Senator Hassan Recognizes Deborah Cross of Manchester as July’s Granite Stater of the Month
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan recognized Deborah Cross of Manchester as July’s Granite Stater of the Month. After surviving Stage 4 cancer, Deborah used her artistic talents to create photo journals to help other cancer patients process their emotions and find resilience.
After recovering from endometrial cancer in 2014 and living cancer-free for almost four years, Deborah’s cancer came back. While she was devastated by the news, she also found solace in a creative outlet that would also help others.
Deborah began creating booklets with strikingly edited photos of nature in New Hampshire, for example images of seagulls and ocean sunsets around the New England coast. Below the photos are blank lines where cancer patients can journal. Deborah hopes that the photos can evoke deeper emotions that patients might be struggling with in a time of intense personal hardship. In addition, some of the proceeds from the sales go to the North of Boston Cancer Resource.
Senator Hassan launched the “Granite Stater of the Month” initiative in 2017 to recognize outstanding New Hampshire citizens who go above and beyond to help their neighbors and make their communities stronger. To nominate a New Hampshire citizen to be a “Granite Stater of the Month,” constituents can complete the nomination form here.
To read Senator Hassan’s statement for the Congressional Record, see below.
I am honored to recognize Deborah Cross of Manchester as July’s Granite Stater of the Month. After surviving Stage 4 cancer, Deborah used her artistic talents to create photo journals to help other cancer patients process their emotions and find resilience.
After recovering from endometrial cancer in 2014 and living cancer-free for almost four years, Deborah received awful news from her doctor. Her cancer had come back. While Deborah was devastated by the news, she also found solace in a creative outlet that would also help others.
Deborah began creating booklets with strikingly edited photos of nature in New Hampshire, for example images of seagulls and ocean sunsets around the New England coast. Below the photos are blank lines where cancer patients can journal. Deborah hopes that the photos can evoke deeper emotions that patients might be struggling with in a time of intense personal hardship. In addition, some of the proceeds from the sales go to the North of Boston Cancer Resource.
Deborah exemplifies the Granite State spirit of giving back to others and bringing people together even during challenging times. She took an immensely difficult experience -- battling with stage 4 cancer -- and found her way through it by creating art that would touch others. I commend her for her work, and know that her story will inspire others to make a difference in their communities.
###
