Photo series at local children's hospital allows patients to tell their stories

ATLANTA — Patients at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center are sharing their stories in a series of powerful photos on their Facebook page.

Inspired by the popular series, Humans of New York, the photos tell the journeys of patients in the environment they experience every day.

"Before this I didn't think I was strong or that I could handle the challenges of life. Now I know I’m more grown up than I thought I was," said Madison Smith, 16, a patient photographed sitting on her hospital bed. Smith has Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

From bed sides to playing with clowns, the intimate photos help break the myth of the hospital being a "scary place" and show the bonds between patients, their familes and the hospital staff.

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Users have left comments on the photos with touching messages and it's even led others to share their own battles.

Cox Media Group