A picture might be worth a thousand words, but a gallery full of photos can tell countless stories — and the exhibit at the University Mall does just that.
The experiences of six teenage cancer survivors are currently on display in the form a compilation of photos as part of an event titled “I CANcer: a photo journey.”
A reception for the artists was held Wednesday evening, while the exhibit will remain open through Sunday.
With the aid of camera donations and a few special workshops in the art of photography, the young patients took part in monthly support groups that began almost nine months ago. After a number of meetings and plenty of photos later, the teenagers found themselves in high spirits as they continued their bouts with cancer.
“We used the photos to build discussion and let them build support for each other,” said Jessica Irven, a recreational therapist at the North Carolina Children’s Hospital. “It’s less awkward to show and tell than to sit around, stare at each other and tell.”
After a colleague of hers learned of a similar program that seemed to be effective at a hospital in New York City, Irven decided to implement the support group at the children’s hospital. Upon receiving funds from The N.C. Children’s Promise, a fundraising campaign run by the hospital, the project took off.
“The photos were really used as a tool,” said Danielle Bates, communications manager at the hospital. “The photos were uploaded to a screen and the team would discuss what that represented in their cancer journey. Over time it just kept evolving, and here we are.”
Morrow Toomey, a junior at Chapel Hill High School, said her father and sister were both keen on photography, but it wasn’t something she hadn’t considered before.
“It’s been really nice — a different way to express the feelings we have,” Toomey said. “The way we’ve been able to talk about the different things we’ve gone through has really helped us connect.”
