Hope Through Daniel Wang Photo Session Fundraiser/Giveaway- Lake County, IL Photographer

As many of you know, not only am I a photographer, but I’m also a high school teacher in Gurnee, IL. Teaching and photography have been my passion for as long as I can remember, and I love that I get be able to do both. I love that I have developed so many friendships with so many of my clients and I believe that with many of my high school students, even, I look at them as if they were even my own kids. So when something happens to one of my students or any one of you, it does effect me. As many of you know, one of my former students, Daniel Wang, passed away, and like many who knew him, I am deeply devastated by his loss.

Daniel had just overcame a 3 1/2 year battle with brain cancer and recently, the cancer came back, he ended up having a seizure at school, and sadly a few days later, he was gone.His family is truly struggling now, dealing with the death of their 17 year old son, but also having the stress of having to pay ridiculously high hospital bills. His twin sister has been so strong in documenting Daniel’s last days and you can read her journal here.

Daniel was a one of kind, talented, polite individual who touched so many lives and truly inspired me to be a better teacher. One thing I admired so much about Daniel was even through all of his hardships, he used his drawing skills to gave back. The Make-A-Wish Illinois Chapter also played a big role in his life during this time. He was granted a wish trip in 2011 to visit Legoland in Denmark. The organization inspired him to to give back and help others, especially kids, who are fighting the same battle. He developed a website with one of our other teachers at school called Hope through Cards,  http://www.hopethroughcards.com/#!, in which part of the proceeds go to the Make a Wish Foundation of Illinois. Since starting to sell his drawings on greeting cards, he raised over three thousand dollars for Make-a-Wish.

Here’s an article from the Chicago Tribune that talks about his card giving company and to give you more background about Daniel. http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/lake-county-news-sun/news/ct-daniel-wang-cancer-greeting-cards-met-20150414-story.html

“Art is my escape.  It is relaxing and it gives me the freedom to drift away from reality.  I can only hope that though my art, I can touch other people’s lives as well.” Daniel Wang

To donate to help out Daniel’s Family, please go here:

 http://www.gofundme.com/HopeThroughDanielW

Even the smallest donation can make a huge difference.

One of Daniel’s Card Designs below:

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Since hearing of Daniel being in the hospital and his passing, I’ve been trying to think of ways to give back.   I really wanted to use this business to raise money for a cause that is truly close to my heart, but to also use photography to help brighten another families life that may be going through a difficult situation. I am so inspired by Daniel and how much he wanted to give back and touch other people’s lives with his artwork.

To honor of Daniel, I have decided I will be having a photo session giveaway to help a deserving family. At the same time, I’m hoping to bring Daniel’s story to light, and more importantly, raise money for Daniel’s family who really needs our help.  I believe that pictures will last forever, and I can’t think of a better way to give back then to give those memories to a deserving family in honor of Daniel’s memory.

Here are the rules:

    • You must “like” the Carole Lynn Photography Facebook Page – you can do so here .
    • You must “like” and “share” this post on your own Facebook Page.
    • Nominate your family or another deserving family  and email your story to carole@carolelynnphotography.com . Write a short explanation as to why you or they should receive a free photo session along with the email/phone for me to contact them.
    • I encourage you to donate as part of your entry at http://www.gofundme.com/HopeThroughDanielW. It is not required, but is encouraged.
    • Even if you don’t have a family to nominate, the littlest donation can help ease Daniel’s family as they try to grieve.
    • The deserving family will be chosen and notified at the end of next week.

Thank you for donating and looking forward to reading other inspiring stories like Daniel.

Love,

Carole

 

 

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Photo Credit: Stacey Wescott, Chicago Tribune