Claudia Diethart, Mary (PEOPLE & PORTRAIT 2025)

Mary was diagnosed with breast cancer almost 10 years ago, which has after a period of remission now developed into metastatic cancer. After a long fight, years of research and trying everything western and eastern medicine had to offer she showed the world that there are a plethora of options when it comes to cancer treatment and has lived longer than any doctor anticipated. Even though she may not have long left, she feels she was meant to go through this journey to help her daughter in finding natural treatment options for her son’s autism. “That’s how life works. You get led to places and given signs and seeds and then you follow them. You have to trust.” Mary is currently visiting her daughter, most likely for the last time. I was honoured to be allowed into their home to capture them for an ongoing series about mothers and caregiving. Mary loves flowers, in particular roses, and incorporating them felt important. They are, in a way a testament to her. Blooming, even in the face of great uncertainty.

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.