Celebrating Life: African American Women Speak Out about Breast Cancer

I am slightly biased in my review of Celebrating Life, as I am one of the survivors whose story is told in this book. Sylvia Dunnavant poignantly related each story mostly in the survivors' own words, allowing the reader to feel the pains, the fears, and the joys expressed. I've had the honor of meeting most of the subjects in the books, but I literally "know" them from their stories...I FELT what their words expressed. Even now, I continue to go back and read about many of the experiences in this book. As I look back on my own bouts with breast cancer, mine seem rather minor compared to some of the women's stories. (And there is one MAN's story as well)!Sylvia did a beautiful job of photography. All the photos were taken by Ms. Dunnavant. The book is, of course, about SURVIVORS "celebrating life", and that celetration of life is reflected in all of the photographs. At the time my picture was taken, I was bald, but the eyes, the smile, and the expression Ms. Dunnavant captured express HOPE and JOY, and an appreciation for life! This is seen throughout the book in great color photos of each survivor. One other point: the age range of the survivors is from mid-twenties to late eighties, which should interest all age groups.It's a book in which the reader has the freedom to skip around without missing anything. Start at the back, or in the middle and read the stories in whatever order you like! Each one is it's own personal saga, and each photo is there to put a FACE on the story.Someone you know is bound to benefit from these encouraging readings. It's a wonderful gift for women who have been diagnosed, who are going through treatment, (AND for their relatives), or for those who are now looking forward to the years ahead as survivors. AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN NEED to read about life AFTER SURVIVING breast cancer - a life of fullness and hope - and focused on truly CELEBRATING LIFE! During this month of October (Breast Cancer Awareness Month), I urge you to give this book to someone you care about - I promise you, they'll be pleased to receive it.

I read this book when it first came out. It was given to me by a very dear friend who later died himself with cancer. Now I have 2 friends who have been diagnosied with cancer and knew that I had a copy of this book in the boxes somewhere, and wanted somehow to share it with them. Not sure how it will be received by one, but will make the gesture to send it anyway.I have been very blessed to have read and remembered how the people noted in the book expressed hope and were able to convey how they felt, the anger, the saddeness, the hope, the pain and through it all came out willing to share with others. That is a true blessing. I now think that somehow I might be able to help in some small way to look for ways that I might be a light for those while I am able. Not that right now I have the problem but sense there is a need to share.