New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
Meet Shanna Sears, a 28-year-old painter and residential remodeler.
Shanna grew up in New Bedford and at the age of 15 she emancipated herself due to family issues and finished her high school career living with a friend’s family. At the age of 22 she moved away to San Deigo, where she eventually got married and had a daughter. To everyone it appeared that she had overcome difficulty and now had a seemingly perfect life, but little did she know, the greatest challenge she would ever face was to come.
In February, she had a physical check up and everything was normal but a few weeks later, after noticing a lump, she went back in for an ultrasound , mammogram, and eventually a biopsy. It was then that she received the news that she had be diagnosed with triple negative stage-two breast cancer. In shock, she traveled back to New Bedford, where she knew she’d be able to seek treatment in Boston and be around the only family she really knew.
Between the months of May and September she received chemotherapy and went through a divorce, all while trying to raise her 3-year-old daughter, Randi. During this time she was overwhelmed with the response from the community around her, receiving phone calls from people she barely knew, offering to help in any way that they could. She even had a golf tournament held in her honor, which raised money that helped support her and Randi, as she wasn’t able to work during her treatment.
Today, after receiving a double-mastectomy, Shanna is cancer-free and truly grateful. She had always loved the community, but her appreciation has multiplied after seeing how it came together to in her time of need..
“It’s not about the money, gifts, or any of that, it’s about the endless acts of kindness that people have poured out to us. I know I’ve said it before but I am truly thankful for each and every person that has come along side of me to show their support. Everyday is a lesson and everyone is put in your life for a reason.”
Faces of New Bedford is a project by Colton Simmons. If you are interested in booking a shoot or getting prints from the series email all inquiries to colton@coltonsimmons.com
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