Brenda Ladun, a popular ABC news anchor in Birmingham, asked me to meet her at a local coffee house. She had courageously faced breast cancer, allowing viewers across our state to see into her life as she went through every stage of the treatment and the impact of the treatments on her body, her family, and her life. As a result, she ministered to thousands of viewers who faced cancer personally or as family or friend.
On the morning we met, Brenda explained that it had been five years since her surgeries. She had worked hard to gain her strength and health back, and now wanted to help others by sharing what she had learned. She had a vision of partnering with her television network, a local hospital system, and New Hope Publishers to provide not only a book, but a DVD that would include interviews and demonstrations by medical professionals of exercises, treatments, and nutritional advice.
Two years later we released in partnership with Saint Vincent Hospital, ABC 33/40, and Brenda Ladun, an incredible book, Behind the Scenes of Breast Cancer: A News Anchor Tells Her Story of Body and Soul Recovery. In the back of every book is a DVD featuring professionals who freely gave of their expertise and time to make the DVD a reality, thanks to the commitment of Saint Vincent Hospital and Brenda Ladun. When the book released I was privileged to go with Brenda to some of the events where she told her story and encouraged hundreds of her fans who came to tell her how much she had helped them through their own experience with cancer.
This month is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In a recent report the news is good that the mortality rate has decreased. Since over 40,000 die each year, this is encouraging to hear. We are thankful for every life saved because of improved treatments and increased awareness.
If you or someone you love is facing this disease, we at New Hope Publishers pray God’s strength and healing graces will be yours.
