes of Hope's Triangle Chapter.

And 6-year-old Will Duncan's had his fair share of those punches.

"It was quite a shock to us to go from being quote, unquote ‘normal' one day, to the next day dealing with cancer, you know, in your child's life," said Will's mom Shawn Duncan.

Diagnosed with leukemia at age 3, Will's looking at another 10 months of treatments.

But instead of a treatment Thursday, Will enjoyed the spotlight during a photo session at the North Carolina Children's Hospital, thanks to Flashes of Hope.

"You see the child, you don't see the disease. You see that no matter what, they're still a kid," said Conard.

Relying on donations and photographers who volunteer their time and services, the non-profit's able to capture thousands of kids on film each year.

Three-year-old Hailey had a tumor on her kidney and is undergoing 18 weeks of chemo.

For mom Jo Tysor, these pictures are just what the doctor ordered.

"She's been through so much in the last five months. We're actually near the end of her treatment and to have these pictures taken at the end, it's kind of like, it's rewarding for me," said Jo Tysor.

"You can look back and just say, 'Wow, look where we've been to where we are now,'" added Conard.

Nationally, the organization is able to photograph about 3,000 kids a year.

Our local chapter partners with the North Carolina Children's Hospital and has shot portraits of more than 160 kids in the Triangle.

And the parents get all the pictures free of charge.

Flashes of Hope relies on donations.