Surviving breast cancer is one of the most powerful triumphs a person can endure, especially when the National Cancer Institute estimates that, based on current rates (2002), 13.2 percent of women born today will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some time in their lives. While it is more threatening for women, men are not at all immune to the cellular abnormality.

Both the men and women who go through the painstaking process of chemotherapy know the toll it takes on their bodies. It is difficult to see yourself as anything but a science experiment, as your most private of parts are cut, scarred, or removed all together. Self-confidence seems impossible to conjure up and it takes everything to maintain both physical and emotional strength. Many believe that nothing can make them feel like themselves again.

Margit Myl recognized this anguish, fear and pain within the eyes of breast cancer survivors and wanted to do something for the non-profit organization, Circle of Hope, to give these men and women their identity back - to revitalize their soul. She decided to take her passion of photography and create a life-affirming homage to the breast cancer survivors she encountered through the organization. After hearing the tribulations her models went through, Margit wanted to capture the essence of their lives, pre-cancer. Her exhibition of these photos, which will touch the very depths of your soul and heart, will be held at Barnes & Noble in Valencia on September 9, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

She has successfully provided these men and women with a revived zest for life, a new-found confidence and a reason to embrace themselves once again. Margit considers the experience very humbling, "The little things that we struggle with every day are nothing compared to the struggles of breast cancer. The stories I have heard throughout this experience are enough to make me appreciate every second of life. These people are extremely brave and I am happy to be a part of their amazing lives."

Margit plans to devote more of her time to non-profit organizations in the future, as she fell in love with the idea of giving back to inspirational people. She is proud to have turned her hobby into a truly charitable business.


For more information on the exhibit or to contact Margit, please visit her website at www.margitmylphotography.com.