Illness is never something that we would want to deal with, especially when it comes in the form of cancer. Cancer may be of different types, but the suffering is mostly the same in every situation. Although certain patients manage to overcome it, with the help of treatments, and mediation, it is usually the support of family and positive thinking that guarantee success. Positive thinking also translates into laughing. Have you heard the story of the man with the pink tutu? A simple and endearing photographer by the name of Bob Carey found out that his wife is suffering from cancer in 2003. It came back in 2006. That was the moment when he took his tutu, which in many ways is like superman’s cape, and decided to save her life. Who would have ever thought that a pink tutu could do so much good?
Many people have come across Bob’s photographs by accident, but if you thought the images were good, wait ’till you hear the rest of the story. The Tutu Project, because this is what it’s called new, started out as a way for Bob to express himself, and also to bring a smile on Linda’s face. He said that it was his wife’s courage and strength that helped him put the tutu on. He has traveled the world in it, and has taken hundreds of strange, yet beautiful photos, which had the sole purpose to lift her spirits. And they did.
Although Linda was struggling through the battle of her life, Bob’s photos somehow managed to make her every time. When she was in chemotherapy, she shares the images with other patients, and they too would laugh.
“When Linda would go in for treatment, she would take the images on her phone and the women would look at them and it would make them laugh and make the time pass,” Bob said.”
But this was just the beginning. Linda said that the more she laughed, the better she felt, and her fellow patients felt the same way. This is when The Tutu Project was born. Bob’s photos really helped other women smile, and forget about their troubles. Sooner than later, the images became viral. Probably the most charming thing about the project is its awkwardness: a 40-something year old man takes random photos, in random places, and he always wears that same pink tutu.
“Oddly enough, her cancer has taught us that life is good, dealing with it can be hard, and sometimes the very best thing—no, the only thing—we can do to face another day is to laugh at ourselves, and share a laugh with others.”
These pictures managed to raise not only awareness about cancer, but they also managed to give hope to those that had last all of it. Bob soon published the book “Ballerina”, which basically contains 61 images which are united by one, single theme: the man in the pink tutu, bearing all in support of his wife. Each image has its own story, and the locations are carefully picked: some are important landmarks, others are beautiful natural places, while others are obscure settings with a powerful meaning. All of net proceed from sales go to the Carey Foundation, which was established by the couple in order to aid people suffering from cancer, because Bob and Linda know that not all medical costs are covered by insurance. You can also purchase the “Tutu Project 2014” Wall Calendar, if you enjoy the unexpected charm of these images.
Now, instead of fighting their own battles, the couple is trying to help other women beat cancer. So in case they ever feel alone, women suffering will now that there is at least one man in a pink tutu by their side. In a way, the images sound silly, but it is the type of silliness that can save lives.
