Press Releases
ATLANTA— July 9, 2012—More than half a million children in the United States have a mother or father who has been diagnosed with cancer. A cancer diagnosis and the loss of a parent can be especially hard on children, who often experience a range of emotions such as sadness, anger, guilt, and anxiety. The American Cancer Society has published a new book that explores loss and healing from a child’s perspective.
And Still They Bloom: A Family’s Journey of Loss and Healing is a fictional story of Ben and Emily, ages seven and ten, and their emotional struggle after the loss of their mother to cancer. Author Amy Rovere relied on her personal experiences in writing the book. “The loss of my own mother to lung cancer when I was just nine years old inspired me to help children who are dealing with a similar experience,” said Rovere. “And Still They Bloom teaches families about the healing process after losing a loved one and can help adults and children find comfort, encouragement, and understanding.”
In this story, Emily and Ben deal with the death of their mother in different ways, but both have trouble understanding why cancer happens and why some people die and some don’t. The beautifully illustrated book follows the children and their father as they cope and carry on their mother’s memory through work in the family garden. Over time, the two children learn to adjust and begin to feel open to moments of joy.
“Grief can be overwhelming for any family member, and it is my hope that And Still They Bloom will help provide support in a time of need,” Rovere remarked. “Talking with children about the loss of a loved one can relieve some of the burden and help them feel less alone in their grief.”
Using nature as a backdrop for the cycles of life, this moving story emphasizes hope and healing and will connect with all readers of all ages who have lost a loved one.
And Still They Bloom: A Family’s Journey of Loss and Healing (ACS product code 975301, ISBN 978-160443-036-3, Cloth, 8 x 10, 40 pages, $14.95) is available for purchase at www.cancer.org/bookstore , by calling 1-800-227-2345, or at any online or retail bookseller.
A video podcast featuring author Amy Rovere is also available on the Society's YouTube channel: http://youtu.be/3mJAsQZBJls
About the Author
AMY ROVERE is a writer, editor, and textile artist. She serves on the editorial staff of the American Cancer Society’s Books Division, helping create books for patients and families who are coping with cancer. Amy is a member of the American Medical Writers Association and the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
About the Illustrator
JOEL SPECTOR was born in Havana, Cuba, and came to the United States at age twelve. He graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology and received a Master of Fine Arts degree from Western Connecticut State University. His work has appeared in many print publications and has been shown at the New Britain Museum of American Art, the Slater Memorial Museum, and various galleries.
About the American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end cancer for good. As a global grassroots force of three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping you stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early, helping you get well by being there for you during and after a diagnosis, by finding cures through groundbreaking discovery and fighting back through public policy. As the nation’s largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing more than $3.8 billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, an estimated 13.7 million people in America who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will be celebrating birthdays this year. To learn more about us or to get help, call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.