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Causes: Cancer, Health, Patient & Family Support, Pediatrics
Mission: Flashes of Hope brightens the lives of children with cancer and life-threatening illnesses through a national photography program, special events and by investing in childhood cancer research. Flashes of Hope exists to help children fighting cancer in the following ways: • Improves the self-esteem of pediatric cancer patients while forever preserving their grace, dignity and beauty; • Allows patient supporters see a child, not a disease; • Brings comfort to hospitalized children through carefully chosen gifts; • Brings hope to their families by supporting pediatric cancer research.
Results: Since 2001, we have had the privilege of photographing more than 75,000 children in 50 cities, each one leaving an indelible imprint on our volunteers and organization.
Target demographics: children fighting cancer and life-threatening illnesses
Direct beneficiaries per year: 5,500 children and their families
Geographic areas served: pediatric children's hospitals nationwide
Programs: Flashes of Hope hosts free, monthly professional photo shoots, giving families an enduring image of their child’s courage, beauty and dignity. The photo shoots and portraits offer patients an experience that helps to restore their identity and self-esteem that is often lost to the disease and treatment regimen. Along with the photo shoot, patients are given gift bags with comfort and distraction items to address the monotony and isolation of an extended hospitalization. Volunteer photographers, stylists and photo shoot assistants transform hospital floors into professional studios to photograph children with their family. Stylists carefully apply makeup, often teaching teenage girls how to re-create eyebrows lost to chemotherapy and help children and family members look and feel their best. Once in front of the camera, uncertainty gives way to joyful smiles.
This organization's nonprofit status may have been revoked or it may have merged with another organization or ceased operations.