Sherry Kohlenberg wrote this book after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She could not find another book that made the family part of the treatment process, and she wanted her 18-month-old son to understand what was happening to his mother. The emotional charge of this situation is potentially overwhelming, so Sammy's story is told simply.
Sammy's Mommy Has Cancer is a warm, sensitive, straightforward story that will help young children understand and accept the changes in their lives when a parent is diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. Parents will welcome this valuable aid in explaining the illness to their children. Both the story and the introduction offer useful suggestions for involving children in the joys and sorrows of good and bad days. Sharing the book together, the family will experience a sense of safety and encouragement even at this frightening time.
Sherry Kohlenberg, M.H.A., was Director of Risk Management at the Medical College of Virginia Hospital, Richmond, Va. She was originally diagnosed with breast cancer when her son was 18 months old. Soon after, she helped found the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation. She attended President Clinton's inauguration as one of this country's 50 "Faces of Hope."
Lauri Crow is an artist who lives in Richmond, Virginia, with her husband and dogs.
"Explaining a loved one's illness to a child can be a daunting task for even the wisest parent. With its sensitivity, honesty, and hopefulness. Sherry Kohlenberg's book will be most useful in helping a young child understand and cope with a parent's diagnosis of cancer. I recommend this book to any family facing this unique and difficult challenge."
—Ken Faulkner, M.Div.
Cancer Rehabilitation& Continuing Care, Medical College of Virginia
"Sherry Kohlenberg captures the essence of describing cancer at a level that children of all ages will understand. This book is unique in that it will help families affected by this disease describe the various aspects of cancer treatment in such a way that will ease children's fears about cancer. As the incidence of cancer increases and younger people with small children are affected, this book will be instrumental in helping them cope with this difficult disease."
—Kathy A. Radie-Deane, MD.
Assistant Professor, Medical College of Virginia, Department of Radiation Oncology
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