SYDNEY, N.S. — Erin Richard isn't sure she would have written a book if she hadn't been diagnosed with a rare form of breast cancer.
The stage three cancer diagnosis took Richard through more than the struggles of chemotherapy and radiation treatments. For the married mother of one, it also led to her fighting for changes to Canada's unemployment insurance system (to better help people going through cancer treatments) and to explore painting through art therapy.
Now ready to launch her first novel, an autobiography about her journey through cancer treatments, Richard said she hopes her book will help people realize truths about cancer she didn't know before she was diagnosed in August 2016.
"I want to dispell some of the myths people have about cancer, while telling my story," she said, sitting inside the Prince Street A & W restaurant where many staff know her by name.
"When I was first diagnosed, I'd see people out and they'd ask, 'Why are you out here? I thought you had cancer.' Just because you have cancer, doesn't mean you have to stay at home. You can still do things."
Another myth Richard wants to get rid of is that a cancer diagnosis is the same as a death sentence.
"My understanding of cancer before I had it was cancer is bad. You're going to die and that's it," she said. "That's a myth. My son believed that myth. I had to show him different. I had to learn ... Just because you have cancer doesn't mean you're going to die tomorrow."
The book is called "Turning a Big Negative into a Bigger Positive" and is released by Harp Publishing. Featuring artwork Richard completed during her cancer treatments, while a part of the Art of Living program offered at the Cape Breton Cancer Centre, the book also draws on Richard's journal entries and vlog posts during that time to write her story.
"I wrote this book for everybody, really," she said. "Part of it will help people who have cancer, who feel alone. When I first started my treatments, I felt alone. When I went for treatments (at the Cape Breton Cancer Centre) I was usually the youngest one there."
"It's also for families of people with cancer, so they can learn ... Every cancer is different and every treatment is different."
The book launch is taking place on Dec. 12 in the cafeteria of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. There will be 100 books available for sale ($15 each) and all proceeds from sales there are being donated to the Cancer Patient Care Fund at the cancer centre, a fund that helped Richard get through some financially stressful times during her cancer battle.
After the launch, Richard's book will be available online at Amazon.ca and Harp Publishing and she hopes some retailers will also pick it up for sale. A portion of proceeds from each sale after the launch will also be donated to the fund.
"We're so impressed with Erin," said Mark Inglish, spokesperson for the Cape Breton Hospital Foundation which oversees fundraising for the hospital and cancer centre. "From battling triple negative breast cancer ... to fighting for the rights of cancer patients and now helping raise money for the same fund she used when she was in need."
Inglis said the Cancer Patient Fund helps between 45-60 cancer patients each month with expenses like money for travel to out-of-city hospitals, utilities and food. Last year the fund disbursed more than $363,000 and Inglis said it's on track to give out about $500,000 in 2019.
Turning a Big Negative into a Bigger Positive: Erin Richard’s Story
- What: An autobiography of one woman’s cancer journey
- Book launch: Dec. 12
- Time: 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- Where: Cape Breton Regional Hospital cafeteria
- Cost: Free to attend
- Sales at launch: Donated to Cancer Patient Care Fund
- To buy after launch: Amazon, Harp Publishing
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