Photographers Lora Scantling and Christy Goodger embarked on a unique journey in 2014.
When photographers Lora Scantling and Christy Goodger issued a public call on Facebook in 2014, little did they anticipate the profound impact it would have on their lives.
“At the time, my stepfather was confronting lung cancer, and I felt a strong urge to make a meaningful difference,” Scantling shared with ABC. “I had this thought: ‘Wouldn’t it be heartwarming?’ So, I posted on Facebook, inquiring if anyone was aware of young children bravely facing cancer.” Since then, she has captured the resilience of childhood cancer survivors in a project she aptly named “Little Heroes.” Yet, these three extraordinary young girls from Oklahoma left an indelible mark on her. Their photograph, depicting all three innocent, bald girls embracing one another, quickly went viral.
“When they walked in and saw each other, an instant connection was formed,” Scantling recalled. They came to understand, “Hey, you’re encountering the very same difficulties as I.” Initially, everyone was quiet, but after a few minutes, they began sharing their hospital experiences.” In the photo, Rheann Franklin, 6, stood in the center, battling a rare brain tumor, Ainsley Peters, 5, on the right, was courageously facing leukemia, and Rylie Hughey, only three years old on the left, was contending with kidney cancer.
In less than a year, the three reunited for another photo to celebrate all three girls’ remission.
“It was akin to a gathering of close friends,” Scantling reminisced. “They exuded exuberance, enjoying themselves, like, ‘My best friends are here!'” Scantling decided to transform this into an annual tradition. She intends to document Rheann, Ainsley, and Rylie’s lives through photography, hoping their journey will continue to inspire people worldwide.
“If I had to sum up Lora’s photos in one word, it would be ‘hope,'” expressed Rylie’s mother. “Strength emerges when we stand together! I aspire that another family in the midst of their cancer battle can gaze at this photo and find inspiration.”
This year, the girls welcomed a special guest into their photo: three-year-old Connor Lloyd. Upon learning of Connor’s acute lymphoblastic leukemia diagnosis, Scantling extended an invitation for him to join the girls in the picture.
“At times, we are unaware of how much time we have,” she explained to Connor’s mother. She added that Connor has been responding positively to treatment, and we can anticipate seeing him in the next photo. “Connor will undergo treatment for the next three years, yet he maintains a joyful and courageous spirit. Just like the girls, he is an inspiration,” she said. “I will continue taking this photo annually for as long as they desire. They act as an abundant source of inspiration for every single one of us.”
Please, share the touching story of these incredibly resilient children with your friends and family!