All of our cancer stories are unique and we know the transformative power in sharing those stories with our family, friends, and community. 

Writing your own story can be therapeutic and healing--whether you are writing in a journal and it is never shared, you write in community with other cancer patients and survivors (check out two of our favorite partners to learn more about that: Elephants and Tea and Wildfire Magazine) or perhaps you pursue publishing for the world to see. 

It is bittersweet to have the opportunity to share just one of those stories with the Bright Spot community.  Bright Spot parent, Shayna Vincent, co-wrote Mama’s Year with Cancer with award winning children’s book author Nancy Churin. The book channels Shayna’s own story of diagnosis and treatment, all while being a mom to her two little ones. Sadly, Mama’s Year with Cancer was published just months after Shayna died from breast cancer. 

Shayna was such a bright spot in our community. We are so glad to be able to celebrate this beautiful book while we simultaneously hold Shayna, her sweet kids, family and community tight in our hearts. 

You can watch co-author Nancy Churin’s reading of Mama’s Year with Cancer:

If you are a teacher, looking to read the book in your class, you can find a teacher’s guide here. 
If you are interested in purchasing your own copy of the book, you can do so here.