By John DeCoste
A Valley native has used her photography business to help promote the Movember campaign to aid prostate cancer research.
Heather Rushton of Twin Bridges Photo admits she thought up the idea of photographing 48 Valley women who donned moustaches and costumes of their own choosing “partly as a fundraiser and partly as a fun thing to do.”
The results, made into a video by Kristy Taylor of Hantsport-based Taylored Memories Editing and Videography Services, are viewable on Rushton’s website at www.twinbridgesphoto.com.
Rushton, a New Minas native who recently returned to live in Wolfville after spending the last 10 years living and working in Halifax, came up with the idea as a response to the Movember initiative, which sees men grow moustaches each November to raise awareness and funds for prostate cancer research.
“I committed to donate $5 on behalf of every woman who agreed to participate,” Rushton said last week – “and almost every participant matched my donation” to Prostate Cancer (Atlantic Region).
“I think the cause is important, and I also felt it was important for me to make some sort of an effort on their behalf.”
As part of her business, Rushton has begun a program called Images of Gratitude, through which she invites individuals to nominate people who have done something good in their community. She then takes their photo and posts it on her website.
“I’ve been doing it since June,” she says, adding, “the moustaches were November’s monthly project.”
In all, 48 women from the Valley agreed to participate.
“Everyone who took part was just thrilled,” Rushton said. “Everyone came with their own idea of what to wear and what to represent, and with their own story of how prostate cancer had affected their lives and why they wanted to take part.”
As the video attests, the participants “came from all walks of life” and all had their own personal reasons for participating.
“I like to do projects that give me a good feeling – things that make me feel good, and that I’m able to make a difference,” Rushton added.
The Images of Gratitude project in general, and the Movember project in particular, “are part of how I give back,” she said. “I plan to continue to do this kind of thing. It helps my business grow, which makes me happy, too.”
Specific to the Movember project, Rushton admits, “it was really well received, and everyone had so much fun. I’d definitely like to repeat it again next year.”
