The photo book 'There We Are - Resilient Women'. — Photo nhaquanly.vn

HÀ NỘI — A captivating launch party for the photo book There We Are - Resilient Women took place at the Việt Nam Women's Museum on Wednesday.

The event was co-organised by the Resilient Women's Club Network in collaboration with the Việt Nam Women's Museum, the Writers' Association Publishing House and the Light Photography Club.

'There We Are - Resilient Women' showcases 58 striking portraits of women bravely living with breast cancer. Among them are 56 inspiring members of the Resilient Women's Club Network and two special guests: Phan Vũ Diễm Hằng, the head of the volunteer group 'Ong chăm', and the talented singer Hồng Nhung, both of whom are breast cancer patients.

Dedicated photographers from the Digital Light Photography Club captured these special moments, bringing to life the radiant beauty, unwavering determination and infectious optimism of each woman portrayed.

Accompanying the stunning images are 58 heartfelt bilingual Vietnamese-English stories that narrate their journeys in overcoming adversity. The tales spread faith and hope, inspiring countless individuals facing life's challenges. 

From the pages of this book, readers will discover that life-altering diseases do not extinguish the desire to live; rather, they can ignite courage and resilience, as they did for these remarkable women.

The publication of the book came to fruition thanks to the generous spiritual and financial support of donors, family, friends, and all those who believe in this empowering network.  

Organisers expressed their hope that this book will be distributed to cancer hospitals across the country, serving as a beacon of inspiration for those navigating the difficult path of cancer.

Founded in 2014 in Hà Nội, the Resilient Women's Club Network was established by breast cancer survivors with a mission to support those who follow in their footsteps, sharing knowledge, experience and spirit in the battle against the disease. 

Over the past 11 years, the network has expanded to 27 clubs across various localities, uniting more than 1,500 members nationwide. It operates without collecting membership fees and does not solicit charity, sustaining its activities through the voluntary contributions of its members and generous benefactors. 

The photo book is expected to inspire many cancer patients to overcome challenges. — Photo nhandan.vn

To date, the Resilient Women's Club has organised a plethora of meaningful activities for its members, including raising awareness about the disease and treatment, providing 151 health insurance cards to those in need and hosting 38 informative sessions on breast cancer for women in Hà Nội, Hà Nam, Quảng Ninh and various industrial parks. 

Other notable initiatives include the 'Smile of Resilient Women' photo exhibition at K3 Hospital in 2020 and the publication of 'Not Fighting Alone' in 2021.

In her inspiring opening speech at the event, head of the Resilient Women's Club Network Hoàng Thu Hà said: "What makes the book 'There We Are - Resilient Women' truly special is not only the artistry of the photography or the beautifully printed pages, but also the profound spiritual strength it conveys. 

"Through each page, we meet 58 radiant faces, each smile brimming with confidence."

She added: "Each accompanying bilingual Vietnamese-English story is a genuine glimpse into their lives, where challenges, tears and a fierce desire to live converge. These resilient women have transformed pain into strength, tears into smiles, and ignited a fire of belief for themselves and those around them." VNS