In March 2014, photographers Lora Scantling and Christy Goodger took a very special photo of three little girls from Oklahoma. Rheann Franklin, now 9, Ainsley Peters, now 7, and Rylie Hughey, now 6, were all hugging one another tightly with their eyes closed, showing support in their mutual fight against cancer.
Rheann Frankling, center, was battling a rare brain tumour, Ainsley, to the right, was fighting Leukemia, and Rylie, on the left, was trying to get the better of kidney cancer.
Dressed like angels and embracing each other, the three girls posed for a photo that would end up spreading worldwide.
Ainsley’s mother says the image is particularly poignant, as it’s “a beautiful look at a horrifying struggle.”
The reunion
A year later, Scantling recreated the photo to celebrate the fact that all three girls were in remission.
For this photo, Ainsley and Rylie both sporting hair. Rheann is cancer free but unfortunately, her hair will not grow because extensive radiation treatment burned her hair follicles and her eyes will always droop because of the way the tumor sat on her brain stem.
According to Scantling, the three girls had spirits to match their vibrant dresses.
“It was just like a bunch of friends getting together,” she recalls.
“They were bouncing off the walls, having fun, like, ‘Oh my best friends are here.’”
The photos continue
Despite the fact that all three of the girls were officially cancer survivors, Scantling decided she wanted to continue taking their photos.
The shoot became an annual tradition that Scantling plans to continue throughout their lives so they can document their joint inspirational journey.
It’s easy to see why the girls continue to inspire people suffering from the terrible illness worldwide. Sadly, Scantling’s own stepfather passed away in the years following the first photoshoot, but she continues to draw strength from her brave models.
This year, however, the girls were joined by another. Three-year-old Connor Lloyd had been diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and, with Scantling being Lloyd’s family photographer, she decided to invite him to the studio.
“Sometimes you never know how much time you have,” she explained to his mother.
According to Scantling, some people have forgotten the original purpose of the images, because the three girls are all in remission.
“Connor will be in treatment for another three years, and yet he’s always so happy and brave. Just like the girls, he’s an inspiration.”
What a rollercoaster ride of emotions that was! We’re so happy there are people like Scantling in the world, doing their best to spread joy and happiness. And what about the children? Such bravery in the face of terrifying adversity. We hope they can continue to be a part of Scantling’s photos until they’re all old and grey!
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