Lil’ Hannah

One night I was checking my work emails and came across one from someone who sounded very familiar:

Hi Sara,

This is Karen, you made the trip out to Abbotsford a couple of years ago to take photos of our family.  They turned out great.
Since your such a great photographer I was wondering if you would consider donating your servies for a good cause.  I work for the BC Lions Society for Children with Disabilities aka Easter Seals and my responsibility is direct marketing.  I have an upcoming campaign and I’m looking for some really great shots of a five year old girl who is currently ungoing cancer treatment.  We would like to use her story and photo’s in our campaign and could use a professional touch regarding photos.  Is this something you would consider?  It wouldn’t take much of your time and she’s staying right in Vancouver at Easter Seals House.  Please check out our website at www.lionsbc.ca and let me know if your are interested.

Best regards,
Karen

Before I even finished the email I was thinking “Yes, yes, yes!!!!” I didn’t even hesitate and was thoroughly honoured to have been asked. Before I knew it I was talking to Hannah’s mom and we set up a date to meet.
When I arrived at the Easter Seals’ House I knocked on Hannah’s room door and was greeted by her mom. Behind mom I saw an ADORABLE little girl in the cutest outfit holding a very colorful picture.
Now for those who know me well, they know that I love kids! I love love love love love kids!!! It doesn’t matter if it is my nephews, my friends kids, or kids I meet for the first time at a shoot – kids and I instantly click!
I introduced myself, to which Hannah shyly hid behind mom. Since I was a bit early, mom needed a couple of minutes to get ready so I offered to wait downstairs. I told Hannah that I would wait for them to which she quickly replied “No, stay here ” And then with the biggest smile EVER she proceeded to tell me about the picture she drew.

Mom said Hannah was asked to draw a picture about the Easter Seals’ House and that is exactly what she did. Bright and colorful and surrounded by beautiful flowers and apple trees. That is how Hannah envisions her home away from home.
Now when I responded to Karen’s email with a “yes“, I asked for a little bit of info on Hannah and this is what she replied with:

As for the little girl, her name is Hannah and her medical journey started on March 17th of this year with a trip to the ER in Prince George.  She was then transferred by Air Ambulance to Children’s Hospital to discover she has stage 4 Wilm’s Tumor with metastases to the lungs and liver.  She’s currently undergoing 31 weeks of chemotherapy and is scheduled for surgery and radiation as well.  Hannah and her mother are living at Easter Seals House during her treatment.

Now when I met Hannah we decided to go to the park to play and snap some shots. She was an absolute blast to talk to and play with. Her park favorites were the slide and the tire swing. Oh that tire swing. I was getting dizzy just watching her spin around on that thing and all she kept shouting was “More, faster, more faster!” A gorgeous girl with the most beautiful eyes, a contagious smile, a great sense of humour and an absolute ball full of energy is how I would describe this lil’ girl!

Hanging out with her was truly an inspiration and it got me thinking that I would love to donate more of my time at Easter Seals (click for more info if you would be interesting in donating)!!! It is such a fantastic organization!!

Thank you Karen for contacting me and making it possible for me to meet such a fabulous little girl. To Hannah & mom, thanks so much for meeting with me and hanging out!

Here are some of my favourites from the day: