For kids with life-threatening illnesses, such as cancer, teaching kids to dream is very important.
Now, some of these kids are getting the chance of a lifetime, inspiring others, thanks to a project that helps them soar.
Photographer Jonathan Diaz is making dreams come true for young cancer patients.
“They came in with make-up and hair and it just felt so special,” said Cami, a cancer patient. “I felt like a movie star.”
Cami is one of 21 kids featured in the new book, True Heroes, featuring photos and short stories of children who, for one special day, get to battle dragons instead of cancer.
With make-up, costumes and technology, they are magically transformed into whatever they want to be: a pirate, mermaid or football star.
For their loved ones, it can be something to hold onto.
For Diaz, who founded the Anything Can Be project, it is about using his passion for photography to give something back, but he said what he gets out of it is even greater.
“They’ve taught me what it mean to fight for your life, fight for your dreams and fight for what you want to accomplish in this life,” he said. “I would say they’ve taught me more than I have ever taught them.”
There’s a lesson in every photo, not just about an incredible day, but a lifetime of hope.
On the day of Cami’s shoot, she received some incredible news: she is now cancer-free.
“If you put your mind to it, anything can really happen,” she said. “Just let your imagination take hold of that dream and don’t ever let it go.”
Kids who are already super heroes are now an inspiration for all of us.
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