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Tonight I drove to Harrison, Ohio to meet with a girl named Danielle. A friend recommended that I contact her for my True Beauty project, saying that she would be great for it. Danielle was diagnosed with breast cancer in June. Within a few weeks of her diagnosis the progression of cancer had gotten worse. She has been going through treatments, including chemo, which she will be going to tomorrow. I met Danielle at a hair salon because tonight she shaved her head. As she walked into the salon, and I met her for the first time, she smiled at me. What a beautiful beaming smile she has. Behind her came a flock of support in the form of family and friends. It was amazing to see a room full of people all there for her at such an emotional time. As the hair stylist started speaking with Danielle the tears started to pour. I immediately felt myself well up. We all walked back to the chair where Danielle sat down and started to cry harder. She told the hair stylist to save as much hair as she could to donate it to Locks-of-Love. Then came the first cut... 
As the scissors started to cut, almost everyone in the room began to cry. This was more than hair. After her ponytail was gone the clippers began to buzz. She asked to turn the chair around so she couldn't look in the mirror. After a somber few minutes, her sister made a joke. And then, something beautiful happened. Her smile re-appeared... 
I took one True Beauty picture Before her haircut and one After. No matter the length of her hair, her beauty is measured from within. What a beautiful fighter she is! 
Both before and after *She is Beautiful!*
Almost immediately after standing up from the stylist's chair, her sister sat down... 
Danielle then watched as her sister, Tiffany, shaved her head in support. The emotions began to flood the room again. Both of these woman were amazingly beautiful and strong. Danielle has already shown great strength in her fight against breast cancer and will continue to do so with the support of her family and friends. 
Tiffany's hair was also donated. What amazingly beautiful ladies, inside and out! I feel honored to have been able to photograph them. They are Truly Beautiful!
29 Comments
Jenn harrison
10/16/2012 08:00:02 pm
Thank you so much for doing this story on Danielle! She is more than deserving of this! She is one of ye strongest women that I know! She's been that way before this fight started... She's never once lead anyone to believe she didn't love her life as a single mother! It is hard for her... But when you look at that smile, you can't see that! She has taught me many things about being strong... And this battle that she's going through now, is really opening my eyes that the small things that we stress about don't really matter! What matters is being happy! Even while youre fighting cancer!! She is an amazing woman and I'm so glad to see all of the supporters yesterday! It kills me to be so far away, but I know she's aware I was there in spirit! Thank you again for doing this story in this amazing beautiful woman and we brave sister! 10/16/2012 11:23:37 pm
Great post Jen! To me, this type of post is the heart of your project!
Tracey
10/17/2012 12:29:02 am
Thank you so much for sharing this amazing story of a brave young girl and the touching love of her sister. Danielle & Tiffany keep wearing those beautiful smiles . You girls truly show the love inside out with those smiles . Danielle I was so honored to meet you and Tiffany at your fight to win benefit and so touched by the outcome of family and friends who came out and supported you . We may not be able to fight this fight for you but you guarantee we will fight it WITH you . Keep fighting girl we are all here for you . Will be keeping you in thought and prayer .
candie
10/17/2012 01:07:02 am
So much for a young women to have to go through. Even though danni is so strong and brave on the outside, she still needs all our prayers and support to help her stay strong and beat this.
Missy
10/17/2012 01:55:05 am
These sisters are amazing. The closeness between them is remarkable. I was truly moved by the support Danielle's family and friends have shown.
kristen
10/17/2012 03:40:27 am
dani i am so proud of you. you are a strong girl and awesome mom sorry i cant always be there for you like i should you are doing a awesome job fighing this i have never ment a women who is as srtong as you are you are the most amazing loveing friend that anyone could ask for thanks foe everything you have done for me and i know now not to stress over the small stuff anymore bc there are more bigger thing to worry and stress about and for tiff she is the best sister ever happy that you have a sister like her :) i love you girly keep your head up and a smile on your face!!!!! :) 10/18/2012 03:55:02 am
Danielle, our thoughts and prayers have been with you since the beginning. You are as strong as you are beautiful. Thank you for asking my salon to be the one to take care of your hair needs and sending it to Locks of Love.We will be there for you as it grows back in. Remember it is just hair. You are BEAUTIFUL no matter what.
Tina, you are the best! You have always been so kind and caring to all your customers. Cathy McCabe
12/31/2013 06:41:24 am
Jennifer Bowe
10/18/2012 04:01:37 am
Thank you! She is a great example of a true beauty!!
Kate tolone
10/18/2012 11:35:54 pm
The bond between sisters is BEAUTIFUL and so are both of these ladies.
Karen tolone
10/18/2012 11:37:07 pm
Spell check did not like my name above... It's Karen not Kate
Jennifer Bowe
10/18/2012 11:39:27 pm
Lol I was wondering who Kate was! Sisters are the best! And this pair is nothing short of beautiful! :)
Lee Zellars
10/19/2012 12:15:42 pm
That's very touching with such deep feelings to see how sister/family is there to support each other. Means so so much! :)
Laura Kinnett
10/23/2012 01:45:50 pm
I first met Dani, when she began dating my nephew and became friends w/my daughter. We go to the same church and Dani is just as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. She is a giver, and now it's her time to accept some acts of kindness, help, whatever you want to call it, because she is very deserving of it, and will never forget it. Yes, she may have shed some tears, but she is such a strong person, she is going to beat the cancer and come out stronger and even more beautiful, on the other side.
DeeAnn
10/24/2012 02:21:49 am
I have always thought a lot of Dani. She is one of the strongest, hardworking, young Women & Single Mother that I have known. Her love for her Son is so uplifting and her family ties are tight. Dani, you Got This - I have no doubt !
Danielle
10/24/2012 10:25:15 am
Thank you all so much for your uplifting and encouraging words!!!! This fight would be so much harder without all the support that I have. Especially without the support, love, and care that my sister has given me. I truly don't know what I would do without her!! Thank you all for your support and prayers!! 12/29/2013 09:54:09 am
I must say that I personally have known both of these women since they were young. Although I live close to them, circumstances have dictated that I not get a chance to speak with either of them lately. I want to tell Dani, that I have never forgotten the day you guys picked me up from that awful place. And to her and Tiffany, I thank you both for showing me that there is a different life out there and that I'm so proud of you both. Tonight I will shave my head as well. I want you both to know you may contact me anytime you need any help. I have no restraints anymore. I'd be honored to your friend again.
Danielle Chaney
12/29/2013 11:53:13 am
Bobby, add me on fb I can't find you.
Alishia Stillwell
12/29/2013 12:06:49 pm
I think you ladies are gorgeous with or without your hair. I pray everyday that cures can be found, but until then Im happy to cut my for anyone who cannot grow hair or its falling out. Cancer is a demon and must fight it back and never give up.
Tiffany
12/29/2013 12:29:52 pm
Thank you everyone!!! I would do anything for my sister and not think twice about it. I can't find him either Danni.
Lela Ingram
12/29/2013 09:04:51 pm
True beauty is never what we all see, its not the clothes we wear, the house we live in nor the car we drive. Its not the 0s behind our bank account nor the job we have. Its what is in our hearts what we do for others. Its the unconditional support, it is love. II will think of you everyday and youre story will remind me to always love. Beautiful lady.
great person
12/29/2013 09:05:36 pm
Now she is always helping other people My brother have heart surgery she help his benifit. A friends son got sick she was there to help again. Danille is a greatperson Iinsidecand out. The world is a better place with her in it. 12/30/2013 10:01:21 am
This is such an awesome story. My hats off to you ladies. I am sending prayers to you Danielle. You are truly an inspiration. My mom lost her fight to breast cancer almost 5 years ago. She made it 10 years after her diagnosis. Please don't give up hope because hope is the only thing that kept her going along with family and friends support. Hair is just hair my dear. Now you don't have to worry about brushing and styling it. LOL. If you choose, you can be whatever color you want when you want and not have to pay $100 to change the color. Keep on smiling because you are beautiful, inside and out.
Carolyn McClure
12/30/2013 10:03:56 am
This was me in 2000. May God be with you thru this ruff time. He carried me thru. My prayer are with you
me
12/30/2013 10:04:32 am
What a beautiful story
Melanie
12/30/2013 12:18:21 pm
What a beautiful story !!!! Best Wishes to you and your sister ,How great to have a sister like her .
Hey my sister in health! if you need anything or have any questions please contact me. i have resources that can help! look me up on FB. I also lived in Harrison OH too! You can beat this! take care, and remember rest is healing, one day at a time!
12/31/2013 12:45:03 am
11/24/2017 11:37:43 pm
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