Jeff and his parents are friends with Rush Limbaugh. Jeff’s mom sent me a link to Rush’s broadcast about Jeff and his family.  It is really a wonderful tribute titled “Our Prayers for the Hasara Family”.

One of the photos I did of Jeff is on the blog post. That is pretty cool too!

http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_082510/content/01125106.guest.html

From the Gazette Obituary information about Jeff: Jeffrey was born November 24, 1993 in Okinawa, Japan, the son of Mark and Valerie Hill Hasara. He was a sophomore at Linn-Mar High School. He loved longboarding, surfing by the ocean and being with his friends. Jeffrey was tenderhearted and was more interested in helping his friends than doing his school work. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where he was active in his church and a strong believer in his God. Jeffrey was also active in Boy Scouts. His favorite thing was spending time with his family. He was a great friend and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

As part of a recent fund raiser that Hu Hot (Jeff’s favorite restaurant) did, I donated the use of an image and graphics. If you are inclined to assist in any way, Jeff’s blog is http://pullingforjeff.wordpress.com/ there are some great surfing images of him on it too.

www.PortraitsAndStories.com was created to inspire, encourage, and support cancer survivors, their families, and their friends through portraits that I create to tell a story about a survivor. The participants also are encouraged to write blog posts to share their experiences with others.

It went rather well for a shy person who does not relish the lime light and public speaking. I didn’t faint or anything! KCRG (a local television station) was also there working on a segment to air in September.

Click here to get more information about this support group at Mercy Hospital.

His family has a website for Jeff at http://pullingforjeff.wordpress.com/. A fundraiser is being put together for him, I will watch for details.

June 11, 2010

Family and Friends,

My condition has worsened considerably.  On about May 29 the tumor pain started to increase and became constant.  On the first of June I had my IV injection port removed and spent the next several days in bed with pain on both sides.  I thought I would regain strength.  Over the next week my tumor (that had not grown since the blessing in March) has now tripled in size.  Cancer is truly overtaking my body. 

Why are we on this earth?  To be tried and tested so we may come to know God and we may be found worthy to return to live with him someday.  Our faith is tried so it may be strengthened.  God allows us to be tested that we may more fully come to know him. 

Don’t worry or be afraid for me.  Pray I might know God.  I don’t believe anything could test my physical, mental, or spiritual endurance more than the experience I am facing now.  But now is not the time to worry about the outcome of whether I live or die.  Now is the time to praise God, to petition to see his face and know him better. 

Over the last several days my tumor has grown to the point I can’t be upright and support the weight without great pain.  I can only be up for about 5 minutes at a time.  The rest of the time I must be in a laying position.  I have been planning and looking forward to a trip to Utah since the first of the year.  I have felt this trip was important not only for my enjoyment but to witness to my many cousins, aunts, uncles and family how much God has done for me.

When I was first diagnosed with cancer I was approved by the ‘Make a Wish Foundation’ to receive a wish.  I was told to wish for anything and to think BIG.  Over the next several weeks I had fun with friends and family thinking up bigger and bigger wishes.  It always surprised me how small people’s imagination was.  I could not believe a thousand dollar shopping spree (or the like) was the biggest wish many of my friends could come up with.

A couple of nights ago I was praying to Father in Heaven and asking to please just let me go to Utah and have some pain free time with my family camping and enjoying life.  Then whatever Gods wants I am ready.  As I closed the prayer my mother pointed out to me I was not thinking big enough.  Like my friends and ‘Make a Wish’ I was asking for a simple shopping spree when God stands ready to fulfill my greatest desires. 

I have been tried and tested and stand firm in my faith, willing to submit to all things.  What would you give to see God and know for sure you will live again through him.  After you have given all, would you be afraid or forget to ask to know God? It is time for me to ask that I might receive. 

My prayers have been very different the last two days.  And I have received some direction from God.  First, I was told if the mormon pioneers could cross the plains with their sick I certainly can find my way to Utah this summer to share my testimony personally with my family.  I believe this to be important and God will provide the way. 

Second, God told me again I am to live.  I will leave that in his hands.  After all, who would not give their life to see God’s face and know he lives.  Yes, I am thinking big and know what ever God grants will strengthen my faith and help me to stand firm in the Gospel for the rest of my life.  More importantly, I know I have a mission to fulfill as his special witness to Jesus Christ to bring others home to our Heavenly Father. 

God lives and loves us,

Jeff Hasara

is hosting a program presented by Master Photographer Barb Gordon founder of www.PortraitsAndStories.com. Portraits & Stories is a cancer survivor blog designed to encourage and inspire survivors, families, and friends through images and blog posts.

Join us:
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
7:00-8:15 pm
Mercy Women’s Center
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

 ”I came across your work by chance and found it very empowering and inspiring!

I’m writing on behalf of  the Hong Kong Youth Arts Foundation. Over the past few months, we’ve been working with some artists and young adults who have cancer as well as young adults living with people who have cancer in art workshops, culminating in an exhibition called ‘The C Word’ that will be exhibited in June this year.

The aim of the exhibition is to explore questions of identity and issues young adults face when confronted with a cancer diagnosis, as well as to demystify cancer and to celebrate the idea that though we may be diagnosed with cancer, cancer does not define us. The head artist for the project is Rae Leung, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2007 – she is also a voice-over artist and an avid blogger and was keen to share with other young adults who have cancer how they might find writing a good way to deal and process with the issues that they face. Partnering with her is a professional visual artist / sculptor who is working with the participants to create collages and other work that will be on display in the project.

We’re currently doing an open call for submission of written work, video or photography by young adults who have cancer to be included in our video installation. As such, I was wondering if maybe it would be possible for you to help us reach out to your community to see if any of them would be interested. The project is a community art project and we would love to be able to include work from around the world.

If you can help us to inform your community that would be amazing! Our website for the project is: http://www.hkyaf.com/projects/VA/2010/TheCWordArtSubmission/eng/  I’ve also attached the document that provides the details on the project and the submission process.

Please contact Patricia Chiu at pat@hkyaf.com should you require additional information.

Thanks in advance for your time!”
Lindsey

Lindsey McAlister OBE
Hong Kong Youth Arts Foundation
20/F Westlands Centre,
20 Westlands Rd,
Quarry Bay, Hong Kong
Tel: 2511 6192
Mob: 9030 5066
www.hkyaf.com

Especially for You- After Breast Cancer Support Group

August 24, 2010
7:00 pm
Mercy Women’s Center

I am an avid learner. I read a lot. Most of us take take that skill for granted until you loose it. Many of us experience a condition refered to many as chemo brain. Things just don’t click like you are used to and it is quite frustrating.

Some time after completing chemo treatments I tried to take a Master Gardening class. I had to drop out.  I was so frustrated with the material and the teaching style of the course. At the time, I thought I was not capable of learning it and that the class was too hard. But now I realize that I just was not ready yet. I think the fog from chemo brain just had not cleared enough yet but I really did not know that.

So don’t give up. It takes time and there is no answer to how long it will take as it will be different for each one of us.  There is no magic day that it just happens. For me it was so gradual that I could not tell I was not ready for an intense learning situation yet.

But rest assured it does get better and that is the message I want to share.  All you can do is continue to try and not be hard on yourself or too concerned if the current project ends up being difficult. It will be okay!

Spontaneous Healing by Andrew Weil

Peace, Love & Healing by Bernie Siegel

A Cancer Battle Plan by Anne Frahm

How to Prevent and Treat Cancer with Natural Medicine by Michael Murray

And most important to me was my Bible.

There were other books that were helpful but I have forgotten them or given them to others who are dealing with cancer.

Massage was very helpful for me in my recovery along with lots of hiking.

Chris from Iowa, Survivor 1995 & 2005

Master Photographer Barb Gordon, www.GordonPhotography.Biz

www.PortraitsAndStories.com a photo essay project to bless breast cancer survivors, their family, and friends. Find inspiration and encouragement here through photographs and stories.

Chris from Iowa, Survivor 1995 & 2005

Chris told me about a poster she saw at one of her doctor appointments that inspired her. It was of a woman who had had a mascetormy who was beautiful and vibrant. That poster assured Chris that she too would be fine. That image inspired Chris to want to share with other women-that it will be alright.

Before I knew Chris was a breast cancer survivor, twice, I had photographed her previously for her new business cards for her Geriatric Care Management practice.  I did not stop to contemplate that some women have reconstruction surgury and some opt not to. When she mentioned her prosthesis at the photo session, I was a bit confused as I had not thought about that and I certainly couldn’t tell the difference in her regular clothes.

We thought images like this would tell an  inspriational story, as she too is a quite beautiful and vibrant woman!

Master Photographer Barb Gordon, www.GordonPhotography.Biz

www.PortraitsAndStories.com a photo essay project to bless breast cancer survivors, their family, and friends. Find inspiration and encouragement here through photographs and stories.