Sicilian Chess
In honor of World AML Awareness Day, this print (photographed in Sicily on film during my first big overseas excursion after I completed treatment) is being released as a metaphor for the battle against acute myeloid leukemia. Much like chess, a simulation of a war between two kingdoms, the fight against AML is an unrelenting series of crucial moves that aim to forge a path to one clear goal of remission and ongoing survival. However, the strategy is often complex and unpredictable, as the patient and their medical team must continuously blueprint and pivot in order to outsmart and ultimately conquer this rare and aggressive form of blood cancer. While a cancer diagnosis cannot and should not be reduced to a tactical board game, both scenarios do share quite a bit of crossover, and my hope is that this image will serve as not only a striking piece of art, but also as a representation of the 20,000+ who are diagnosed and forced to enter this war each year.
In honor of World AML Awareness Day, this print (photographed in Sicily on film during my first big overseas excursion after I completed treatment) is being released as a metaphor for the battle against acute myeloid leukemia. Much like chess, a simulation of a war between two kingdoms, the fight against AML is an unrelenting series of crucial moves that aim to forge a path to one clear goal of remission and ongoing survival. However, the strategy is often complex and unpredictable, as the patient and their medical team must continuously blueprint and pivot in order to outsmart and ultimately conquer this rare and aggressive form of blood cancer. While a cancer diagnosis cannot and should not be reduced to a tactical board game, both scenarios do share quite a bit of crossover, and my hope is that this image will serve as not only a striking piece of art, but also as a representation of the 20,000+ who are diagnosed and forced to enter this war each year.
In honor of World AML Awareness Day, this print (photographed in Sicily on film during my first big overseas excursion after I completed treatment) is being released as a metaphor for the battle against acute myeloid leukemia. Much like chess, a simulation of a war between two kingdoms, the fight against AML is an unrelenting series of crucial moves that aim to forge a path to one clear goal of remission and ongoing survival. However, the strategy is often complex and unpredictable, as the patient and their medical team must continuously blueprint and pivot in order to outsmart and ultimately conquer this rare and aggressive form of blood cancer. While a cancer diagnosis cannot and should not be reduced to a tactical board game, both scenarios do share quite a bit of crossover, and my hope is that this image will serve as not only a striking piece of art, but also as a representation of the 20,000+ who are diagnosed and forced to enter this war each year.
BACKSTORY
In April of 2021 I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, and two months later my dear friend and gifted photographer Jesse Chamberlin Marble joined the angels after a long and arduous battle with lymphoma.
Needless to say, blood cancer is far too close to home and becoming far too common. While I’m now in remission after finishing treatment in late 2021, I’m working to dedicate the rest of my days to giving back to those that have devoted their livelihoods to finding a cure for these horrific diseases.
As such, I will be donating 100% of proceeds from the sale of this framed print to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the world's largest voluntary nonprofit health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. Deepest gratitude for supporting my artistry and more importantly, for supporting a crucial cause and thus delivering real hope to blood cancer patients and their loved ones.