the aguas family {davie family photographer}

This was a very sweet and special family session yesterday. I met Taryn years ago when I first met my husband, and had not seen her in years until yesterday. Taryn has been battling Stage 4 breast cancer since the beginning of this year, with a 20% chance to live 5 years. She has a very aggressive type of cancer, but is battling and fighting this disease so that she can be there for her beautiful children and husband. She has started a new treatment regime recently, which may cause her to lose her hair, and we wanted to fit this family portrait session in while she was feeling okay and before her hair began to fall out. She put on a great front for the session, only to have pain and exhaustion afterwards. She is a strong woman, wife, and mother, who is doing everything she can to beat this.

Unfortunately, only 14% of breast cancer funding goes to research with most going to early detection. Taryn did her due diligence with her mammogram, but it did not catch the small mass that then spread to her brain, scalp, neck, ribs, lungs, liver, back, pelvis, and hips. Women need more options for treatments, and this requires more funding for breast cancer research. There are many places to donate for breast cancer if you are able and interested in doing so, and Taryn’s husband, Nelson, and their children are also raising funds through Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, to support critical research for breast cancer and to provide services for people trying to cope with the disease. They will be walking in Taryn’s honor on October 23rd. Please help them reach their fundraising goal in support of this wonderful family, in support of Taryn, and in support of all women who are battling with breast cancer. You can click here to visit Nelson’s fundraising page and make a donation. Thank you!! xoxo