Flashes of hope

ST. PETERSBURG - At All Children's Hospital, a special delivery makes its way to Makayla Muir and her mom.

Makayla was diagnosed with a very rare form of cancer three days before Christmas. It's been the toughest time in her life.

But some photographs are helping make things a little better.

Makayala got her pictures taken as part of the Flashes of Hope program -- it's a gift to kids and their families, and an opportunity to capture intimate, poignant moments they can treasure forever.

Makayla says the photo shoot and the pictures made her feel really special and pretty at a time when it's very rough.

"You're 12 and a half, and losing your hair, and going through treatment," said Sheri Balent, Makayla's mom.

"I like that one -- they're great!" Makayla says.

Photographers donate their services, and Aveda provides the make up and hair for every photo shoot.

"It's possibly the only record they have of family together," said Marc Silbiger, co-director of flashes of hope.

"The photographers of the Tampa Bay area are incredibly generous, besides being great artists. And once a month, we will take a family's photograph and individual photographs put together an entire photo shoot for children with life threatening illnesses," Silbiger said.

This is a different kind of therapy -- one that doesn't involve needles or pills, or surgery. It's a break from the worries of being in the hospital.

"Just not being in that room. Definitely not being in the room. And getting pampered, that was nice," says patient Anthony Wilson.

It's something they never would have thought of on their own and in many cases couldn't afford a photographer to do," Marc said.

And it comes during a time where everyday is precious.

"Everyday. Every moment every day," Sheri said.

There are 40 Flashes of Hope programs across the country. The goal is to provide these photographs to 12,000 kids this year.