Cancer is terrible disease that we will hopefully one day cure. Anyone who has had a family member affected by it knows just how devastating it can be.
It's especially depressing when a child is affected.
Leukemia is a cancer of blood-forming tissues that causes the body to create abnormally functioning white blood cells. It accounts for a third of all cancers diagnosed in children.
Five-year-old Isabella Harvey of Staten Island has battled leukemia since January 2013. Her disease briefly went into remission, but came back around September, 2014. She was forced to undergo chemotherapy which caused her hair to fall out. Missing her hair, Isabella was upset with her changed appearance.
"She was embarrassed," her mother, Pina Harvey, told the Huffington Post. "When her hair fell out the first time she was three so she really didn't understand. But now she is five and was having a hard time dealing with it."
Pina partnered with the nonprofit organization Gianna Nicole's Heart of Hope Foundation to set up a photo shoot with Isabella and Bella Princess LLC, a party-planning company featuring actresses who dress as princesses.
Next, they hired photographer Alana Hubbard of Mother Hubbard Photography to take the photos of Isabella and an actress playing Cinderella. The actress donned a bald cap to show that princesses don't need hair to be beautiful.
The resulting photographs are stunning and very touching. Scroll down to see them and to learn more about Isabella's incredible experience on that magical day.
Visit Alana's website for more information on her photography and Gianna Nicole's Heart of Hope Foundation to see what they're doing to help other children like Isabella.
Please SHARE this beautiful story with all of your friends!
H/T: The Huffington Post
Initially, Isabella was nervous to do the photo shoot. She didn't want to show her bald head on camera, but as soon as the Cinderella came into the room, she lit up like a Christmas tree!
The photographer, Alana, claims that Isabella declared, "She looks just like me!"
Pina concurs. "Her face lit up and seemed to relax a little," she said. "Isabella took off her hat. She was so happy and seemed more at ease taking pictures."
Isabella's family hopes that these new photos will give this little girl a newfound sense of confidence once she sees that she's just as as a princess just the way she is.
"After all she went through...it was such an amazing feeling seeing her so happy," said Pina.
Isabella's sibling also accompanied her on the photo shoot.
Isabella told Alana that because she's so often in the hospital, she's never had an opportunity to travel. Alana photoshopped the images to make it look like the little princess has been all around the world.
Everyone involved hopes that these beautiful images can further inspire other little girls with cancer. These photos are proof that any little girl can be a princess regardless of whether or not they have hair.
Please SHARE this touching story with the people you love!
