Its 2017, and time to share this year’s 2017 Prayers From Maria Sunflower Soireé!

Once again, I was honored to photograph for Prayers From Maria Children’s Glioma Cancer Foundation. Prayers from Maria raises awareness and funds to fight children’s cancer gliomas, the kind of really unfortunate brain tumors that leave the young patients and their families with little hope. It’s a type of cancer that needs more research, so that we can find a cure. The Prayers from Maria foundation was founded by Maria’s parents, Ed and Megan McNamara, who lost their daughter Maria 10 years ago this month to this horrible brain glioma. Each year, this amazing organization grows in size, strength , support and outreach. I love shooting this event , because I get to learn all of the amazing things that happened each year. This year, Prayers from Maria granted over $600,000 in four research grants to some amazing doctors. Each grant was named after a child who lost their battles with this disease.

Even though the event is build on a serious and very worthy platform, the night was filled with hope, laughter, and inspiration as lots of money was raised to continue Prayers for Maria’s amazing mission.

Welcome to the Soiree! This year it was held at the Superior Viaduct in Cleveland , Ohio.

Arriving in Style!

The view from the Viaduct was amazing!. A beautiful Summer night in Cleveland……

Megan and Ed, the courageous parents of Maria, who started this movement over 10 years years ago…

Rock the House provided some amazing lighting and Sunflower Gobos!

Dr. Mark Kieran- I love hearing about the advances he makes in his research each year. Its so uplifting.

Dr. Stephen Dombrowskki

Dr. Violette Recinos

A special treat- as the auctions raised a ton of funds- Cleveland’s own Terminal Tower turned the color of Sunflower Yellow in Honor of PFM! Pretty cool!!

A special thank you again to Prayers From Maria for asking me to shoot this beautiful event. Im so pleased I can contribute to the cause with my photography. It fills up my heart, and I take that inspiration with me into the year. Special thanks to Genevieve Menyhart, who shot the Soireé along side me this year, and contributed images to this blog post.

For more information and where to donate- Please contact Prayers From Maria. Also, if you are in the Cleveland area, make sure to visit the acres of sunflowers at the Maria’s Field of Hope in September in Avon , Ohio.

xoxox-Karen

“what can you say about a 7 year- old- girl who never stopped praying for others while battling terminal brain cancer? That she inspired a MOVEMENT”- The Prayers From Maria Foundation.