In the movie ‘Calendar Girls,? women decide to produce and sell a calendar of themselves nude to raise money for leukemia research.
Inspired by that movie, which was based on a true story, a group of area women are attempting the same tactic to help pay for a liver transplant needed by their friend and neighbor Teresa Tersigni, of Michael Mortgage in Clarkston. The women gathered at Linda Walsh-Lapinski’s residence in Independence Township on Sept. 21 to celebrate releasing the 2006 calendar titled ‘Sassy Ladies.?
‘I’m pretty proud of our efforts. It turned out well being the first endeavor. I’m proud of the ladies. They had to pay $150 to do it,? said Walsh-Lapinski who helped organize and pose for the calendar.
The calendar, started in June, was shot at several locations in the area including Metamora, the Pine Knob Mansion, Indianwood Country Club, Davisburg, Holly and Bloomfield Hills, said Bisogni.
According to Bisogni, many of the women were initially nervous with being undressed at the shoot, but felt comfortable as the project was conducted in good taste.
‘I wasn’t going to do it at all, but some of the others convinced me. By the end I was comfortable. I surprised myself, I’m really glad I did it,? said Bisogni.
Approximately 55 ladies posed nude in the 2006 calendar. Bisogni said roughly 70 women volunteered, some who did not even know Tersigni. Scheduling conflicts prevented several from participating. All the women are middle-aged and above, with one participant in her early 90’s. Selling of the calender will be done by the women who posed.
Bisogni said 1,500 copies were produced and the total cost of production was over $5,000 when completely done.
After Bisogni came up with the idea, Walsh-Lapinski and Judy Addis were immediately interested and volunteered to cochair the project. All three women credit photographer Peter Gilles with adding a professional, creative and tasteful touch to the calendar.
‘We’d be light years away from this if it hadn’t been for the photographer,? said Bisogni.
‘We could not have done this without him,? added Addis.
Costs of the medical procedures to help Tersigni may exceed $1 million dollars after the insurance payment, according to a letter to rally support written by Bisogni. She said the process is further complicated because no hospitals in Michigan are approved by Tersigni’s insurance company, so additional costs for nursing care, travel and medications will mount.
‘Teresa is a caring person and is usually on the giving end and not the receiving end. She’s very active in church and has done a lot of charity work,? said Bisogni.
Bisogni’s letter also states that Tersigni not only helped raise her six younger siblings after losing her mother at age 13, but is regularly involved helping sports programs for underprivileged children and putting together care packages for service men and women.
Fund-raising efforts, with the goal of raising $100,000, surpassed $50,000 since last fall and included several events like a bowl-a-thon and luncheons, said Bisogni.
‘Sassy Ladies? is selling for $15. Checks are payable to the Psi Sigma Bet Sorority with ‘liver transplant fund? in the memo section. For more information, call Louise Bisogni at 248-625-5556, ext. 140.