Seventy contributors share their voices and choices to help ease the path every cancer patient walks. This compilation of information includes articles by cancer survivors, family doctors, oncologists, social workers, health care providers, cancer organization leaders, and financial advisers. Survivors’ stories are deeply personal and often support a medical perspective. Throughout the book, images of Marion Behr’s sculptures reflect the moods and emotions that many on the cancer journey feel.
The book has been reviewed by Library Journal, Huffington Post and Cure Magazine. It was awarded the IPPY Gold Award in the Health Category and received the President’s Medal for Health & Fitness from FAPA. It was granted the Medal for Best Specialty Book by New Apple and selected by Publishers Weekly as the best independently-published Health Book.
Marion says …
Our book was inspired by the audience’s reaction to a panel presentation given at The Center for Contemporary Art during my one-person show entitled “Image Early” which consisted of sculptures created from cancer cradles used to hold individuals in place during radiation treatments.
Several persons in the audience talked about how terrified they had become shortly after being told “You have Cancer.” As soon as they were able, they searched for and found far too much information on their computers, leaving each one of them frightened by what lay ahead.
That same evening, I decided to create a book that would provide accurate information presented by a “cancer team” of professionals and survivors. Five years later, Surviving Cancer: Our Voices & Choices rolled off the press.
Editorial Reviews
Marion Behr has assembled a wonderful collection of pieces that represent a true collaboration among many voices, all of whom have a stake in the treatment of breast cancer. The juxtaposition of these voices is unique to this book, and gives it an alluring rhythm, wherein patient experiences, written from many points of view, stand in counterpoint to reasoned and authoritative medical commentary from health care professionals whose viewpoints are no less varied. As a result, there is something for everyone here, patient, spouse, sibling, child, doctor, nurse, any interested party will find something of interest, and will find it thoughtfully and well-written, regardless of style. The personal pieces are heartfelt, and more importantly, the thoughts submitted by health professionals are superbly crafted, accurate, and at times deeply personal. The book stands as a reflection and a reminder of the tremendous privilege we have as health care professionals in our daily work.
Kevin R. Fox, M.D.
Medical Director, Rena Rowan Breast Center
University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine
This book is a great resource. It includes many voices which will help to alleviate the fear factor that paralyzes the African American community.
Sharyce N. Toppin
Sisters Network of Central New Jersey
This moving collection of essays, reflections and artwork is a magnificent testament to the strength of the human spirit and the courage, resilience and resourcefulness of those facing cancer. Marion Behr has provided us with a useful companion for anyone needing to navigate the turbulent waters of serious illness for themselves or a loved one. Her book provides examples of courage, humor and strategy. Readers are encouraged to transcend the challenges of living, and to make their lives into their own personal works of art.
Kenneth Gold, M.D.
Chief of Hematology/Oncology at Good Samaritan Hospital
You have a mass. Intellectually, we all know what these words mean, but what happens next? Where do I go? What do I focus on? What about my family, my job, my finances? My future? What treatments do I want? What will I experience? What next?!? Marion Behr has crafted a wonderful collection of knowledge and support to guide anyone through a cancer diagnosis. Under one cover, doctors and nurses provide guidance and answers about cancer diagnoses, treatment and recovery, interspersed with stories and support from those that have been there and gone through it. Surviving Cancer: Our Voices & Choices wonderfully guides us through both the intellectual and emotional challenges of a cancer diagnosis. Bravo to Marion for bringing these voices together in one location.
Matthew Pickus
Founder, President (and Mr. January 2008) of 60-Mile Men, Inc
One of the purest examples of humanity is, when faced with catastrophic challenge, we aspire to get busy living with, through and, hopefully, beyond our disease. It is this essential quality, that of self-empowerment and creative spirit, which drives hope and builds community. Marion’s book is a clear example of how cancer survivorship is an art and we all have to make choices to live our best life every step of the way.
Matthew Zachary
Founder & CEO, Stupid Cancer.org
I am no stranger to cancer, though I have never been a patient. I have spent twenty-two years serving cancer patients in one of the finest large medical oncology/radiation oncology clinics. Over the years I have witnessed the struggles, fears and then bravery that are born out of this disease. These illustrations and testimonies lovingly bring the reader to the other side of the chair, beam, or scalpel, and give a glimpse of that light at the end of the tunnel.
Susan J. Forsi
Specialist for Lab Compliance and Systems, East Bay Partners in Cancer Care, CA
Creating has been a major driving force in my life. It took time to believe in myself … but that is certainly part of the ‘growing up’ process.
I created the first national survey of women working from home in 1970’s. After receiving thousands of responses from women, I originated the concept of “Home-based Business” as opposed to “cottage industry” and formed Women Working Home Inc. with Wendy Lazar, a co-graduate from Syracuse. We co-authored two editions of Women Working Home: The Home-based Business Guide and Directory and sold fifty thousand copies.
I received a Presidential Appointment to The White House Conference on Small Business. My presentations to the US Labor Department and Senate helped to change laws on home-based businesses. This effort was publicized via interviews in major magazines, TV shows including Donahue, AM Americas, Good Morning America etc. and lectures at many universities.
After eight years, I returned to my studio, and enjoyed etching but I became ill from over-exposure to acid fumes. So my husband and I co-invented a non-toxic etching process, which replaces acid but incorporates all the traditional etching methods. This process was awarded the Charles A. and Anne Morrow Lindbergh Foundation Grant for Humanities. Our invention is patented as ElectroEtch (Electroetch.org) and is now in many universities including Stanford, Juneau, Fairbanks and Syracuse and in studios internationally. We have taught this method in Canada, Alaska, Germany, Morocco, New Zealand, etc.
So many remarkable individuals influenced my life along the way. I am extremely grateful to and for all.
wwhpress.com (Company Website)
mysynes.typepad.com (Blog)
wwhpress.com/reviews.html (Reviews of Marion’s body of work)
[email protected]
New Jersey
Marion Ray Behr says
Nancy,
Thank you for this very special opportunity!
You are helping us help others, and it’s only by working together that we can move our complicated world forward during these challenging times!
Countless thanks also go to all who have contributed to Surviving Cancer: Our Voices & Choices and to each individual who is helping us to pass our information on to new cancer patients and their families.