March 11, 2013
Please Support Ashley Shilen’s Heart Touching Efforts
I have been given the opportunity to help more than 1 million Americans who are living with blood cancers. Each year the NC Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society hosts the “Man & Woman of the Year” fundraising competition. This year I was asked to join a team led by 2013 Woman of the Year candidate, Ashley Shilen – a friend of mine and recent bride I had the opportunity to photograph on her June 2012 wedding day. During this campaign from February 19 – May 2, our team goal is to raise $25,000 – which will go directly to LLS in support of its longstanding mission to find a cure for blood cancers and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.
This fundraising effort is very personal to Ashley and her family. You see, on her wedding day this past June, her mother was only there in spirit because she lost her 12 year battle of this disease in 1992. Ashley is raising money in honor of her mother, Kathy Gunter, and also a local leukemia survivor and LLS Boy of the Year, Bryce Washington.
Please join Ashley & our team in supporting The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society by making a contribution to her fundraising campaign. Every amount – no matter large or small – would be greatly appreciated to go towards this very worthy cause.
Ashley Shilen and her father on her wedding day
holding a white rose in remembrance of her mother, Kathy Gunter,
who passed away after a 12 year battle with Leukemia.
“My mother is my angel. I admire her strength and tenacity every day! Cancer doesn’t care if you are a mother, daughter or friend or what you have accomplished in life. It attacks and takes away so much that we love. I am so excited to be a part of this campaign helping raise funds that will truly make a difference in the fight against blood cancer. Thank you so much for your support!” – Ashley Shilen
With your support of a tax-deductible donation, LLS can continue funding critical research in the fight against blood cancers as well as provide outstanding patient services. Please consider a gift in honor of someone you know personally who has been touched by cancer. Blood cancers in particular know no boundaries, but you can join us in the fight for a cure.
You can make a secure donation online by visiting www.mwoy.org/tri and clicking on Ashley Shilen’s name, or send a check made payable to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at 401 Harrison Oaks Blvd., Suite 200, Cary, NC 27513 by May 2. Please be sure to include Ashley Shilen’s name in the memo.
Please feel free to forward this note to all of your family and friends. Thank you in advance for all of your support!
Wendy Boyer
Owner, Dancing Heart Photography
ABOUT THE LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services. LLS funds lifesaving cancer research that has contributed to major advances in the treatment of blood cancers and many other types of cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and stem cell transplants that have prolonged and enhanced the lives of patients. New targeted therapies that kill cancer cells without harming normal tissue have already begun to provide drugs and procedures that are improving quality of life. Since its founding in 1949, LLS has invested more that $875 million in leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma research, including $6.1 million at Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill this year. But more research is critically needed and it won’t be possible without people like you and me! There is a new blood cancer diagnosis every four minutes and, tragically, we lose someone to these diseases every ten minutes. New hope to find a cure for blood cancers has never been greater. For instance, of the 39 new cancer-fighting drugs approved by the FDA in the past 10 years, 19 of them were initially developed for blood cancers and many had funding from LLS. All 19 of those drugs show promise for treating other cancers including: Gleevec, used for patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), was recently approved to treat stomach ulcers and is in trials for breast, prostate and ovarian cancer treatments; Velcade, a targeted drug to treat patients with myeloma or mantle cell lymphoma, is also in trials for people with kidney, lung and thyroid cancers; Rituxan, the first approved targeted cancer drug that was initially used for non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients, is used in 11 blood cancer and rheumatoid arthritis treatments.
For more information, please visit http://www.lls.org.
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April 18, 2012
Great Strides Walk for Cystic Fibrosis | Apex Photographer
The 2012 Apex Great Strides Walk for Cystic Fibrosis took place on Saturday, April 14th at the Apex Community Park. I was honored to take part in this event, photographing children, families and friends from the Apex community who rallied together to “take steps to cure Cystic Fibrosis.” For more information about Cystic Fibrosis, please visit www.cff.org.
You can view the event slideshow and image gallery by clicking here or on the image below.
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April 3, 2012
Wedding Date Banner | Raleigh Wedding Photographer
My poor blog has been sooooo neglected. I have one word F*A*C*E*B*O*O*K! Facebook rocks…I mean, who doesn’t love Facebook? It’s quick, easy to share and everyone and their mother (including mine) is on it. But I know that’s no excuse to not share the love so I’m going to make a good effort to do just that, starting with sharing this Wedding Date Banner Template.
I created this how-to guide for my bride and grooms so they can make a wedding date banner for their engagement sessions. It’s really easy to put together – just takes a little time and creativity. I like using pretty scrapbook paper (card stock thickness is best!). I’ve also used foam sheets. You can practically use anything and I’m sure most of you have all the materials already on hand.
What I really love is when the banners match the wedding colors! That way, your engagement photos will feel right at home displayed at the wedding reception and in your Guest Notebook (our cool version of the guest book featuring your engagement photos and space where guests can write notes and words of wisdom on your special day – only $250 with purchase of UNITE wedding collection).
I hope the instructions are clear. Feel free to post any feedback on how the template worked for you and if you have any suggestions on how to make it easier. If anyone has any questions, just call me. I’d be happy to talk you through the instructions and give you more tips on how to make these cute banners! Enjoy!
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August 25, 2011
Bridal Show Award Winner | Raleigh Wedding Photographer
…and the “Best in Show” Award goes to…
With over 200 exhibitors, the August 2011 Southern Bridal Show & Expo hosted some of the best wedding vendors in the Triangle area. From top-notch venues to caterers to photographers – and everyone in between – the bridal show was the place-to-be to connect with the industry’s finest. That’s why Dancing Heart Photography is so proud (pleased as punch really!) to have received the new exhibitor “Best in Show” Award.
It was such a fabulous time meeting brides-to-be and fellow vendors…winning this award is just icing on the cake. So happy! Thanks to everyone that voted for us! xoxo
Quality Photography & Service Excellence
At Dancing Heart Photography, we believe in the old saying “if something is worth doing, it’s worth doing right!” In everything we do, we pay attention to the details and aim to deliver high-quality work. We don’t claim to be perfect; only that we strive to deliver nothing less than the best we have to offer. An essential part of that is providing excellent customer service. We take our client relationships to heart and are so very honored to play a role in our clients’ big day. We think of clients like friends that should be made to feel special and appreciated.
To learn more about our business philosophy, please visit our “about” website page.
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August 23, 2011
Apex, NC Office & Client Meeting Place | Raleigh Area Wedding Photographer
So many people ask me where I meet with potential wedding clients. And while I am happy to meet off site at a convenient location, my preference is to meet in my home office in Apex, NC. Here I am able to show more of my work and let friends see where the “photography magic” happens. LOL
We have a dedicated level in our townhouse for my business. We’re located in Haddon Hall, right across the street from Beaver Creek in Apex, NC. Meetings are by appointment only – feel free to call me at 919.757.2489 to schedule a time to visit to talk about your photography needs.
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