LIFESTYLE

Books That Heal :: Spreading Hope One Book at a Time

I was approached by Books That Heal, to help bring awareness to their organization that helps pediatric patients battling chronic illnesses write and illustrate their very own children’s books to become published authors and illustrators (how amazing is that?! ) and couldn’t pass up the opportunity to help spread their message. Books That Heal is building a community of support for the children battling these illnesses, one book at a time.

*This post was sponsored by Books That Heal but all opinions are my own, this is a cause I strongly support. Thank you for reading.

My biggest fear in life is that my children fall ill with some sort of chronic illness. I have nightmares about it. Unfortunately, this is a reality for way too many families throughout the world. No one deserves their child to fall ill, children are so innocent and so amazing. It’s not fair and it happens and way too often.

According to Focus for Health, “Approximately 27% of U.S. children live with chronic health conditions that can affect their daily lives and normal activities.”

There is no discrimination when it comes to who gets sick and when. It could happen to anyone, no matter what color your skin is, what country you live in, or how much money you have in the bank, and it is terrifying. I know I’m not speaking very eloquently but really; what child deserves such an awful sentence? ABSOLUTELY NONE.

Books That Heal does an amazing job helping families tell their stories. Not only are they bringing awareness to the lives these amazing warriors are living or have lived, but they are also helping make dreams come true and letting other children in similar circumstances know they are not alone.

Books That Heal

You can find all of the current books written and illustrated by the children and families who have battled chronic illness and are still fighting, lost their battle, or are in remission, at Books That Heal and on Amazon. I encourage you to check them out and spread the word to help make a difference in the lives of the families affected by chronic illness.

Each child’s story is a story of triumph and although heart-wrenching, so inspirational. I have to warn you I read every one of these stories and each one brought tears to my eyes and made me hug my children a little tighter.

Here are a few children’s stories Books That Heal have helped bring to life:

Gabriella’s Smile is a story of a brave little girl who fought Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, or DIPG, an inoperable brain tumor. Proceeds from Gabriella’s Smile will go to Gabriella’s Smile Foundation. Their mission is to provide direct financial assistance to families of children diagnosed with DIPG, create awareness, and fund research through the foundation.

HurriKanen Fights Back Kanen is spreading his message to “stay positive, and always look for your treasure, even in the worst of storms.” He is continuing to fight with strength and determination. 50% of proceeds raised from his book will go to the Kanen “HurriKanen” Keating-Wear Pediatric Cancer Foundation.

Becoming Maddie Panda written by Corrie Shumaker and Illustrated by Madelyn Shumaker, mother and daughter. Becoming Maddie Panda is a sweet story of how Maddie became known as Maddie Panda after falling in love with a panda at the zoo. Maddie lost her fight to DIPG in 2015 but her family is dedicating their time to charitable work in her memory. 50% of proceeds from Becoming Maddie Panda go to the Madelyn Shumaker Memorial Charitable Fund.

Emma the Brave is about Emma, a “Warrior Princess” when it came to her treatment regimen. Emma wrote and illustrated her book Emma the Brave to tell her story and be an inspiration to children who are facing similar situations.

Nathan Strong was written and illustrated by 9-year-old, Nathan Grogan, a strong young man who fought kidney cancer and is now in remission. Nathan is telling his story of courage and strength.

Just For You is a personalized story written by Laurie Vineberg Buch for her daughter Charlie to help explain her questions regarding her life with epilepsy, the reason for her medication and doctor’s appointment and to remind her she is a healthy and brave girl.

50% of every book purchased goes directly to the family or foundation set up on behalf of the child. If there is a referrer, 25% of royalties go to the referring hospital. The remaining 25-50% of royalties go towards Books That Heal to pay for the expenses related to creating the books.

I pray the doctors and scientists can find a cure for every type of cancer. I am not a doctor, but I can help by spreading the messages these children are putting out into the world. I plan to do just that for kids like Gabriella and Maddie that didn’t win their fight. For kids like Emma that are still fighting their battle and for every child that has to go through something as terrible and challenging as cancer.