This book is a project that we are involved in to help raise funds for the fight against cancer.
"Because I Am a Fighter", a book about a child coping with leukemia and the subsequent journey, was written by Jodi Callan and illustrated by her friend Brett Heselwood. The organization of this project to help raise funds for the fight against cancer, was made possible by the generous support of Dryden GM, Weyerhaeuser and the publisher Alex Wilson Coldstream Ltd.
A Millennium project begun by Bernice Weldon and Carolyn Callan, "Because I Am A Fighter" fills a void in appropriate children's reading material, in understanding cancer and the repercussions of the disease on, not only the person who is diagnosed with it, but also on the people around that person, be it a child or an adult. Sadly Bernice did not win her fight. She left however, her legacy of this book and her desire to give children the gift of knowledge and understanding of her fight.
Bernice and Carolyn addressed the project in the following way: "We realized that there was limited printed material available to children with cancer and we felt there is a critical need for educational resources for families to better cope with the disease. The book helps others deal with their own feelings of loss and gives them a sense of community in coping. It is a lesson in self-assessment. One of the greatest gifts we can give children is the gift of self-assessment. "Because I Am A Fighter" recognizes that suffering is an inevitable part of life. We can't eliminate it, however, we can eliminate the things we do to unnecessarily compound our own suffering. The book defines optimism by accepting realities no matter how difficult or tragic and shows others how to approach set backs in their own lives. The book is designed to be read by an adult to a child or it can also be a child's book, read by the child independently. It is intended to be a vehicle to give the younger reader insight at their level."
Bernice found this book invaluable when she began losing her hair after chemo. Reading it to her grandchildren, gave them a sense of ease in dealing with the disease and the changes they were seeing in their grand-mother.
"The information helps them in the understanding of the diagnosis and the implications of treatment, helps give perspective to their feelings of uncertainty and fear, and returns some feeling of control of emotions through accuracy of information and comprehension. It helps families negotiate the minefield of life's sorrows and discuss empowerment, dignity and self discipline. Should a school setting have a child diagnosed or recovering from cancer, this book is a valuable educational tool. It can prepare school staff and classmates with knowledge. There is a need for public education about the unique impact of childhood cancer on all family members and their communities."
Two thousand copies of the book have been published and ALL PROCEEDS will be directed to the ongoing fight against cancer.
The book sells for $ 10.00 a copy.
We are sincerely hoping that you can be of assistance in purchasing the book. The picture of what happens when people come together to do something they care about - the fight against cancer - is a special gift. Some people might like to donate their copy to one of the hospitals across Canada and if this is the case, we would like to write your name and address in the front of the book and we will look after mailing it for you. We thank you in advance for helping make this project a success.
Sincerely,
Carolyn Callan
To order a copy of the book:
- By Phone: 1 (807) 223-5777