LUXEMBURG, Wis. — Breast cancer is commonly associated with women, but men can be diagnosed with it as well.
About 1 out of every 100 breast cancers diagnosed in the U.S. is found in a man, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The owner of Art-C Photography in northeast Wisconsin is bringing awareness to the male struggle with the disease with a Dad Bod Calendar.
Kayla Valdez recently spent 12 hours on a Dad Bod Calendar photoshoot in Luxemburg. It was one of several hours-long photoshoots for the calendar.
Valdez said it’s a lot of effort, but worth it to help bring awareness to breast cancer. It’s a disease that has plagued her family.
“I lost my aunt in 2005. She left behind two really young children. Then my uncle passed away in 2014,” she said.
Valdez said doctors missed her uncle’s breast cancer until it was terminal.
For the past two years, she has illustrated the male battle against the disease humorously with her Dad Bod Calendar.
“We wanted to mix it up and bring light to the men who have breast cancer too. So, in 2022, we decided we would shoot men that year. In doing it, we wanted it to be fun and heartfelt, and laugh,” Valdez said.
Joe Counard was one of 12 men who struck a pose for breast cancer awareness in the chilly woods of Luxemburg.
Counrad said he braved the cold because a close family member lost their fight with the disease.
“My grandmother passed away from cancer, but her cancer started out with breast cancer and she had a double mastectomy. I just wanted to do something for her,” Counrad said.
Counrad’s photo will be added to the 2024 Dad Bod Calendar. The proceeds from sales of the calendar will be donated to Ribbons of Hope, a resource for breast cancer survivors.
Counrad said he’s happy to give back to survivors.
“It makes me feel really good, but I’m just out here to show support. I mean, the feeling is only part of it. That the profit in the money going towards them is really what I’m here for,” Counrad said.
Ribbons of Hope helped Lisa Hiska. Three years ago, her double mastectomy made work impossible. Hysa said she was thankful the organization stepped in to help her.
“Ribbons of Hope helped me pay for a couple of bills with me taking off from work in April until July. I was behind on some bills and they helped me catch up on bills and pay some of them for me, which helped tremendously,” Hyska said.
While the Dad Bod Calendar brings levity to a very serious disease, Valdez said it’s important to focus on the big picture.
“We get great laughs while we’re out here shooting it, but most importantly, a portion of all net proceeds are going to stay right here in northeast Wisconsin, going to the Ribbon of Hope Foundation,” Valdez said.