Two By Twelve was recently interviewed by Push Pause, a Verizon FiOs television program that features organizations that make a difference around New York. Push Pause has talked to many different groups, ranging from the Teddy Bear Clinic that teaches pre-K students basics in first-aid and EMS to South Side High School where a soccer tournament was hosted to raise money for those affected by Hurricane Sandy.
Talented videographer, Eric Alfredo, interviewed Two By Twelve and put together a video of the interview, featuring founder Emily Mottahedeh and Project Survive photographer Martha Superti, both donning their Two By Twelve t-shirts.
For those of you who are new to Two By Twelve, Project Survive is our long term photography initiative that seeks to reveal the triumphant side of young Pediatric Cancer patients, survivors and families. Martha takes black and white portraits of each young Cancer survivor, emphasizing the strength, courage, and beauty that exists within each young person affected by childhood Cancer. Many of them are seen with their family, those who were alongside them throughout the difficult times. We are trying to show the world that Cancer does not leave a negative impact on the individual. Instead, it empowers them because they are stronger than the disease they outlasted. At Two By Twelve, we believe this makes them truly extraordinary. Each of them has a story of survival that we want to share with you, one picture at a time.
In the interview, Emily and Martha talk about their inspiration for doing everything they do for Project Survive and Two By Twelve. Emily talks about her experiences with Cancer growing up and how she survived twice by the time she was twelve, resulting in our name, Two By Twelve. Martha talks about the two kinds of pictures she takes: portraits of survivors proudly displaying their scars and portraits of survivors with two dates, and sometimes just one, the first being the date of their diagnosis and the other being the date of their last treatment if they had one. Emily finishes off the interview with a message to any survivors or anyone currently undergoing treatment: "There is no one in the world that I consider to be more courageous and more beautiful than you are. It is a battle that is an incredibly difficult one but I've never met a single patient or survivor that doesn't inspire me and know that you and your story inspires people like me to tell your story, to tell the stories of other people who are going through what you are going through everyday."
Currently, we are in the process of creating a website to show the Project Survive photographs. So far, we have photographed over 10 participants, ranging from ages 12 - 27. We hope to take many, many more.
Many thanks to Eric Alfredo and everyone at Push Pause. Everyone at Two By Twelve is truly honored to join the ranks of all the other wonderful organizations you have interviewed and hope that you continue to distinguish these members of the community.
