First Place, Feature Picture Story - John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer
First Place, Feature Picture Story - John Kuntz / The Plain DealerDakota Bihn, 6, of Olmsted Falls looks at her mother Julie with apprehensive eyes from her hospital bed at Duke Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina with her own pillow donning some of the Disney Studio beauties January 27, 2006. Dakota was diagnosed with infantile Tay Sachs disease, a brain debilitating disease that has no cure and results in paralysis and eventually death,, Dakota is at Duke Medical Center to undergo a controversial cord blood transplant to replace her blood with donor stem cells.
First Place, Feature Picture Story - John Kuntz / The Plain DealerJulie Bihn has to secure the legs and arms of her daughter Dakota as Duke Medical Center RN Nancy Rawlins cleans the dressing around the IV tubes much to the discomfort of Dakota. Dakota is in the process of receiving three chemotherapy treatments that will kill her white blood cell count before they administer the cord blood transplant.
First Place, Feature Picture Story - John Kuntz / The Plain DealerJulie Bihn rubs her face from fatigue as she updates her Carring Bridge website on the state of her daughter Dakota who was diagnosed with Taysachs Disease in their room in the 5200 ward at Duke Medical Center January 25, 2006. The Bihn family from Olmsted Falls is undergoing a controversial cord blood transfusion to try and stop the progression of the debilitating and deadly brain disease. The medicine pump's green neon lights cast an eery glow in their room.
First Place, Feature Picture Story - John Kuntz / The Plain DealerBailey gives her sister Dakota a kiss through her mask cause Bailey had been sick earlier in the week in the 5200 ward at Duke Medical Center January 26, 2006. Bailey and her father Ken were in for a visit from Olmsted Falls as Dakota goes through the three chemotherapy treatments before the cord blood transfusion.
First Place, Feature Picture Story - John Kuntz / The Plain DealerDakota lies on her hospital bed January 27, 2006 as she receives her cord blood transplant from the rich stem cell blood from the umbilical cord of a recent birth as her family watches.
First Place, Feature Picture Story - John Kuntz / The Plain DealerDakota gets her lunch via a feed tube her father, Ken, administers July 10, 2006 at their temporary apartment in Durham, NC.
First Place, Feature Picture Story - John Kuntz / The Plain DealerKen holds his daughter Dakota May 29, 2006 during a check up at Duke Medical Center in Durham, NC. Dakota was diagnosed with juvenile onset Tay-Sachs disease and the progression of the brain debilitating disease has affected her speech and motor skills.
First Place, Feature Picture Story - John Kuntz / The Plain DealerJulie prepares her daughter Dakota's daily medications as husband Ken wakes up in the extra bed May 29, 2006 during his turn to sleep with Dakota in their temporary apartment in Durham, NC.
First Place, Feature Picture Story - John Kuntz / The Plain DealerDakota reaches up to get her hat back from dad, Ken, as sister Bailey enjoys the scene as they wait to get a room for their weekly check-up May 29, 2006 at Duke Medical Center in Durham, NC.
First Place, Feature Picture Story - John Kuntz / The Plain DealerDakota Bihn walks with her mother Julie and followed by dad, Ken, as she is showered with confetti by nurses and doctors who work in the 5200 floor at Duke Medical Center March 27, 2006 in Durham, NC upon her release.
First Place, Feature Picture Story - John Kuntz / The Plain DealerBailey hides in a cupboard at the families temporary apartment in Durham, North Carolina as her sister Dakota tries to find her with the aid of a walker as she gets some exercise July 10, 2006.
First Place, Feature Picture Story - John Kuntz / The Plain DealerBailey leaps over the smiley faces that were placed as decorations in the front yard of the Bihn home in Olmsted Falls August 22, 2006 in preparation of the return home of her sister Dakota after spending almost 7 months in Durham, NC battling her Tay-Sachs disease.
Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Chris Russell / The Columbus Dispatch
Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchAbout 60,000 Ohioans will be diagnosed with cancer this year. Since Audrey Luthringer was diagnosed with multiple myeloma she and her partner Lee Hopkins have been on a medical journey full of disappointments, surprises and some joy. After spending time in a long distance relationship, Audrey Luthringer, 51, and Lee Hopkins, 37, decided to buy a home together in Columbus. One month later Audrey was diagnosed with multiple myeloma.
Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchWhile the nurse begins to deliver her chemotherapy drugs, Audrey says a prayer. The process takes hours and she brought a DVD player to help pass the time.
Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchNeighbor and friend, Mary Orin comforts Audrey as Lee shaves her head in an elaborate ceremony in their living room to rid her of the hair that chemotherapy is destroying.
Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchAudrey is all smiles as Lee rubs lotion on her newly shaved head after an elaborate ceremony in their living room to shave her head.
Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchAudrey gasps with surprise after staring into the living room cabinet and seeing her newly shaved bald head following an elaborate ceremony at home to shave it.
Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchLee accompanies Audrey as she is wheeled into a room at the Arthur James Cancer Center after spiking a high temperature following another round of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy destroys Audrey's immune system and any infection could be fatal.
Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchLee climbs into bed with Audrey at the Arthur James Cancer Center. Audrey was running a high temperature and wore the hat constantly to try and keep her bald head warm .
Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchA nurse checks Audrey's temperature while Lee and Mary Orin look on from a fold out bed that Lee was using to stay overnight during Audrey's stay at the Arthur James Cancer Hospital.
Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchAfter being in and out of the hospital for weeks, Audrey and Lee get to spend some time at home decorating their Christmas tree during a break in Audrey's chemotherapy routine.
Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchLee laughs in the background as Audrey reacts to the bitter taste of her meds. Audrey had an extensive list of anti cancer drugs, anti depressants and painkillers she had to take in addition to her radiation and chemotherapy.
Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchLying in her hospital bed, Audrey is exhausted after reading portions of an Ohio State University Medical Center brochure on "Living Well at the End of Life". She was in the hospital again after reactions to another round of chemotherapy and beginning to give up hope.
Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchLying on the living room floor with the couples dog Libby, Lee spends time at home without Audrey. Audrey's health and fight with cancer continues and her long term prognosis is unknown.
Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Chris Russell / The Columbus Dispatch
Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchWhen Staff Sgt Kendall Ivy,28 was killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq he left behind three young children and his wife Lee Ann who was pregnant with their fourth child. The children of the dead are the youngest victims of the war and 65 children of Ohio soldiers were left behind when this story was published. Lee Ann Ivy, 28, holds her daughter Reagan and places a heart shaped pillow in her husband's casket at his funeral in May 2005.
Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchThe small town of Galion came out in full force to honor Marine Staff Sgt Kendall Ivy, 28, who was killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq in May of 2005.
Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchLee Ann Ivy carries newborn Gabriel through the living room doorway where a photograph of she and Staff Sgt Ivy Kendall rests on a bookcase. The photograph was taken on Kendall's last visit home and he would never meet his son, Gabriel.
Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchHolding a pair of Gabriel's diapers under her arms, Lee Ann gets the older boys ready for school while Reagan, 5, looks on and watches the early morning chaos.
Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchGabriel sleeps in a car seat in the back while Lee Ann rubs her tired eyes after dropping the older boys off at school.
Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchAfter begging his mother to show off his uniform, Harrison Ivy, 5, checks himself out in his replica "Marine Dress Blues" that Lee Ann bought before her husband was killed in Iraq. She had hoped to photograph the kids in uniform with their father.
Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchAt the end of a long day, Lee Ann and all the kids sit down to watch a movie. The family left the Marine base where they had been living to be closer to their relatives in Galion.
Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchWorking while the older kids are away at school, Lee Ann cleans and packs reminders of her life with Kendall as she prepares to move into a new home made possible by the payments she received for his death.
Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchIn their roomier new home, Lee Ann Ivy wakes up her sons Harrison and Caleb (left to right) who sneak from their separate bedrooms into her room at night to sleep together and be closer to her.
Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchLee Ann ponders her husbands gravestone likeness as her niece Aleta Rowe looks on for her reaction. The photo in the bottom right corner is the one used in the etching and is being held by an employee of the memorial company.
Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchHarrison Ivy looks behind at the special room dedicated to his father's memory in their new home in Mansfield. He was getting ready to head for school.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Greg Ruffing / Freelance
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Greg Ruffing / FreelanceThe Miss Rodeo Texas Pageant began in 1963 to promote Texas pride, Western heritage and the professional sport of rodeo. Miss Rodeo Johnson County Sheriff Posse Teen, Whitney Cooper (center, in pink) of Joshua, Texas, socializes with other contestants during the Miss Rodeo Texas Pageant as they take a tour of the historic Riverwalk in downtown San Antonio.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Greg Ruffing / FreelanceA shaft of sunlight illuminates Miss Tyler County Western Weekend Sweetheart, Kira Knaupp (left) of Fredericksburg, Texas, as she waits with her horse before competing in the horsemanship category. The horsemanship skill test includes tasks such as controlling the horse, riding at different speeds, and mounting and dismounting.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Greg Ruffing / FreelanceMiss Rodeo Sand Hills Teen, Kyla Yarbrough of Odessa, Texas, is all smiles and glam as she gives a speech to the judges about what Texas means to her.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Greg Ruffing / FreelanceMiss Rodeo Shelby County, Joanna Blackwell (left) of Center, Texas, and other contestants parade before the judges (silhouetted in foreground) while modeling evening wear. The fashion show marked the end of a week of contests--next it was time for the girls to prepare for the final Coronation the following night.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Greg Ruffing / FreelanceDressed in some of their most colorful Western-themed outfits, the girls line up on a rail for a group photo shoot. Each contestant arrived at the pageant with a slew of meticulously color-coordinated outfits.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Greg Ruffing / FreelanceOn their final night together before the Coronation day, Miss Rodeo Ring of Fire, Jessa Rew (top, center) of Boerne, Texas, plays guitar and sings Johnny Cash songs with other contestants as they wind down in their hotels room. Seen with her are (clockwise from lower left): Miss North Texas High School Rodeo, Stevi Roubion; Miss Rodeo Lufkin, Rosanna Pace; and Miss Tyler County Western Weekend Sweetheart, Kira Knaupp.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Greg Ruffing / FreelanceMiss Rodeo Sand Hills, Tyler Shea Lyda (right) becomes flustered as Miss Rodeo San Augustine, Michaelle Blake, tries to help fix her sash as the girls get ready backstage prior to the final Coronation. Miss Lyda would end up finishing in second place.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Greg Ruffing / FreelanceBeth Murphy (center), the reigning Miss Rodeo Texas, leads a group of this year's contestants in performing a dance routine on stage to the song "God Bless Texas" during the pageant Coronation. Seen here with Murphy are (L-R) Miss Rodeo Sand Hills, Tyler Shea Lyda; Miss Rodeo San Augustine, Michaelle Blake; Miss Rodeo Shelby County, Joanna Blackwell; and Miss United Professional Rodeo, Christin Lee Daugherty.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Greg Ruffing / FreelanceFamily members, contestants and pageant organizers gather to congratulate Joanna Blackwell (center) of Center, Texas, after she was crowned the new Miss Rodeo Texas at the final Coronation in San Antonio. Miss Blackwell will now go on to represent Texas in the Miss Rodeo America Pageant in Las Vegas, as well as tour the country doing promotional appearances.
