Supporting Cancer Research with Patience and Hope

Wildlife photography often teaches us patience, reverence, and the importance of cherishing fleeting moments. Just as we slow down to photograph a hummingbird in morning light or approach a deer quietly in the field, we are reminded how fragile life is. Today, I want to share a fundraiser supporting cancer research, honoring loved ones lost, and giving hope to families who still face the journey.


White-tailed deer standing still in tall meadow grasses, gazing alertly, a reminder of quiet moments in wildlife photography.
A deer stands watchful and still, a moment of pause that reflects memory, love, and hope. Nikon Z8 with the NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR, ISO 800, f11, 1/125

Supporting cancer research with the lens of compassion

I have spent years behind the camera, waiting for birds to settle on a branch or for soft light to reach the forest floor. These moments have taught me that life is not promised, it is offered—fragile, fleeting, and deeply precious.

Many years ago, cancer claimed the life of my wife’s mother. Her loss still echoes through our family. It is part of why I support this fundraiser, and why I am sharing it here. Every donation feels like a way of standing still, focusing, and refusing to look away.


Ruby-throated hummingbird hovering beside bright yellow flowers, wings glowing in morning light, capturing the fleeting beauty of wildlife photography.
A hummingbird hovers at blossoms, its fragile moment echoing the preciousness of life we honor through this fundraiser. Nikon Z8 with the NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR, ISO 900, f6.3, 1/3200, -0.33 EV

Why this fundraiser matters

Like wildlife photography, cancer research requires patience and persistence. Progress comes slowly, but every step forward matters. The fundraiser I am supporting will help families find hope, provide resources, and move us closer to a world where fewer lives are cut short.

When I photograph wildlife, I am always aware that some moments can never be repeated. Supporting cancer research is another way to honor those irreplaceable moments, ensuring more families have the gift of time.


Sandhill crane flying against a gray sky, wings extended in graceful motion, symbolizing patience and persistence in wildlife photography.
A sandhill crane in flight reminds us of steady persistence, much like the long journey of cancer research. Nikon D850 and Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6E ED AF-S VR, ISO 360, 1/3200, f5.6 -0.33 EV

Honoring memory and creating hope

A photograph preserves a memory, but love keeps it alive. This fundraiser is about both: remembering those we’ve lost and giving hope to those who continue to fight.

I invite you to join me in supporting this cause. Whether you give a little or a lot, it is a way of saying that life matters, that families matter, and that the moments we hold most dear are worth protecting.

Link to the American Cancer Society fundraiser on Facebook

edith reiss.webp
In Loving Memory of Edith Reiss

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