Beth Fairchild: Tattoo Artist & Cancer Advocate for METAvivor

The Atlantic City Tattoo Expo, celebrating its 12th ink and entertainment-filled year, has come and gone for this year. In case you missed the 3-day event at Bally’s Casino, my guest is the talented tattoo artist Beth Fairchild who happens to be the co-founder of the Expo. I had the good fortune to meet Beth a few years ago while photographing the AC event for Inked Magazine. Beth works out of Lucky Street Tattoo in NC and her specialty is permanent cosmetics, like lips, eyeliner, eyebrows, and nipple and/or areola restoration for post mastectomy breast cancer patients. Beth’s artistry is truly amazing and helps women reclaim their self-esteem after reconstructive surgery. Now for some irony. In May of 2014, Beth was diagnosed with Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer for which there is treatment but no cure. After extensive surgery and 18 grueling weeks of chemo, Beth proved to be a survivor. In her words, “I was a 34 year old, post-menopausal, bald-headed, terminal cancer patient, but I was alive, damn it! I was alive and LIVING and I set out to take back control of my life.” And she did. With a vengeance! Beth focused her energy on local events and social media to spread the under-reported message of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) which sadly is not a rare condition. Advocacy provided a reason to move forward and is another way for Beth to show her family that you can push on, even against all odds. Beth works with METAvivor which is dedicated to the specific fight of women and men living with stage IV metastatic breast cancer. After the interview, please check After Hours at Jersey Coastal Live for more info.