ens L flare MAY 2014
r tte BP e l s PA Online New
PROGRAM
“Ramblings of a Mad Man” John Woodward pg 6
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT Meet Billy Dzwonkowski pg 10
BPPA
Board of Directors
President - Donna Williams Vice President - Heidemarie Burke Secretary - Jennifer Gerardi Treasurer - Arnie Berns Director - Billy Dzwonkowski Director - Maria Lyle Director - Ed Vinson
About Us... The Bay Professional Photographer’s Association provides an opportunity for photographers to come together to exchange ideas and information, and to encourage each other to become better at their craft. The association allows photographers to improve their skills by presenting photographic programs and holding print competitions. The association also provides the benefit of networking with other photographers for business and social interaction. If you are a professional photographer in the Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice, Englewood and vicinity, you are invited to come and visit our group. We would love to have you as part of this organization. If you are interested in joining or attending a meeting as a guest, please contact: Membership Chair, Gigi O’Dea
Committee Chairs Membership - Gigi O’Dea Door Prize / Scholarship - Connie Summers Program Chair / Salon - Billy Dzwonkowski Archivist - Jennifer Gerardi Social Media - Donna Williams FPP State Delegate - Heidemarie Burke House RSVP - Jim Dohms Website / Awards - Ed Vinson Marketing / Photographer - Maria Lyle Social - Pilar Ojeda Ferenus
PHONE: (941)941.747.4150 EMAIL: gigiodea@yahoo.com
In order to run a good organization, we rely on volunteers. These positions are greatly appreciated by all. A lot of our members double up on committees. We would love to have your assistance on any of our committees. You will learn more about BPPA and get to know everyone even more! To volunteer, please contact: President, Donna Williams PHONE: (941)941.358.3423 EMAIL: dwilliams@turnerflorida.com
ON THE COVER Image created by Billy Dzwonkowski. Billy considers himself a sports photographer first, but he photographs weddings, seniors and more. He also won the BPPA Photographer of the Year 2011, 2012, and 2013. Billy captured this powerful image called “No Escape”. He used a Nikon D300s with a 24-120mm lens; ISO 100 F/14 at a 1/100th of a second, he had 4 Photogenic Powerlights, 2 split lights from behind, a hair light and a main light slightly from camera left. This image along with its sister image, the hands called “Trapped”, really seemed to create strong reactions with almost everyone who sees them. Both had been in competition at the state level with “No Escape” meriting an 82. “Trapped” scored an 84 at BPPA and won Best In Show, it also scored a 78 at State just falling short of meriting, however it was accepted into the Bi-Annual LaGrange Art Museum in LaGrange Georgia and was on display for 6 months back in 2011.
From the Editor Hard to believe that it has been just about month gone
by. Hope that you are reading this online magazine and enjoying it as much as I enjoy putting it together. It is fun to have the opportunity to learn about our members as I write about them on The Member Spotlight. I am looking forward to more content from each and everyone of you. Some of you already received e-mails and phone calls from me, and more are on the way. This month, I am particularly excited about working as a team and helping a young lady who is in need of blood. The name of the event is Honorary Blood Drive For Maya McKibbin. More inside, please read, participate and
share with your fellow photographers and friends. I am enjoying learning InDesign which is a cross between a database program with photographic testarones if that makes any sense at all. It is wicked bad buns kind of program, and it is so cool that you can post it online and have live hyperlinks that go places, like maybe your website, and I can make the hyperlinks in any color, how fun is that! Scott Hime suggested that I learn and use this program and to use Lynda.com to get there Gotta love Scott and Lynda! But, hey let’s not forget Martha Thompson, who designed this for us. Maria Lyle
Copyright © 2014, Bay Professional Photographers Association, all Rights reserved.This Ntewsletter is produced by Maria Lyle. If you have some information that you want to share with your fellow photographers, please e-mail Maria Lyle. It will be posted on the next Newsletter. Graphic Design: Martha Thompson.
Contents MAYt 2014
page 6 page 10
Program: “Ramblings of a Mad Man” by John Woodward Member Spotlight: Billy Dzwonkowski
6
Owner of Billy D Photography
page 16
At Our Last Meeting By Maria Lyle
page 18
Salon News
By Billy Dzwonkowski
page 19
FPP Delegate’s News By Heidimarie Burke
page 22
Calendar of Events
page 24
Special Events: Blood Drive
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May Blood Drive for Maya McKibbin
Let’s get social
16 Visit our Website: www.bayprofessionalphotographers.com And please don’t forget to add BayProfessionalPhotographers@gmail.com to your address book so we will be sure to land in your inbox!
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Monthly Meeting 2nd Monday of Each Month
Hilton Garden Inn 8270 N. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34243 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM Board Meeting The Board Meeting is only for the Board Members and Committee Chairs. It is imperative that meetings are not to be interrupted when in session. We appreciate your cooperation. 6:00 PM Social 6:30 PM Dinner 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM Program
Click HERE to
RSVP
ting for each mee RSVP DEADLINE TFORIDAY IS NOON MEETING. PRIOR TO THE
Don’t want the hassle of RSVPing for each and every Meeting?
Click Here To Join the Permanent RSVP List As a Permanent RSVP Member, you will be added to the attending list on a monthly basis. If you cannot attend you are responsible to RSVP by Friday at Noon before the meeting to avoid having to make a payment for a no show. NO SHOWS are responsible for paying for the meeting and will receive an invoice. PLEASE DO NOT RSVP THE DAY OF THE MEETING
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Article & Ad Submissions Due Date: First of Every Month PRIOR to the month of publication. Acceptance of advertising does not carry with it endorsement by the publisher. Opinions expressed by Bay Professional Photographers Association magazine or any of it’s authors does not necessarily reflect the positions of the Bay Professional Photographers Association or any of the Board members.
The President’s Message Hello Everyone! Spring is the time when things come to life. It is a time for fresh beginnings. It is a time of renewal. It is a time to get reinvented and soar to new heights. Think of what you can do to reinvent yourself. Think outside the box. Try something you have never tried before. It may be something you thought about doing or something that you never imagined yourself doing. By challenging yourself to attempt the unknown, you push your photography career to a new level. And in the process you learn more about your craft. And it is exciting! I have reinvented myself more times than I can remember. When I had my children, I became a stay at home mom, and my career was my home and family. When my kids got older, I became a hairdresser. When I knew I had to raise them on my own, I got a job as an executive assistant. While I was doing that, I heard about a new technology called word processing. Yes, I was still typing on a typewriter! So in my 30’s I went back to college. Not only did I learn word processing, I discovered a new love ….the computer! While I was busy building a career in the business environment, my love of photography was always there. I got my first camera when I was 16 which was a Polaroid Swinger. I loved seeing the images develop in front of my eyes. It is no wonder I embraced digital photography! As an emerging photographer, I always had the latest camera. And when I purchased my first digital camera, a whole new life evolved for me. I discovered another love…my digital camera. And even better, it worked well with my other love, the computer.
I am fortunate to have a husband who is supportive of everything I do. After working as a part-time photographer, I decided to leave the business world behind. Ten years ago my husband and I started our first photography company, and I pursued a career as a full-time photographer. I remember the first time I told someone that is my profession. I still feel that same amount of pride when I say it today. And with the never ending support of my husband, we purchased a studio. I discovered yet another love…my studio! When I reinvented myself, I changed as a person. At first I took baby steps. Each time I made a change in my life, my confidence increased as well. And with each change, I had the courage to pursue bigger challenges. Did I make mistakes? Of course I did. But you learn from your mistakes. You reinvent yourself again and move forward. You may be at a happy place right now in your life and love what you do. And that is fine. But when an opportunity presents itself, don’t be afraid to try. It may be a completely different style of photography. It may be a technology that blends with photography. And speaking of technology, we know one thing for sure. Technology changes by the second. As photographers, we have to change with it. If we don’t, we will be passed up by someone else. Remember one thing when you do make a change. Don’t copy another. Make the change about you. Reinvent only YOU! I look forward to seeing all of you at the next meeting on May 12th. Don’t forget to wear your name badge! Thank you, Donna Williams
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All Images Š John Woodward
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PROGRAM “Ramblings of a Mad Man”
by John Woodward
John will start with a personality assessment program which leads to the “Wheel of Self Assessment” He will demonstrate several things that he has “created” during the course of his career. Moving onto his approach to facial analysis, lighting forms, hair light and “additive” school will be hands-on using audience members. He will also demonstrate a different approach to HDR called the “Three Bears.”. Q & A. We are looking forward to spending an evening with John.
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John Woodward has spent 40 years producing images for corporations such as Chase, Citibank, Viacom, Paramount, RJR Nabisco, Hawaiian Tropic, Cunard, Hyatt, Unisys and Marriott. His work in sports includes being the Official Photographer for the New York Yankees for 6 years, He was director of photography for the Avon and Virginia Slimís womenís tennis championships as well as corporate sponsors photographer for the Jets, Giants, Islanders, Rangers, the New York Marathon and several others. John was the Corporate Sponsors Photographer for the United States Tennis Open for three decades. He was Unisys’s photographer for the United States Golf Open. For more on our friend, please click on his website: http://www.johnwoodwardphotography.com
All Images © John Woodward
MEMBERSHIP & dues Please welcome our newest member: Kelly Keartns of Photography By Kelly Kearns http://www.photographybykellykearns.com/ And please welcome back: Tom Bender
Not a member yet? Fill out an application, make a copy of your Sales Tax Certificate and make a check to Bay Professional Photographers Association. Bring your payment and paperwork to our next meeting OR mail payment and paperwork to: Gigi O’Dea 14762 1st. Ave. East Bradenton, FL 34212 If you would like to become a member, renew your membership or attend one of our meetings as a guest, please email our Membership Chair, Gigi O’Dea gigiodea@yahoo.com CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD YOUR: MEMBERSHIP FORM
You should make photographs with your heart, mind, eye & soul. The capture device is simply there to allow you to transfer your vision to a medium that you can share with others. - Bill Frakes
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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Billy Dzwonkows
THIS is a get int 21 diffe I saw so afte
T
tography
he Member Spotlight for May is Billy Dzwonkowski of Billy D Pho-
LF: What was the first camera you ever played with. A canon AE1, I have since learned from my errors and switched to the lovely world of Nikon. I still use both but something just feels better about a Nikon, just feels like an extension of my body now. LF: When did you start your business? 10
I have just recently taken a leap of faith and opened my own business in March of this year. However I’ve been shooting for almost 6. In January of 2008 Al Gordon opened his studio doors to me and I stayed there until the summer of 2012. I shot numerous weddings and high school seniors with Al. He ingrained in me how important education and always continuing to further yourself in your craft. FPP along with BPPA, WPPI and PPA, have all taught me important lessons. However I still think on the job training as an assistant is the best learning there is. Around 2012 Al moved to his hometown in Tennessee. I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to work for Johnson PhotoImaging.
ski
“The Kiss” a true self portrait. This means I was in the image and I shot the image, no trigger just a 10 second self timer to walk over and to position. The image idea came to me off of a music video I had seen and I just tweaked it and turned it into my own, It took erent takes of shooting and walking back to the camera to see what I needed to change. I had done hundreds of shoots where omething wrong with a pose and quickly changed it. However being both in the picture, and not being able to see myself until er the shot was taken made a very interesting procedure. Looking back at the images and also being the model it’s almost like seeing my mind work in a fourth dimension. 1/80 sec, f/16 ISO 100 All Images © Billy Dzwonkowski
Having a already sturdy photography knowledge I used my time here to really hone in my business techniques. They do a lot of work and it was nice to see how a high volume studio operated. Taking things from both of these studios that I liked and putting a few of my own ideas into use makes me extremely excited to see where I will go from here. LF:What is your favorite subject?
have, blood sweat tears, all that effort, it’s an amazing feeling. The emotion you get with sports I feel almost can’t be reproduced with anything else. The pure joy of winning and that agony of losing, unscripted emotion. When that’s happening and you can capture it through your lens and you trap that moment in time, you can’t beat that. If you don’t have sports in your life, I challenge you to find something sports related to start doing or watching.
Sports, without a doubt. There is nothing else IF: Can you tell us how long it takes you to plan in the world I love more, not even photography. and execute a photo shoot? When you have the chance to put yourself up against someone else, and give everything you Depends on what it is that I am shooting. 11
Normally the planning part is the longest. Executing the shoot shouldn’t take too long if you’ve planned it out well enough however some things don’t always go as planned. That’s why we are professionals, learn how to take what happens, roll with it, and make the best image possible with your current surroundings. LF: What or Who inspires you?
The more you know the less stressed you will be in all situations. Learn that lighting is the most important thing, followed very closely by proper posing. LF: What is your most used lens and why. It has to be the 70-200mm 2.8, I use it for sports, weddings, seniors and families. It is big plus for sports is pretty obvious I can zoom in to capture action that would be impossible with a 24-120. The reason I keep it on for weddings and other various portraits is the compression it offers. It allows me, at 2.8 to really, really throw the background out of focus and really draw your attention to the subject.
Ken Sklute and Jerry Ghionis. Ken is without a doubt one of the coolest most down to earth guys. He managed to do what I’d like to do, sports on the week and weddings on the weekend. The way he is able to create and capture his images is awe-inspiring. He is also very forward looking, he’s always trying to find that new way to create something stunning. He is one of the best. LF: Out of all the Photoshop tips, is there one Jerry Ghionis is just one word. Perfection. His lighting style the way he manipulates light, the way he creates light, the way he sees it. No one else does it like him. I find myself saying often what would Jerry do, it’s a way to challenge myself, okay sure, this would look nice, but how do I take it to the next level. Always striving to be better. He said in a class one time. “You don’t have to be the best, just be better than you were last week.” LF: How long have you been a member of BPPA and why would you recommend it to other professionals? I am going on my 6th year as a BPPA member. I would highly recommend Bay to any photographer at any level. You can ALWAYS learn more, you don’t know everything and you never will. Even if it’s as small as knowing that you should always photograph a full-length image from waste height, know it. You have to know the rules in order to break them. 12
“Ugh!” This is what I love, love, love to capture when shooting sports. Being there at the right time is the key to a successful shot. This image earned me Distiguished Award, Third Place in Photojournalism at FPP. 1/400 sec, f/5.6 ISO 640
“Blue Collar Prima Dona” Who doesn’t love the beauty of a dancer. I felt that this image presented a different view of a traditional dancer. I love the lines, the mood and the movement of this composition. 1/500 sec, f/2.8 ISO 100 70-200mm 200mm
All Images © Billy Dzwonkowski
“Trapped” This image of the hands really seemed to create strong reactions with almost everyone who sees them. I really love the power of that this image evokes. 1/100th of a second. f/14 ISO 100 24-120mm at 70mm
that you would recommend to other photographers and why. Not so much a Photoshop tip as it is just a rule of thumb. If you can fix it in camera DO IT. Why spend more time editing out the light stand leg when you could have just moved it. Don’t rely on Photoshop to save you, do it right the fist time it just makes life so much easier. I’m sure most of you are like me, we love shooting, Photoshop not so much. LF: What advice would you have photographers who are starting out?
for
camera settings lighting poses you’ll take your game to a whole new level. Education really helps prevent you from getting into a rut and doing the same thing over and over LF: Thank you Billy, for more on his work please visit: http://www.billydphotos.com
Make sure you charge, don’t give your work away. I’m still working on this myself, but when you give your work away, not only do you hurt yourself, but you hurt the industry. Also please, please, please continue your education, yes it’s very easy to put the camera on P and let it rip, but when you can control all your variables, IE: 13
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“Midnight Express� This image only has 2 lights in it. 3 if you want to count the candle in the lantern. The camera was placed on a tripod with a 10 second self timer, followed by a 30 second exposure with a rear curtain flash. This allowed my model to not have to be perfectly still. The flash was a 400 watt second Alien Bee off of camera left about 14 feet away from the back of the train car. Everything else in this image was painted with light by me. I ran around the train car with an LED flashlight. After pressing the shutter I had 10 second to run to the far side of the train car to back light it. The fog was a nice addition to show more light. I counted for 6 or 7 of light coverage on the back side of the train, turned the light off and ran between the back of the car and the camera when I got to the front side of the train I knew I needed to place a little light behind the model from a previous shot. After a touch of light there I ran to the back of the car and painted light down the length of the car making sure not to shine any light into the camera lens. After about 6 shots and tripping over railroad tracks I got this image. 30.0 sec, f/1.8 ISO 400
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Last Meeting
We always enjoy seeing our friends. If you have not been back I highly recommend to come back and join us. From left to right, top to bottom: Arnie Berns Kate Hill Moore & Martha Thompson Jennifer Gerardi & Hal Stephan Michael DeMartino Carmen Schettino, Marina Proskurina, Michael DeMartino. Keith Baumbaugh. Donna Williams Gigi O’Dea Jennifer Gerardi and her friend from New York Billy Dzwonkowski introducing our awesome speaker Booray Perry Booray Perry speaking to our audience.
We always appreciate our vendors who provide us with door prizes. Please support our vendors: Johnson Photo Imaging Pro Camera Cases Pro Photo Imaging Reedy Photo
PHOTOS BY MARIA LYLE PHOTOGRaPHY 16
Salon News by Billy Dzwonkowski PRINT OF THE MONTH: Each member may enter one 8x10 print each month. The winner is determined by ballot with each BPPA member getting one vote. Entering 1 point First Place 2 points CREATIVE QUARTERLY: There is a ‘Theme’ announced for each quarter. Each member may enter up to two 8 x 10 prints per quarter. The winner is picked by the Master Photographer members of BPPA that are in attendance. Prints for Creative Quarterly will be judged in March, July, September and November. Points are awarded as follows: Entering = 1 point First Place = 2 points Second Place = 1 point Themes for the remainder of the year: July: Relaxation September: Work November: Play SALON PRINT COMPETITION: There are three salon competitions during the year. Entering a Case (1-6 prints) 2 points Be sure to create top photography for your clients for the upcoming Salon in JUNE and later in OCTOBER. In the meantime, collect your best and be ready to compete.
CLICK HERE TO DOWLOAD RULES AND ENTRY FORM FOR OUR NEXT SALON IN JUNE: Salon Print Competition Rules Salon Entry Form
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Florida Professional Photographers Delegate’s News by Heidemarie Burke Florida School Of Photography In Daytona Monday, June 1-5, 2014 There are still some spots available for photographers to enroll for Florida School Of Photography, which is held in Daytona Beach at the campus of Daytona State College.
Cost for FPP and PPA members is $599 for non-members $775. For more information call 813-760-1933 or register online, www.fpponline.org Please click here for the fun learning experience that the School can be. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCz1nrPlYM8&feature=youttu.be Produced by Charlie Coury Apple Video & Photography Studio 3298 Pascal Avenue North Port, Florida 34286 (941) 426-0093 (941) 740-1515 www.applevp.com
Florida 2014 Convention In Orlando Saturday, August 9, 2014 - Monday, August 11, 2014t
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ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES We are a community of professional photographers and we would love to see your ad in our Newsletter. If you are interested, please reach Maria Lyle at 941.362.1957 | maria@marialylephotography.com
SIZE
1 MONTH
6 MONTHS
1 YEAR
Business Card
$15.00
$75.00
$135.00
Quarter Page
$30.00
$150.00
$270.00
Half Page
$45.00
$225.00
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Full Page
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3.675” W x 2.375” H 4.25” W x 5.5” H 8.5” W x 5.5” H 8.5” W x 11” H
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
In order to avoid missing out on this year’s exciting Salon Print Competition is the program for March, Ju The other meetings are designated for Print of the M Monday, May 12 (RSVP by Friday, 5/9 by Noon) - ”Ramblings of a Mad Man” By John Woodward - Print Of The Month Monday, June 9 (RSVP by Friday, 6/6 by Noon) - President assigns Nomination Committee consisting of three Past Presidents of BPPA to fill Board of Directors positions. - Scheduled Program: Salon Print Competition Monday, June 1-5, 2014 Florida School Of Photography www.fpponline.org Monday, July 14 (RSVP by Friday, 7/10 by Noon) - General Meeting Nominees for board positions are announced at the general membership meeting and published 30 days before the Annual Meeting. - Scheduled Program: TBA - Print Of The Month - Creative Quarterly: Theme: “Relaxation” Monday, August 11 (RSVP by Friday, 8/1 by Noon) - Annual Meeting of the Corporation And Election of New Board Members - Scheduled Program: TBA - Print Of The Month Saturday, August 9, 2014 - Monday, August 11, 2014 Florida 2014 Convention www.pponline.org/convention_general_info.php Monday, September 8 (RSVP by Friday, 9/5 by Noon) - Scheduled Program: TBA - Print Of The Month - Creative Quarterly: Theme: “Work” Monday, October 13 (RSVP by Friday, 10/10 by Noon) - BOARD: Review Dues and Fees structure for the upcoming year. - BOARD: Set date and plan for Annual Banquet General Meeting - Scheduled Program: Salon Print Competition Monday, November 10 (RSVP by Friday, 11/7 by Noon) - BOARD: IRS Reporting of 990-N Non Profit Status - BOARD: Review Awards and Certificates for Annual Banquet (get plaques and certificates on order) 22
programs, please add these dates to your calendar. une and October meetings. Month and Creative Quarterly. Please note the following for details - Scheduled Program: TBA - Print Of The Month - Creative Quarterly: Theme: “Play” December (TBA) Annual Banquet, First Sunday of the month Board Meeting: None General Meeting: None - Turn Over and Planning Meeting: Scheduled by the upcoming president between Christmas and New Years. All Board Members, New and Old Committee Chairs should attend.
FINANCIAL REPORT BPPA members, please note that all financial documents are available for inspection. Please contact our Treasurer, Arnold Berns, to view these reports. Thank you for your membership in our professional organization.
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Bay Professional Photographers Association is working with SunCoast Blood Bank We would like to invite you to attend a special event for a special girl!
Honorary Blood Drive for Maya McKibbin Please ca to resell Maria Lyle r ve you at 941. r Dona 362.19 tion Tim 57 WHEN: Saturday, May 10, 2014 e
9:00 AM to 1:00 PM WHERE: on the front parking lot of Saba Plaza 1055 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236 (located on the corner of 41 and Bahia Vista)
In addition, the members of this organization are working together to provide you with a Mother’s Day Special at a reduced price. Sessions are inside Saba Plaza. Available for one day only for either
“Mother’s Day Mini Portrait Session” (Includes 1 5x5 FB digital file) or
“Facebook Profile Mini Portrait Session” (Includes 1 5x5 FB digital file)
Suggested donation $45.00 All proceeds will go to the family to offset medical costs.
This is Maya. She was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called Ewings Sarcoma on in 2013. She is considered to be stage three with a very good chance of survival. Maya has received over 30 units of blood and platelets since the beginning of this journey . She gets a new lease on life with every transfusion.
All donors are automatically entered to win one of the following Two Prizes: One Beach Portrait Session with One 11x14 Print with Maria Lyle Photography OR One $100 Gift Certificate from Patricks On Main Gift Certificates are NOT redeemable for cash.
If you are unable to attend this event, you can always stop by and donate blood on her behalf. Please use the following Code #5124 www.scbb.org SUNCOAST BLOOD BANK 1760 MOUND STREET | SARASOTA, FL 34236-8501 Walk-ins are welcome or by appointment to Schedule Blood Donation: 941.954.1600 24
Participating Professional Photographers Stephanie Dubsky
Billy Dzwonkowski
Kelly Kearns
Maria Lyle
Gigi O’Dea
Pilar Ojeda
Marina Proskurina
Carmen Schettino
Donna Williams
Marina Yuhko
Follow Maya’s story and visit her blog: www.mayaspuffercheeks.wordpress.com To learn more about childhood cancer please visit: www.thetruth365.org
Sweet, smart, bubbly and a bookworm; those are some of the words that you can use to describe my middle daughter Maya. She is the princess of the family centered between the tomboy (little sister Cali) and the protective mother hen (older sister Lakota). Maya loves her panda bears, everything Paris and anything girly. Being the straight A student since kindergarten she has high expectations of herself academically. Maya also loved her long brown hair... the long brown hair that she no longer has thanks to her diagnosis of stage 3 Ewings Sarcoma in July of 2013. Maya use to be my sensitive child, the one that cried at the drop of a hat because something, anything didn’t go as she expected. My husband Adam and I spend quite a bit of time trying to toughen her up so that she accepts the short end of the stick life hands her at times without tears. When she started complaining initially of pain in her right thigh, we thought it was growing pains that many preteens experience and told her to toughen up, As the pain grew stronger, we took her to the podiatrist, and her pediatrician realizing that there might be more to her pain. We did x-rays of her thigh, when that didn’t show anything we did a blood test. Nothing was wrong, everything was normal. The pain grew stronger, Maya was up late at night not being able to sleep due to pain. Her pediatrician suggested a sonogram to check for endometriosis. That’s when I saw the tumor on her right hip pop out of her side when she laid down. “My hip” was Maya’s answer to what it was. Looking back I regret giving my children privacy and not checking their body for possible abnormalities, perhaps I would have caught the tumor before it became a stage three malignant monster. Trust me, you could only see the tumor when she laid down with her hip exposed. Regrets, there are many. That was July 19, 2013. We were sent to All Childrens Hospital in St. Pete for a CT scan to find out what was causing her pain. At 9pm that night after blood tests, CT scans, x-rays, PET scan and another ultrasound, Adam and I were told that Maya has a malignant tumor. Maya was immediately admitted to the seven south pediatric oncology & hematology unit. Even Though the shock of the diagnosis almost paralyzed us, we grew stronger. After more testing, MRI, biopsy, port installation and bone marrow aspiration, the official diagnosis of Ewing's Sarcoma stage 3 was given to us on July 23rd and she started her 6 cycles (12 weeks) of chemo on July 25; six days after we came in for a CT scan expecting results on the following Monday. Our home away from home became ACH seven south, the oncology nurses and doctors became our family. We thank God for blessing
us with such an amazing hospital and staff. Maya truly has the best care she could possibly ask for. When she was diagnosed we were told she was not a surgical candidate due to the location of the tumor on her right hip and how it was wrapped around the bone (the pain in her right leg was referred pain from the tumor) and our only option was radiation. This meant that our daughter will never be able to have children of her own, will always have brittle bone. What choice did we have? We were going to fight for her at any cost. The fight cost Maya the most. She lost her beautiful hair, eyebrows and eyelashes that were a mile long. She lost her seventh grade year at school with her friends and at the end of the 12 weeks of chemo, she also lost her tumor, which was 100% dead along with her right hip bone. She did not need any radiation because the tumor was dead! What an answer to prayer!! God really blessed Maya and provided her with the best surgeons, doctors, nurses and hospital. She is now in what is known as the consolidation cycle of chemo which consists of another 11 cycles (22 weeks) of treatment. By then of of all her treatments she would have received 17 cycles of chemo (34 weeks of treatment). One of the main effects of chemo is killing all rapidly dividing cells; cancer cells, blood cells, hair cells, etc., because of this Maya has needed a whole lot of blood transfusions. to date, she has received over 60 units of platelets and around 30 units of hemoglobin. She could not fight this battle without blood donors. Other children fighting this battle could not fight without blood donors. Maya gets a new leash in life with every donation. I can see the deflated balloon within her get as full as her spirit is. Through out this battle Maya has lost many things, but she has not lost her spirit. I encourage everyone to please donate blood if you are able. Its been indescribably hard to watch my 13 year old travel this road, but she does it with such strength, determination and courage. Cancer may have taken some things away from Maya, but she has found her true self through all this. As a mother, my heart burst with joy when I see her struggling to walk, but not giving up. When I see that mischievous smile that tells me she is ok, my heart melts. When she makes deals with me to eat all the ingredients that I can juice because she rather eat it than drink it, I just laugh and let her eat them instead. I have seen my daughter gain more independence in a wheelchair than she ever had when she could walk . I struggle to stay positive at times, but she rarely breaks down. She is my hero. Sashika McKibbin
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Q&A Do I need to eat before donating blood? Yes, absolutely it will help to have a healthy meal and drink water before donating blood. Coffee is not recommended. Food and water prevents passing out after donating blood. Where exactly will I go to donate blood on Saturday, May 10th from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM? There will be a Blood Bank Bus in the parking lot, accross the Dive Shop and Sahara Restaurant. You can’t miss it. There will be ample parking in the back of Saba Plaza. 1055 South Tamiami Trail Suite 110A Sarasota, FL 34236 Do I need to make an appointment for this particular day? It is highly recommended. Maria Lyle has volunteered to accept calls so that Suncoast Community Blood Bank staff can work effectively. You may call Maria Lyle at Maria Lyle Photography, Studio 941.362.1957. What if there are too many people and I don’t want to wait. Not a problem, you may go directly to SUNCOAST BLOOD BANK which is very near Saba Plaza. What is this about photos? The photographers are members of Bay Professional Photographers Association and Sashica, the mother of Maya was a long time member and we want to help her. And because it is Mother’s Day, we thought that we could offer our service for those that wanted portraits done. We are asking for a donation that is going directly to the family. Where are the photos going to be done? Inside Saba Plaza in 3 different locations. We will have helpers that can direct you. It’s going to be FuN, quick and painless. All you have to do is smile and enjoy. What will I get? Each photographer will be e-mailing you a digital file for your Facebook page, so that you may enjoy the image. You can certainly order more prints if you so desire. If I want photos done, what should I wear. If you want more traditional, wear black tops with sleeves. We will also have more fun, and you can wear whatever you want. 26
I want to donate money to Maya but I don’t want to donate blood, how may I do this? Indeed you can, and we thank you for supporting a family in financial medical distress. Please write a check to Maya McKibbin For now you can send the check to: Maria Lyle Photography 1055 South Tamiami Trail Suite 110A Sarasota, FL 34236 Maria is organizing the event on behalf of Bay Professional Photographers Association for the purpose of helping a child in need. In this case being Maya. Maria will responsible to pass the proceeds to the family. If I can’t make it on Saturday, May 10th, can I donate on another day? Yes, and please use code #5124 for Maya McKibbin. Where can I go and donate blood on another date? You can go to 1760 Mound Street, Sarasota, FL 34236 Do I need to make an appointment? You can certainly make an appointment to save you time. Please call 941.954.1600 But, please know that Walk-Ins are welcome anytime and please don’t forget to mention Maya McKibbin’s code #5124 to ensure she receives your donation when she needs it. -------------------------------------FOR A CHANCE TO WIN ONE OF THE TWO DOOR PRIZES PLEASE FILL AND BRING WITH YOU WHEN DONtATING BLOOD. (ONLY APPLICABLE ON SATURDAY, MAY 10, 2014).
NAME________________________________ ADDRESS _____________________________ ______________________________________ E-MAIL________________________________ PHONE______________ HONORARY BLOOD DRIVE FOR MAYA McKIBBIN
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