Powerful national photo exhibit - PhotoSensitive's Cancer Connections in
partnership with the Canadian Cancer Society - opens in B.C.

VANCOUVER, April 20 /CNW/ - She has lost her hair due to aggressive cancer treatment, but her eyes show serene, calm determination as she stares straight into the camera. This photograph, taken by Canadian singer and songwriter Bryan dams, is one of hundreds of images comprising the very moving Cancer Connections photography exhibition.

Cancer Connections, a national photography exhibition debuts in Vancouver on Tuesday, April 20 at 200 Granville Street and will run until May 2, 2010.

Note to Editor: The official launch event of Cancer Connections will take place today, April 20, 2010, at 10 a.m. in the concourse at 200 Granville Street.

British Columbians are invited to view this free outdoor travelling photography exhibition of more than 500 black and white images, which displays the many ways cancer affects the lives of Canadians. It features the work of professional and amateur photographers from across Canada who have been touched by cancer and were inspired to document its impact.

"Cancer Connections invites Canadians to tell their story of living with cancer through the power of black and white photography," says James Burns, coordinator of PhotoSensitive. "This sharing of images is a catalyst for engaging and connecting Canadians in conversations about cancer."

The tour will continue on to Calgary and conclude in Ottawa, Ontario in June.

"Each image captures a moment in somebody's cancer experience - it's very real and very personal," says Barb Kaminsky, CEO, Canadian Cancer Society, B.C. and Yukon. "People's determination to make life their priority, not cancer, weaves throughout the images. Every moment counts, both the hopeful ones and the tough ones."

Nancy Baye, a three-time cancer survivor, will help launch the British Columbia debut. She created Cancer Crusader (www.cancercrusader.com) to champion patients and survivors, and her monologues and plays about the cancer journey have been performed across the country.

Like previous PhotoSensitive exhibitions, Cancer Connections is attracting a broad spectrum of Canadians who have been touched by cancer. Staged in prominent outdoor venues, the exhibition is designed for maximum access to enable all to attend at no charge and engage in the experience.

PhotoSensitive, in partnership with the Canadian Cancer Society and sponsored by Chase Canada, launched Cancer Connections in 2008 to show the many ways cancer affects the lives of Canadians.

More information about how to submit photos can be found on the Cancer Connections website - www.photosenstive.com/cc.

To learn more about cancer, or join the fight against this disease, visit www.cancer.ca.

PhotoSensitive is a non-profit, national collective of photographers that harnesses the power of the camera to contribute to dialogue and impact on important issues of the day. For the past 19 years, the sum of these visions has provided compelling social comments on issues such as AIDS, child poverty, hospital care, health, racism, injustice, literacy among First Nations peoples, and the aftermath of the tsunami disaster.

Utilizing photographers across Canada to photograph issues that impact the well-being of Canadians, PhotoSensitive uses the camera to tell a story, spur viewers to action and change the world, one photo at a time. Cancer Connections is its most ambitious project to date.

All PhotoSensitive photographers freely donate their time and talent to every project. With the permission of June Callwood's family, PhotoSensitive dedicates Cancer Connections to her memory to honour her life and work. More information about PhotoSensitive can be found at www.photosensitive.com.

The Canadian Cancer Society fights cancer by doing everything we can to prevent cancer, save lives and support people living with cancer. Join the fight! Go to fightback.ca to find out how you can help. When you want to know more about cancer, visit our website at cancer.ca or call our toll free bilingual Cancer Information Service at 1-888-939-3333.

For further information: Catherine Loiacono, Manager, Media Relations, Canadian Cancer Society, BC and Yukon Division, Direct line: [phone], Cell: [phone], Email: [email protected]