Talking to Kids about Cancer

Why we do what we do...  our hearts are filled with gratitude that we could help someone, as so many of you have helped me.

I received this email from Ashlie Krejci, a friend of a friend, a "sister" who I have yet to meet. I had heard that Ashlie needed our book, surgery was imminent and she didn't know how to tell her two young sons about her breast cancer. (sound familiar?- all too- for me!) Ashlie is now home recovering and took the time to send me this email today.  

Nate's drawing from
Butterfly Kisses and Wishes on Wings: When someone you love has cancer... a hopeful, helpful book for kids
©2012McVicker&Hersh, LLC

Thank you so very much for this beautiful gift.  I was overwhelmed with gratitude and tears that a stranger would go to such length to get this book for us.

My son has asked us to read it to him every night.  It has helped us explain what we thought would be so impossible to a 4 year old.  Now he talks about "cells" all day long.  He says someday my cells will be good again and it makes me so happy that he understands!  He demonstrates his understanding by saying that his cells are pink and healthy like Daddy and Chase's and that mine are black and sick.  He then goes on to say that he is sad mine are so sick but that someday my cells will be pink and good again too.  I feel like crying every time he says this but instead I smile because I realize that because he understands what's going on he is able to verbalize his feelings and not be afraid.  He has also started drawing a lot of his emotions after seeing your pictures.  He draws me with no hair and then draws an assortment of hats that he says we can cut out and tape to my bald head when the medicine starts to make my hair fall out. 

I never could have imagined a four year old boy being able to grasp these concepts with such maturity-but YOU helped him with that!

I will be forever grateful to you and this book!

                                                                                  Ashlie Krejci

My heart sings.

Survivorship: Owning Up

This past weekend was the AMC Relay for Life at Unionville High School, PA- (The local paper in this article cited Nanci as the author, not illustrator, and spells Hersh wrong, but- hey they mentioned our book Butterfly Kisses and Wishes on Wings!)

The water and also bead station, where you took a bead
and put it on a string for every lap you took

Survivor

nouna person who survives, esp. a person remaining alive after an event in which others have died : the sole survivor of the massacre.• a person who copes well with difficulties in their life: : she is a born survivor.

It was a first for me. I had been a part of cancer awareness events- either speaking about our book, or on the sidelines- signing and selling copies. But had yet to walk the walk, i.e. take a Survivor's Lap.

Maybe it is the word survivor.  We all face challenges and I didn't think I was really any different. But it has been a heck of a year and I was there because my sons, Griffin and Nate wanted to be there- supporting others- and me.  They were there with their own teams, raising money, and walking and walking- for me. I was proud, honored, and touched, and so I was there, too, owning up.  

The Longwood Rotary did a great job organizing the event; fun activities round the clock and perfect weather to boot!

Had a great time on Friday night meeting some amazing people, talking story as they say in Hawaii, and yes selling books with a portion going back to Relay for Life.  I went home around 10 pm but Griffin, Nate and friends spent the night.  I found a couple of very tired boys in the morning...

Nate's tiny head hidden in plaid

Griffin opted to sleep in the middle of the track field-
with two of his teammates

My buddy Kathy Hrenko, Executive Director of  Kennett After School Association After-the-Bell
and Longwood Rotary member in charge of Survivorship
taking some peaceful morning laps

Shane and Nate at the Community Breakfast
which concluded the Relay for Life

 Pancakes at the end of a long night seem to be the perfect icing on the cake!

Thanks for Longwood Rotary and the American Cancer Society for your efforts in bringing the community together to raise money, awareness and offer support to all of us.

Love Letter

Yes... we LOVE getting these letters...

Backpack
Butterfly Kisses and Wishes on Wings: When someone you love has cancer... a hopeful, helpful book for kids
©2012McVicker&Hersh,LLC

 

"Your book has made a difference for the children of the patients.  We give them out so that they can read the story and relate to it.  We are getting more and more children and grandchildren here to visit or stay with their loved one.  We have a special program that is dedicated to the children and give each child their own backpack with age specific activities and books in each one.  We know that each day can seem like a week when you are waiting around for all the doctor’s appointments."

Kind regards,
John

 

John WilsonMaterials Management/Purchasing Agent

Cancer Treatment Centers of America®