In 2003, photographer Bob Carey and his wife Linda moved to New York City after 42 years of living in Phoenix. Six months after the move, Linda was diagnosed with breast cancer. Linda beat it but it came back in 2006. As Bob recalls:

“During these past nine years, I’ve been in awe of her power, her beauty, and her spirit. Oddly enough, her cancer has taught us that life is good, dealing with it can be hard, and sometimes the very best thing—no, the only thing—we can do to face another day is to laugh at ourselves, and share a laugh with others.”

 

 

“Ballerina” started in 2003 as a black and white self-portrait of Bob wearing a custom-made tutu as part of a fund-raiser. The New York photographer continued to take self-portraits by going out into the world wearing that pink tutu and nothing else.

 

 

In March of 2012, the overwhelmingly positive reaction to Bob’s photographs inspired the couple to raise funds and self-publish a book of the images entitled Ballerina. Thus began The Tutu Project.

 

 

Funds were raised by selling limited edition prints and other products. A portion of net proceeds from book sales are donated to breast cancer organizations. Ongoing fund-raising supports The Carey Foundation for women with breast cancer. In October 2012, the NFL and Bloomingdales stores nationwide featured The Tutu Project as their leading symbol for breast cancer awareness.

 

 

The Tutu Project’s mission is to support the fund raising efforts of The Carey Foundation for women with breast cancer. A portion of every sale is donated to the Foundation. Funds raised are provided directly to organizations that offer assistance with cancer-related costs like transportation to treatment, home care, childcare and medical supplies. Items for sale through The Tutu Project include: Postcards, the Ballerina Book, The Tutu Project Calendar, Triptych prints and Limited Edition Signed Prints.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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