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    Stories Of Cancer And Hope

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    Stories Of Cancer And Hope is a collection of stories brought together by Kevin Donaghy from people affected by cancer.

    Each story is a lived experience of the impact of the disease and by sharing our stories, we hope to help people affected by cancer to feel that you are not alone.

    Hope is constant.
    "Cancer is a lonely place and finding a book like this can make you feel less alone"
    Dr Anisha,Patel
    Author of Everything You Hoped You Didn't Need to Know About Having Bowel Cancer

    "This is a brilliant book - full of hope!"
    Dr Liz O'Riordan
    Author of Under the Knife and The Complete Guide to Breast Cancer

    Buy the book

    Stories Of Cancer And Hope is available to buy in both print and digital editions.

    You can watch the announcement on Instagram.

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    When purchasing Stories of Cancer and Hope,
    profits go to Maggie’s.

    The Print Edition is available to purchase directly from us at Shandon Publishing.
    Also available from all good book shops in the UK.

    The Kindle Edition is available to purchase on Amazon.com

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    We recently presented Maggie’s Edinburgh with a cheque for £1,157.66 which are the current royalties from the sale of our book.
    We were joined by fellow story contributors, Ricky Nicol, Hugh Carter and our publisher Swan and Horn.

    “We have been delighted to have Kevin’s inspirational ‘Stories of Cancer and Hope’ in our centres and to share the book those who come to us for support. The book is brilliantly honest, uplifting and very much in line with the support we offer at our twenty-four centres across the UK. … I hope the new e-book can continue to inspire and comfort people living with cancer by reading the stories of others with similar experiences. And by buying an e-copy, they are helping us support people at possibly the hardest time of their lives for which we are very grateful.”
    Dame Laura Lee (Maggie’s Chief Executive
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      “
      This collection of stories, in each person's own voice, is a solid companion on the rocky road from cancer diagnosis. Very helpful in the hours of darkness, to help us sustain it and eventually see a glimmer of hope, no matter what the actual destination. We don't know and in a world where knowing or pretending to is a tyrannical trend, realising that we don't know is a first step towards understanding ALL the possibilities, including those we cannot imagine.
      – CLG
      ”
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      “
      Thought provoking at the start of a, as yet, unnavigated journey. These widely varying accounts of hope in such difficult circumstances prove one thing for sure, that everyone’s cancer is different but there is hope everywhere. Gave me insight into a world I didn’t think I would see but I’m staring into it, it is, slightly, less frightening.
      – LM Reynolds
      ”
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      “
      Enlightening. Full of true-life stories from a real cancer patient. Don't read it all at once though, it will cost you more in tissues. Honoured to say I have met the compiler & what an extraordinary man! Profits go to Maggie's Charity.
      – Jeannie B
      ”
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      “
      Engaging, inspiring and helpful. This is a great read, with so many varied stories from amazing people. It makes you think, be grateful, want to help people keep fighting for better outcomes and to keep hoping. 👍😀
      – Euan C
      ”
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      “
      Thank you so much for the books. They are lovely to have in the ward. We have been giving them to some patients but also we have been giving them to our newer nurses. These books are great at focusing on the patient behind the disease process, they are deeply personal and they are something I would want all my nurses to read. For me personally the book helped me focus on why I do what I do, who I do it for and the stories behind the treatments. I will encourage all my staff to read it regularly.
      – Senior Charge Nurse, Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy Day Unit
      ”

    Stories Of Cancer And Hope in the news

    Kay Burley interview on Sky News

    16 July 2024

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    Listen again to the Friday 4 April show direct from Marlow FM here

    Guest on Sheila Docker's 'Inspired Lives' show

    4 April 2025

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    Call with Stephen Jardine on BBC Radio Scotland

    27 August 2024

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    Anna Foster interview on BBC Radio Newcastle

    27 August 2024

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    Clare McDonnell interview on BBC Radio 5 Live Drive

    13 August 2024

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    Helen Jones interview on BBC Radio Merseyside

    13 August 2024

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    Stephen Jardine Show on BBC Radio Scotland

    8 August 2024

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    Sue Dougan interview on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

    24 July 2024

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    Arun Verma interview on BBC Radio Midlands

    23 July 2024

    Amie Flett Interview on STV News

    29 May 2023.

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    Article in The Yorkshire Post August 28, 2024.
    You can view the article     here.

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    Article in The Sunday Post August 24, 2024.
    You can read the article     here.

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    Article in The Metro August 5, 2024.
    You can view the article     here.

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    Article in The Southern Reporter 25 July 2024.
    You can view the article     here.

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    Article in The Press & Journal, 7 January 2024.
    You can view the article     here.

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    Article in The Southern Reporter 19 January 2024.
    You can view the article     here.

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    Article in The Times, 10 June 2023.
    You can view the article     here or a PDF here.

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    Article in The Herald 22 September 2022.

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      “
      Not only has Kevin Donaghy brought together heart wrenching and real life stories of different peoples’ experience with cancer, he has also given genuine hope to and reaffirmed to that those who have, had, and have been through cancer with someone who has or had it that you are not alone. Everyone should buy this book.
      – James, UK
      ”
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      “
      Having cancer can be a very lonely place. Friends and family may offer support however there is nothing better than hearing from others who have/had cancer. So many times I thought ‘that's happened to me’ when reading Stories of Cancer and Hope. After reading I don't feel as alone.
      – David, UK
      ”
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      “
      This is a brilliant book with stories from people affected by cancer. It highlights the fear, anxiety and reality of having, or being affected by, cancer. Most of all, these stories talk about hope... even in the darkest and most frightening moments - there is hope. A must read.
      – DC, UK
      ”
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      “
      Shares the hope and personal experiences of people living with cancer.
      – Dazzer, UK
      ”
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      “
      Kevin Donaghy has gathered stories from people facing cancer diagnoses of all kinds, and in assembling them in all their eloquence, has shown the power of hope. Hope brings positivity; it drives courage and resilience; it builds support networks of brothers and sisters all facing this multi-faceted and devious enemy. Most of all, for anyone (and your families) facing a cancer diagnosis, whatever the stage, Kevin’s wonderful book will bring inspiration, and crucially, it will remind you - you are never alone.
      – Martin H
      ”

    Stories Of Cancer And Hope is supported by:

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      “
      Thank you so much for putting this book together - I am currently going through ‘scanxiety’ and reading the stories has really helped me and given me advice on how to stay hopeful and cope during this time!
      – Bansri, UK
      ”
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      “
      I found this book to be well written, emotive, thought-provoking and an interesting insight into individuals and their cancer journeys. As someone fairly recently diagnosed with Melanoma, it has given me hope and inspiration. Thank you.
      – John, UK
      ”
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      “
      I just wanted to say how good this book is, it shows you’re not alone and as I know, never stop believing you can beat this monster.
      – Andy, UK
      ”
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      “
      Stories of Cancer and Hope manages the high-wire feat of balancing between the tough reality of cancer and the hope that remains when a cancer diagnosis explodes in one’s life. Like a virtuoso conductor, Kevin Donaghy brings together (and joins) very different voices in harmony. Here, they each talk of their experience, expressing the hardships of cancer and singing the precious song of hope. These stories remind us that hope is about the present, not the future, and that it keeps shining through, as long as we keep our eyes open and don’t give up on it.
      – Claude, UK
      ”
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      “
      I love this book. It made me cry and smile many times and gave me hope when I felt down. I re-read some stories every now and again and it helps me to not feel alone.
      – Alex, UK
      ”

    Podcasts


    I would like to thank the following shows for giving me airtime, you can listen to the podcasts below and we would recommend you subscribe to hear all their content.

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    Cancer Can Do One

    Listen on your podcast app of choice
    here

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    Full Circle Podcast
    Apple Podcasts
    Or YouTube

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    You Understood YU Talk Podcast
    with Paul Hutchison
    Apple Podcasts

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    Gary Daly
    @dalyinspiration
    YouTube

    Videos

    Get in touch


    Stories Of Cancer And Hope was launched in May 2023 and a second print run was completed in November 2023.

    If you would like to get in touch please email
    ObscureMyEmail

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    © Stories Of Cancer And Hope 2025
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