The fight against cancer is a tough journey, and it’s not easy even for those who are present to witness it all. Jennifer and Angelo Merendino lived the fairytale they always dream of – getting married in Manhattan’s Central Park surrounded by friends and family, and sharing the romance we all dream about. Unfortunately, things took a turn when Jen found out she was diagnosed with breast cancer five months after the wedding.
“I remember the exact moment…Jen’s voice and the numb feeling that enveloped me. That feeling has never left. I’ll also never forget how we looked into each other’s eyes and held each other’s hands. ‘We are together, we’ll be ok,’” said Angelo’s in his blog.
While Jennifer struggled hard to fight the cancer, Angelo took a series of photographs titled, “The Battle We Didn’t Choose”. He wrote on his blog, “My photographs show this daily life. They humanize the face of cancer, on the face of my wife. They show the challenge, difficulty, fear, sadness and loneliness that we faced, that Jennifer faced, as she battled this disease. Most important of all, they show our Love. These photographs do not define us, but they are us.”
Inspired by his wife, Angelo also started a non-profit organisation whose mission is to provide financial assistance to women in need while receiving treatment for breast cancer called, ‘The Love You Share’.
Sadly, Jennifer lost her battle against breast cancer on December 12th, 2011.
“Love every morsel of the people in your life.” – Jennifer Merendino
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