I was sitting here at my computer editing photos… who’s i don’t remember.  but i do remember my phone buzzing with a text message from one of my best friends, Julie.  it went a little something like this:

“hey there, just keeping you in the loop.  They’ve found a tumor in Jason’s brain.  he’s going in for surgery right now. ”

Jason Decent is Julie’s long term boyfriend.  the boy she dated all through college and law school.  a boy who faithfully attended almost all dance team events (julie and i were on the team together, as well as roommates). Even then they were more committed to each other in college than some married couples i know now; i sometimes forget that they haven’t had an official ‘ceremony’ yet.  i thought maybe it was a cruel joke; when you think about someone you love finding a brain tumor you dont think you’ll hear about it via text. and then that’s when i realized that’s exactly how you’d find out… you want your close friends to know, but when it’s an emergency situation, you dont have time to call.  you need love and support right then, without having to breakdown.  Love and strength were sent via text back to her and to jason and their families.  it wasn’t until a day later that i got the chance to talk to her on the phone.

Jason had just moved to L.A. to be closer to Julie after their long distance relationship while he was in Law School in Milwaukee. He had just taken and successfully completed the bar exam (remarkably), but had been experiencing dizziness and trouble with balance.  The doctors had attributed it to Vertigo, but two days after Christmas the headaches had gotten so bad they went to the hospital, and there they were given the stunning diagnosis.  Jason is only 27 years old.

Jason’s surgery had gone well, but they needed to go back in within 24 hours to remove more of the tumor which was the size of a lemon pressing on his cerebellum.  The surgeries were successful, but julie and jason later found out that the tumor was stage 3 cancer, and he would need chemotherapy  and radiation treatments as well as lots of physical therapy. Because of such an invasive brain surgery and tumor, Jason needed to re-learn how to do basic functions like swallow, walk, and speak.  The mere thought of having to re-learn these tasks while trying to wrap your mind around ‘cancer’ is something i can not even begin to comprehend. he is truly the bravest and strongest man i know. Recently, he has received good news that the therapy has been working, but he has a very long road ahead of him.

Julie, meanwhile has been steadfast, helping mentally, physically, and financially support Jason and their struggle.  When i received the news, after the initial shock i began to think about some of the more practical worries.  Julie and Jason were out there in California alone, with no family.  Would the hospital respect Julie’s relationship with him even though they weren’t married?  how would they be able to manage with Julie’s salary as a dancer, and Jason’s student loans from law school and undergrad? would he be able to return to work? Recently, a fundraiser was held to help them offset the cost of medical and living expenses, and we want to do our part too.  We know that there are more expenses associated with this battle than just hospital stays and medication, one entire income has been lost, there are student loans to be repaid, and there are times that Julie has been taken away from her career as a professional dancer and instructor to selflessly help nurse Jason back to health.

So, on Friday May 6, join SugarLeaf Photography at the historic (and AMAZINGLY AWESOME) Iron Horse Hotel in Milwaukee, WI for a photography fundraiser with all proceeds going to Jason and Julie for their fight against brain cancer. I’ll be scheduling 30 minute mini-sessions with a suggested donation of 100.00, and will photograph any genre!  portraits, pets, bridal, maternity, engagements, product photography, you name it!  Even if you dont need photographs, i can schedule 30 minute photography lessons for that DSLR that you own but can’t quite figure out!  OR maybe you do have your DSLR figured out, but you just want to take your photography to the next level.  or, if you just want to come hang out with us and bring us coffee and donate money just to donate, then that is welcome too!

To reserve your spot email

lexia@sugarleafphotography.com   subject line: DECENT

and do be sure to state what type of photography you’d like, and if you’d like to reserve more than one block of time.