York Hospital’s Living Well Event with Joan Lunden

Last Thursday I had the honor of photographing the York Hospital Pink Pals’ Evening with Joan Lunden at Portsmouth Harbor Events. The Pink Pals are four incredible women who have worked with all of their hearts to create programs and initiatives to support women who are experiencing breast cancer. From creative expression, nutritional counseling, strength classes, massage, emotional support, all the way to providing financial assistance, genetic testing, wigs, and camisoles – these four women work non-stop to find ways to provide an environment that is conducive to healing and love.

The Pink Pals are Cathy Barnhorst, Barbara Conda, Ellen Baldwin, and Leslie Ware – and all are the sweetest an most open women. They were so gracious every step of the way and you can truly tell that this is the life work they were meant to do.

I photographed a similar event for the Pink Pals many years ago where the high energy fashion show took center stage but this year they had guest speaker Joan Lunden (the co-host of Good Morning America for seventeen years and author of eight books) who spoke to the crowd with her moving and inspiring re-telling of her journey with breast cancer and how through the power of positive thought and tapping into that strength inside of her, she beat breast cancer and has come out from the experience wiser and even more inspired to support women in all stages of life.

To close the night, we were treated to a song by the multi-talented Ayla Brown who is as gracious and smart as she is beautiful. Her song, “Let Love In” was a great way to end a beautiful night!

I photographed the event to honor two amazing women in my life, Cat Demello-Fitzgerald and Gena Edmunds, who also have battled against breast cancer – and I send my love and strength to all women who face adversity whether it be breast cancer or any life obstacle. We are stronger than we ever imagined we could be and have the capability to do things we never knew was possible – it just takes listening to that inner warrior inside us all.

Master of Ceremonies: Randy Price
Event Location: Portsmouth Harbor Events
Lighting: Event Lighting Concepts
Dinner: Chef Stephen Harding
Auctioneer: Gail Huff Brown
Fashion: Irresistibles