Ron Levy Photography Portfolios -- People, Animals, Conservation, Adventure, Travel

MOTIVATE & INSPIRE OTHERS -- AND SUPPORT CANCER RESEARCH

Proceeds from the sale of these posters go to the American Cancer Society

ANNOUNCING the release of the second poster in a series celebrating the determination of Iditarod mushers with that of cancer patients.

Entitled "Guiding Light", the main image features the Aurora Borealis illuminating the sky above an Iditarod musher along the Kuskokwim River.
The hands of 37 mushers surround the image, including a bandaged Mitch Seavey who withdrew from the 2011 race after slashing his hand on bailing wire.
Also included are hands of the "Father of the Iditarod", Joe Redington. Though he died in 1999, he has always been an inspiration to mushers and athletes all over the world.

The idea began in 2010, after photographing the race since the mid-1980s (and working as an EMT and Park Ranger in Arizona and Alaska).
In 2011, the first poster was available through ebay. Subtitled "Give a Hand to Cancer Research...These famous Iditarod mushers made it through to the other side... so can you,"
hundreds of dollars were raised, attracting buyers in 6 countries, including Australia, Mexico, and England.
It featured the hands of 8 famous mushers, including Lance Mackey, Jeff King, Rick Swenson, Dee Dee Jonrowe, Mitch Seavey, Martin Buser, Jim Lanier and Hans Gatt.

This year's poster unites the drive of Iditarod mushers and dogs, with the symbolism of the aurora.
The subtitle "Inner Motivation and External Inspiration" can help anyone reach their goals.

Hands can reflect a life of hard knocks, accomplishments, and hard-won experience, and this race epitomizes all these concepts.
Iditarod mushers' hands are silent testimonies to challenges that cause most people to throw in the towel.
Each cancer patient goes through their own Iditarod, and anyone going through hard times needs a team on their side and a lot of motivation to carry them through.

My own mother died of lung cancer (a non-smoker) in 2004, and I have been involved in several friends' and families' cancer struggles.
I've donated my time and money to shoot the images, design, print and distribute the posters at participating outlets.

BONUS: Shipping is free for every 2nd poster (i.e. 2 posters are shipped at same price as 1; 4 posters shipped at same price as 2, etc.)

PLEASE CONSIDER GETTING ONE OR MORE POSTER(S) AND DISPLAYING OR GIVING THEM TO WHOMEVER YOU THINK WILL BENEFIT MOST