Capturing The Joy
Even in hard times, beauty can be found
When Sarah Lordi grabbed onto the opportunity to photograph Connor’s Heroes’ families whose children are battling childhood cancer, she never imagined the joy she would capture through her camera lens. “My first event was photographing fall family sessions for Hero families,” recalls Lordi. “I expected it to be emotionally heavy, but what surprised me most was the joy.”
Lordi remembers that day as one where the children were laughing, playing and simply being kids. “I realized I wasn’t there to witness sadness,” she explains. “I was there to help create joyful memories and be one of the many people cheering these families on.”
Useing Her Talents To Help Others
The chance to capture beautiful photos of Hero families came when Lordi was intentionally seeking opportunities to use her talent to serve her community. Members of Connor’s Heroes staff discovered Lordi through her social media project – Hope Lives Here. From that first day of photographing Hero families, Lordi has been a constant supporter of Connor’s Heroes and the families it serves.
“Somewhere along the way photography became much more than a career or skill, it became something deeply personal to me and a way to serve, connect, and preserve the moments that matter,” shares Lordi.
Childhood Cancer impacts not only the child learning to meet life as it comes, but the entire family. Lordi believes deeply that you don’t have to share a personal connection to a child or family facing this incredibly unfair diagnosis to give your time, talents, or resources to support the Connor’s Heroes’ families.
“I think the children and families of Connor’s Heroes are showing all of us something incredibly valuable about how to meet life when it doesn’t go according to plan,” says Lordi.
For Lordi and her husband Jacob who are struggling with infertility, Lordi’s work with Connor’s Heroes has reinforced her belief that “when you’re hurting, help someone else.” She has watched Hero moms embrace whatever motherhood has asked of them with extraordinary courage.
AUTHOR: Michelle Nunnally
This year marks 20 years that Connor’s Heroes has been a part of the community. Connor’s Heroes is dedicated to helping the families in Central Virginia cope with childhood cancer and our community’s researchers conquer it. Our mission is to build a community of heroes who provide hope, guidance, and support. 📲 Make a gift / 🦸 Support a Hero / 🧑🧑🧒🧒 Join us.
