Eight Arizona authors, five of them Latter-day Saints, turned their own hopes and dreams into a way to benefit others through an organization they founded called Writers Unite to Fight Cancer.
As the authors, all students of Pamela Goodfellow, owner of Goodfellow Publishing, worked toward publishing their first books, they learned that they shared some real-life stories in common as well. Each of their lives had been touched by cancer in one way or another.
"Our common goal has become to not only write wonderful books but to aid in the fight to cure cancer, all in the spirit of friendship and service," says participating author Margaret Turley, a member of the Beverly Ward, Mesa Arizona Maricopa Stake.
The authors formed the Writers Unite to Fight Cancer campaign to raise funds for the American Association for Cancer Research. They then hosted a gala launch and celebration of their books on Nov. 4, which they also used as a time to give back and to benefit AACR. Approximately 500 people attended the event, where 250 donated items and services were auctioned and a portion of the authors' book sales were also donated to AACR.
"There were people there from out of state to support friends and family. We even had some supporters from out of the country donate online and an artist in Italy donated and sent his watercolor from Tuscany," Turley said.
She said while the final numbers haven't been determined, "we are very happy?with the response and the results."
Turley explained her own commitment to the cause saying, "My cousin has ovarian cancer and is on her third round of chemo. My uncle died of cancer. I have an aunt and uncle who are survivors. And, I was a nurse for 34 years. For me, it's a very personal thing to have writers unite in this cause to raise money for cancer research."
Not only that, but Turley's novel, "Save the Child," which was launched at the event, is based on a true story of one family's struggle to win the battle against cancer and save their daughter.
Other participating authors included Louise Laughlin, whose memoir "I Must Be Dreaming" relates her husband Larry's triumphant battle with esophageal cancer and his subsequent healing. Louise lost her sister to colon cancer and has two sisters-in-law who are survivors of breast cancer.
Author Cindy R. Williams, whose brother is a survivor of testicular cancer, is a professional harpist, a mother of five and the Primary president in her ward. Williams' book, "Chase McKay Didn't Get Up Today," was honored as a finalist for the Arizona 2009 Glyph Award and the 2010 Southwest Book Award.
Also released at the event was "Black Sand," which is an island fantasy about Icess who must choose between the two men she loves. The author, Lisa Finder, is a business owner, Primary teacher in her ward and mother of four. Lisa is the founder of the White Lions Foundation, a non-profit, tax-exempt organization that is one of only a few organizations in the country that helps cancer patients and their families with nutritional?supplement assistance.
Eighty-seven-year-old, Anna Lilinquest "Lolly" Arnett was also among the authors to release their book at the event. A mother of seven, grandmother of 28 and great-grandmother of 40, Arnett has written "Lolly's Yarn," a memoir of her life with her sweetheart, Charles, documenting their world travels, trials, joys and their life of service.
Other featured authors were Carrie E. Goodfellow, author of "What to do When it's a Hundred and Two," a children's picture book starring javelinas who live in Arizona's high desert; and Barbara Lofgreen, author of the coming-of-age story, "Generations." Lofgreen, who turned 70 on Oct. 19, was diagnosed with Adenocarcinoma: Stage IV non-small cell lung cancer in November 2009, and she is one of the inspirations for Writers Unite to Fight Cancer.
For updates about Writers Unite to Fight Cancer, visit the group's Facebook page. Also, they will continue to accept donations. To donate online, go to www.goodfellowpublishing.com. Or, checks may be made to the American Association for Cancer Research and mailed to White Lions Foundation, 835 W Warner Rd, 101-439, Gilbert, AZ, 85233.