Tattoos are often used as an outlet to document certain life events. For junior Pat Doane, the passing of his mother to breast cancer was a necessity for him to ink.

“I knew when my mom passed away that I wanted to get a tattoo to remember her for the rest of my life,” Doane said.

In the state of Illinois, it is legal to get a tattoo under the age of 18 with a parent or guardian’s permission.

“I got my tattoo three days after my sixteenth birthday, May 27, 2013,” Doane said. “I got a breast cancer ribbon with ‘Mom’ written over it and my mom’s birth and death date on it. “I also got my mom’s signature in her handwriting on my wrist just to always be able to see it and remember her.”

The permanent ink on Doane’s skin serves as a motivator in his life.

“My tattoo means everything to me,” Doane said. “My mom is my inspiration, so these tattoos constantly remind me why I’m doing what I’m doing. I’m just trying to make her proud.”