Nida celebrates a five year milestone with a special day

Award-winning portrait photographer Nida Collins has everything to smile about this January as she celebrates being alive! Five years ago this month Nida was diagnosed with breast cancer. Now, she is healthy and living life to the full, enjoying her family and her photography business. 'I sometimes think that getting breast cancer was a gift in disguise,' said Nida. 'There"s nothing like a life threatening illness to force you to re-evaluate your life.' To celebrate her significant milestone and to say thanks to everyone who has helped her, Nida is hosting an audiovisual exhibition of her charity work in Larkin"s Bistro, Edenderry, next Thursday, January 29. The exhibit will include a huge selection of charity portrait work that she has done over the past five years. They are an instant reminder of the warmth, generosity, kindness and great community spirit locally. The shows will include before and after images taken of staff and residents in Ofalia House, a look inside the Oncology Unit in Tullamore hospital, another from the hugely successful Acorn Project celebrating the fantastic work of the pupils and staff there. There are also shots of the under 14 girls who won the county championship, the Taoiseach opening the Monasterori National School and many more. The highlight of the day will be The Elvis Audiovisual, which was taken for the Eden and District Charity Ball that raised in excess of €54,000. 'I received huge support and prayers from all over and the love and kindness astounded me. It"s impossible to explain what it means to know that people care and from that comes great strength. There has been a lot of sadness in those five years and dear friends who helped me through have since passed on and we have all lost people we loved. I believe the best gift we can give to them is to pull together be proud of our community, support our local businesses and celebrate what we have, as opposed to constantly focusing on what we don"t have,' said Nida. Nida wants the day to be a celebration of life and doesn"t want anyone to mention the "R" word! 'Our goal is to have a wonderful happy festival spirit throughout the day. There will be four showings to facilitate everyone. If you"re down town collecting your pension or during your lunch break or after work there is a time to suit you,' she added. Show times next Thursday are 11am (doors close at 10.50 so don"t be late!), 2pm (doors close at 1.50), 4pm (doors close at 3.50) and lastly 8pm (doors close at 7.50). Everybody is welcome and admission is free. Call Nida"s office on 046 9772763 to find out more.