Carson Catlin's "mfc" custom Munny is a touching remembrance and tribute.

I tend to shy away from using large quotes on here, but given the deeply personal nature of this piece I present — in his own words — Carson Catlin's description of the above pictured "mfc" custom 7" Munny:

My father, Melvin, was diagnosed with Stage Lung 3 cancer in late August of 2011. He was given a regimen of Chemo and radiation. A few long months later, he was told he was in remission. Unfortunately, our joy was short lived as he developed a gnarly case of Pneumonia. After months of failed treatments, he couldn't go anymore and had to be admitted to the hospital. I got to go home and spend a solid week with my father - for that I am very grateful. The day I got back home to Kansas City, I spoke to my father and his spirits were high. He told me he would be getting out that week which put me at ease. The next morning my mother called me to let me know that my father had a convulsion in the middle of the night and was now on a ventilator. It was discovered then, that he had 3 brain tumors. He left us a week later from septicemia.

mfc - his initials - is a 7" munny created to symbolize my fathers cancer that eventually took his life. The right lung is visible (location of the initial tumor) and so are the three circles on the back of the head (tumors in his brain). Everything radiates from the tumors representing the septicemia. He is colored with a southwest blend of colors as my father was fond of them.

As someone that has gone through the horrors of having a parent with cancer not only can I relate to the above but I understand exactly where Catlin is coming from. The "mfc" Munny will be auction off at the "Shave to Save Art Auction" which raises money for the KC Hope Lodge, a place where cancer patients can live while getting the medical attention they need. This charity event will be held on Friday, April 6th with an art preview between 5:30 and 6:30PM with the silent auction taking place in half-hour immediately following. The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held at the VML Gallery, 2020 Baltimore Ave., Kansas City, MO 64108.