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Update! Read what Kathy has to say. Please scroll down...

Dear Kristina,

There are not enough words to express my gratitude and thanks for the wonderful gift of healing you have given me.. The portrait you painted of me during my journey with breast cancer will always remind me of the love, support, and strength that surrounds me always as I travel through this life. I am blessed and I know it!   

I have learned more about myself in the past year with breast cancer then ever before in my life. I’m a stronger woman, better wife, mother and grandmother, better sister and daughter, and friend to those I care so deeply about.

Drawing from all the positive resources in my life, my family, my friends, my faith in God, my medical providers, and those that have reached out to me from the goodness of their hearts wanting to share their stories and support have shown me a path to a greater healing of the body, mind and soul.

I am now in phase 3 of my breast cancer journey with major chemo and surgery under my belt; I start radiation and a trail chemo pill (Xeloda) this week for the next 7 weeks. Even though we, my husband Gordon and I have received good news from my post surgery pathology report – clean margins and only one lymph nod out of 21 was cancerous (HURRAH) we know that I will be dealing and receiving treatment of my cancer for the rest of my life... My surgeon, a great lady, told me that I just might out live my Oncologist (whom I might add is a very young man)...  

I count my blessings each day and try only to pull positive energy in my direction.

I must tell you that my son Corey, a 5th grade reading and writing teacher in Florida called me right up on the phone to tell me how wonderful your website was portriats4charity.org  … He was very excited about your website hopes to share with his students. 

Thank you again for taking the time to give a wonderful gift off support and love to me!  Your work is not only beautiful, it provides so much happiness to everyone who participates in your projects.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart,

Always, Roger Crowley’s little sister, Kathy

kathysmiling.JPG

 *Courtesy of "Roger" Crowley Photos
August 25th, 2008

Dear Kristina,

Roger Crowley’s little sister here – just wanted to share with you a picture that was taken at our summer place in Bayside, Maine over the weekend --- My husband Gordon had a mini celebration for me to mark the end of treatment!!!!  We had a few Bayside friends over – word of mouth invites spread through the community to just drop in and have a drink to celebrate our good news of not only the end of major radiation and chemo, but that my oncologist told me last week  -- that I can assume that I am cancer free--- very strong words that I made him repeat several times. Being estrogen negative I will be watched very closely for 3 years and on a chemo pill for the rest of my life … as small price to pay for a longer life…

I also shared with my bayside friends at the celebration the portrait you so graciously did of me and told them about your work and website portraits 4 charity.org. They were so impressed with your work and your generous spirit.

Thank you again for being a positive part of my journey …Always, Kathy

Dear Kathy,
What a great picture of you and your friends! There is no greater gift to give than that of a generous spirit! We are all in this life together. Your healing is part of a much bigger picture. I hope to meet you someday! Please continue to keep me posted. I was with your brother over the weekend for a photo walk. We had a wonderful time and I learned so much from him! I do cherish his friendship and generosity with my(our) mission. He is a gem! Continue to take care. xoxox, Kristina
*The children from *Superheroes: Muscular Dystrophy & Union Elementary project and Kristina's 3 & 5 year old children created the tissue designs in Kathy's portrait. Below, please read Kathy's positive support from others and the photograph that inspired this painting!
Kathy Ann Crowley Fuller has been diagnosed with IBC - Inflammatory Breast Cancer - in October 2007. Currently, she is undergoing treatment at the Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care in Augusta, ME and the Breast Health Research Center at Mercy Hospital in Portland Maine.

Get to know Kathy at her mother's website: ASK-MA; it is all about sex, politics, religion, recipes, humor and family. If you want to see pictures of Kathy growing up, click on the PHOTOS link and choose #3 -KIDS.

Kathy lives in Hallowell, ME with her husband Gordon. She was born in Bangor, Maine, and has nine siblings. Kathy is a proud parent of two children, Carl and Cory, and has two grandchildren as well.

Kathy sees this portrait as a positive step in the journey she is currently on. She wishes to let other women with breast cancer know there is an amazing network of positive souls helping each other in the U.S. and abroad.

When Kathy's brother, Roger, recently called her to say how beautiful she appears in the portrait she expressed the thought that she was not sure how anyone looking at her right now will think of her as beautiful. Kathy has not yet seen this portrait but she will be gifted with it on June 14th, her birthday. Others do, indeed, see Kathy as a beautiful person despite the changes she is experiencing on the outside.

On Thursday May 8th Kathy underwent a mastectomy, to be followed by more radiation and chemotherapy. When her treatment is over she no doubt will be a positive light in many more lives. Kathy is, indeed, a lovely person!

Our wish for Kathy is that we can help her get her message out on the Portraits for Charity website. She hopes to encourage others to share positive thoughts during their process of healing.  Kathy believes positive thinking is extremely important during the healing process and she is living proof of it!
 
What others have said about Kathy and her portrait:
 
(Roger Crowley: Photographer; Crowley Photos, Portraits for Charity™ contributor and Kathy's brother)
 
"Kristina, You made her look so beautiful - the way she looks at people is special and you captured it! I wouldn't want it any other way. I don't want to change a thing. It's Kathy. Later after she's beaten this cancer into the ground we'll all be able to look at the painting and remember when.
 
That little touch of gray only comes through with certain light and when it does it's a sober breath of reality. Other times you can't see the gray at all and she's stunning. I like the magic that happens between the light changes. It's a lot like my daily feelings for her and what she's going through. It's perfect! I see her beauty and a hint of her battle.
 
I told Kathy about your painting and she was thrilled and said she's "honored" to be on your website. I think you're doing amazing things and want to support you. I'm very appreciative of what you've done for me and my family and can't wait to share it with them".
 
(Dale Rutherford: RN, BA, C.Act. Nurse Manager)
 
"The portrait of Kathy is absolutely spiritually moving…Kathy is indeed beautiful. She has a calm serenity about her that is comforting and inviting. Kathy appears to be someone who can teach others if they are willing to seek her out for advice. You have done an incredible job making this woman’s portrait convey an unspoken message".
 
(Krista Bebezas is an Art Therapist in N.Y.C. who has a passion for working with children, adolescents, and adults using art to help people feel safe and comfortable in order to express themselves in a non-threatening way.)
 
"I am sure Kathy will love this.  It really is beautiful!  The resiliency of the human spirit and power of a positive outlook always amazes me. Enjoy your adventures as you continue to do what makes you happy. That’s a true gift to others".
 
(Breast Cancer Survivor)
 
"Wonderful colorful painting. Kathy probably has lots of support, but if she needs an e-mail pen pal who had breast cancer, give her my e-mail address.  I would be happy to keep in touch with her and help keep her spirits up".
 
(Jane Pincus: Fine Artist)
 
"Kathy is indeed beautiful!"
 
(Jim Applen: devoted father of two young sons)
 
"The title is almost as beautiful as Kathy and her portrait.  Awesome job".
 
(Pam: devoted mother of two young sons)
 
"It is beautiful here & in real life.  I love the way you're able to let your beauty flow from your heart to the canvas".

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Portraits for Charity™ Helping Charity one Portrait at a Time™
Founder; Kristina Applegate Lutes
Email: portraitsforcharity@gmail.com or lutesfarm@tds.net
Website: www.portraits4charity.org
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