We are helping mamas talk to
their kiddos about breast cancer.
Chelsea Harper
At the age of 35, I was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer a month before my daughter's 3rd birthday. I had worked as a counselor with families, making stories for little kids to help explain new information to them, and I knew right away that I would need to make a book to help me explain this news to my daughter. My favorite part of our book was naming it "Go Away Lump!" since it was one of the first ways I began to take action and started to feel more empowered to deal with cancer. I hope other families will be able to use the storybook to keep their little ones connected and feeling loved.
Brook Irwin
I was diagnosed with Stage II Breast Cancer at the age of 35. At the time, I was married with a very inquisitive 18 month old son and working as a full time teacher. When I heard those words "you have cancer", I immediately had to come up with a plan and that plan included helping my young son through my treatment as best as possible. I used my training as an educator and curriculum developer along with information from my cancer counseling center to create a book for my son. It was a healing activity and really helped my son manage the craziness breast cancer brought to our family. A year after my initial diagnosis, I found out the cancer had spread to my liver changing my initial diagnosis of stage II to stage IV. I have appreciated that initial book and I find that we still continue to look at "our book" and cherish it. I hope this is what families will feel when they create their storybook.