Happy Quail
Melinda wishes to express her sincere
thanks to those who shared their care by contributing an endorsement for
Grace: A Child's Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery
Click here to read: Oncolink Review: 3 out of 3 stars
by Alysa Cummings
Through Cancer and Recovery
Endorsements:
In her book, Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery, Melinda Marchiano offers an honest and inspiring portrayal of her cancer experience through the eyes of a teenager and proves there is medicinal value in love and laughter. Melinda and I share a common bond. We are survivors. And we believe in the importance of empowering fellow survivors to live life on their own terms. By sharing her story, Melinda is giving a voice to this global epidemic that needs immediate attention. I am grateful to Melinda for having the courage to speak up and for her generosity in helping others fighting cancer. -Lance Armstrong “I have often said God gives children with cancer something extra. They are remarkable and inspiring people to be around. Melinda tells her story with such honesty and openness that you can’t help but be touched and encouraged. This is sure to be a blessing to all that read it!” “What an extraordinary young girl Melinda is! Her story, though heartbreaking, pulsates with joy and faith and hope. God bless her!” -Kathie Lee Gifford “Grace is more than a book. It is a rare gem. With breathtaking insights and exquisite writing, as I read Grace, I kept wondering if Melinda was actually an award winning author with multiple novels to her credit. No, in fact she is a 15-year-old cancer patient telling it like it is and she's utterly compelling.” “Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery is a vivid and engaging description of a brave and articulate youth’s encounter with cancer.” -Dr. Lee Hartwell 2001 Nobel Laureate President & Director Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center “Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey through Cancer and Recovery is required reading for anyone touched by cancer- parents, children, friends and caregivers. It tells the story of a courageous girl through the perspective that is rarely heard—hers!” -Dr. Thomas J. Lynch Director, Yale Cancer Center Physician-in-Chief, Smilow Cancer Hospital “Many people have written about their individual battles with cancer, some very beautifully. Melinda Marchiano tells the story of her cancer in a particularly engaging manner. Her message—that you are not alone and that you can prevail—will lift the spirits of many, particularly younger patients like her.” -Dr. Edward J. Benz President, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Richard and Susan Smith Professor of Medicine Professor of Pediatrics, Professor of Pathology Harvard Medical School “Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey through Cancer and Recovery is a rare book- brave, inspiring, and empowering. Buy this book for a person with cancer, but read it first yourself. This uplifting story from 15 year-old Melinda will make your heart soar.” -Regina Ellis Grace is a remarkable book. Melinda tells every detail of her walk with cancer. Reading her words opened my eyes to the feelings that my 23-month-old daughter must have had but could not express: Alexa lost her battle to Neuroblastoma in 2004. We realized that Alexa’s trials were to give rise to a greater purpose, and now her light shines through our Foundation, just as Melinda’s shines through her written word. -Joann M. Nawrocki Alexa Nawrocki Pediatric Cancer Foundation, Inc. “Clearly Melinda is articulate, open and courageous beyond her years. As a teenager, and even as an adult I can easily fall into 'why me, it's not fair' mentality over the most trivial thing. It's easy to overlook so much on a daily basis, and Melinda's book is a reminder to be grateful no matter what our situation is. She is truly inspiring. I believe that her book will be a gift to many people, young and old… the survivors and the families.” -Yvonne Jung “Criminal Minds” “Third Watch” “The Sopranos” “There is great comfort in knowing that another young person has faced cancer and has overcome its many challenges. Melinda’s personal story lights that difficult path and offers encouragement and hope to the patient, siblings, and parents.” -Moody D. Wharam, Jr., MD, FACR, FASTRO Professor of Radiation Oncology Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at John Hopkins “Upon seeing Melinda at first, her eyes told that she was an old soul. When listening, her lips spoke with much wisdom, and now when reading her book this same passion for life is shared in her words as she experiences weakness and triumph in life. Melinda is of great influence and Grace lifts up the reader to show anyone can conquer with will power and… well… Grace.” -Matt Hackney Chief Executive Officer TheSBON, HardMagic, MOVFitness Author of The Summit of Success, The Fire Within, and Published! “Thank you so much for bringing this to my attention. Good for you, your strength will be a light house for others. I'd love to endorse your book. Having lost family members to cancer, I think your book will be an inspiration for others in time of great need. You have an undeniable open channel of talent and a voice that needs to be heard! Much love and success.” -Anthony Ruivivar “Third Watch” “Tropic Thunder” “CSI” “Melinda’s sharing of her courageous battle with pediatric cancer is truly inspiring. Hopefully other young adults who are dealing with this disease will read her story and find companionship and strength in their journeys as well. Melinda exemplifies Grace to the fullest degree.” -Kathleen A. Casey Founder and President, Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation “Melinda tells her story of personal challenge and growth with openness and style. Her inspiring message of perseverance, healing, and God’s grace will inspire all who read this beautiful book.” Adult, Adolescent, and Child Psychiatry -Barton J. Blinder, M.D.- Faculty: Clinical Professor, Dept. Psychiatry and Human Behavior, School of Medicine University of California, Irvine
Kairol Rosenthall
Author of Everything Changes: The Insider's Guide to Cancer in Your 20s and 30s
Chief Executive Officer, Founder the Children’s Cancer Association, www.JoyRx.org
Reader Responses to Grace:
"Anyone faced with severe illness should be buoyed by her attitude. Her 'Grace' under pressure is so uplifting." "Such an amazing testimony!" "Melinda's story is an inspiration for millions. She made me laugh and cry throughout the entire book." "I am totally amazed, bordering in shock. Unbelievable! I have to know her secrets. It is hard to believe that a 14 year-old girl can articulate the way she can. And couple that with her sense of humor. Wow! I am in total awe!" Yes, cancer is a roller coaster, and it seems that when you’re not at the highest or the lowest point, you’re in rapid transit either up or down.
"I can tell you first hand as an educator that Melinda's writing is marvelous and the story she tells will remind you of how trivial our day to day concerns truly are."
"I am amazed by this teenager."
"Melinda writes with a maturity hard to believe."
"Melinda tells the story of her experience from a first person perspective in a heart warming and often humorous way."
"What an eloquent tale of struggle, salvation, and LOVE."
"Melinda's message about depression is most important! We hear of the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder that our service personel suffer, but seldom about the same trauma affecting the survivors of major accidents, surgery, or childbirth. If Melinda's message to the Teddy Bears and other support groups, hospitals and medical staffs, the families and friends of survivors, lead to the . awareness of the danger and procedures to alleviate this horrible trauma, she will have done a wonderful thing. We must add ways to allow treatment for patient's mental health, and improve the information available about side effects of medication. Melinda has rendered a noble service."
"Melinda is an amazing writer, a great storyteller, wise well beyond her years, and her book is sure to help many people."
"Under her life-threatening ordeal, Melinda writes with such honesty, and a flair for humor, and has a real talent for putting pen to paper. She is just a remarkable young woman."
"LOVE IT! Oh my! It will be on the New York Times Bestseller List in no time! I am not kidding."
Melinda's writing is superb, and the content is engaging and inspirational."
"Melinda is one amazing young lady! To suffer through cancer like she did, and then write such an articulate, moving, beautiful book about it at such a young age! Wow! Melinda is wiser than most adults I know."
"Melinda stirs in me so many emotions and touches my very soul. I'm struggling now emotionally more so than when I had cancer. Why am I sharing such personal struggles? Melinda's book made me face them and examine why I still feel so vulnerable and afraid. Grace is already starting to make a difference, even with adults. Melinda's book pushed me to call the Cancer Center and ask for a referral for counseling. It gave me the courage and the hope to finish putting my body together, including my heart, so I can be whole again. Thank you, Melinda, from the bottom of my heart with tears of gratitude."
"Her story is one I hope everyone will read. It is written with the most adorable humor and about a child's pure faith and hope in God hearing her prayers."
"I have learned so much from her brave decision to share her innermost emotions. Melinda is a true gift to this world. She is a talented writer-her book is compelling and energizing to read. Her passion for life and finding good in others and herself is powerfully broadcast throughout the entire book."
-Melinda Marchiano
