Dear Friend: Letters of Encouragement, Humor, and Love for Women with Breast Cancer

by Gina L. Mulligan

This beautiful collection of handwritten letters offers strength, encouragement, and comfort to women living with breast cancer. Written by compassionate strangers—many of whom have gone through their own health battles—these heartfelt letters were gathered by Girls Love Mail, an organization that provides support to people diagnosed with breast cancer as seen on NBC Nightly News. Presented in an elegant package with metallic endpapers, and a ribbon marker, and brimming with warm messages of empathy, inspiration, and humor, Dear Friend delivers words of wisdom when they're needed the most.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography

160 pages, Hardcover

First published September 26, 2017

About the author

Gina L. Mulligan began her writing career over twenty years ago as a freelance journalist for national magazines. Her short stories have appeared in Star 82 Review and Storyacious, were performed at Stories on Stage Sacramento, and were included in the anthologies Tudor Close: A Collection of Mystery Stories and Not Your Mother’s Book…on Dogs. She’s won awards from the Abilene Writers Guild, San Francisco LitQuake, and the Soul-Making Keats Literary Competition.

After her own diagnosis, Gina founded Girls Love Mail, a charity that collects handwritten letters of encouragement for women newly diagnosed with breast cancer. She was honored for her charitable work on the nationally syndicated talk show The Steve Harvey Show, People.com and Today.com

Gina is the author of two award-winning historical fictions. Remember the Ladies and From Across the Room.

Reviews

[Elizabeth☮ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A friend got this for me for my birthday which happens to be in October which is Breast Cancer Awareness month.

This is a collection of letters written to recently diagnosed breast cancer patients. The organization behind it can be found at www.girlslovemail.com. I think it’s a great idea to surround someone with words of encouragement as they go through their journey.

I’m so glad I know about this organization, so I can start writing letters.

[Jillian Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

A friend gave this to me as a gift upon my breast cancer diagnosis. I read it each week at treatment and it gave me so much hope, companionship and life. The letters are copies of handwritten letters which makes it so sweet and meaningful. I cried and laughed while reading: highly recommend!

[Jeanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

So pleased to have won this wonderful book in a recent Goodreads First Reads giveaway.

I am stumped for what to say about this wonderful book, other than anyone who has or had breast cancer, should read this book. Loved the design of the hardback cover and such pretty stationary can be seen surrounding most letters. As in the title, the letters are full of encouragement, humor and love. I myself have not had breast cancer, but i am a survivor of cancer and could relate to many of the feelings within this book. This is a book that i shall be keeping. Recommended.

[Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely collection of short letters to encourage and support women who have breast cancer. (Though men can and do get breast cancer, many of the letters assume the reader is a woman, as the book's subtitle indicates.)

A friend gave me this book when I was undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer, and it was just what I needed to feel supported. It makes a perfect gift.

Most of the letters are written by women, some of whom are fellow survivors. There are a few letters here and there from men and children. I was impressed to find that letters from teenagers showed remarkable wisdom. In my reading, for every letter that did not quite resonate with me, there was at least one other that said exactly the words I needed to hear/read.

It's probably best not to read this book cover-to-cover in one sitting; instead, keep it nearby and pick it up whenever you need a little comfort.

Overall extremely uplifting, but with a twinge of bittersweetness with the realization that complete strangers were able to provide more meaningful support than some of my own friends and family. Then again, these letters must have been carefully curated out of thousands to include only the most powerful and heartfelt words.

It's worth noting that all the letters in this book are printed as they were originally handwritten. I loved the beautiful pages of colorful stationery and doodles, and I enjoyed each letter-writer's unique penmanship. It occurs to me that maybe a younger generation of survivors might not appreciate the handwriting as much, since many schools no longer teach cursive.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book provides inspiration and encouragement, not just for those battling breast cancer, (or any cancer), but for anyone. The hand written letters contained within the book are beautiful, sometimes funny, and always heartfelt. The letters from children are especially touching. I don't want to single out any one letter, when you read the book, you will discover your own favorites. I am not a person who rereads books, but I will keep this book nearby, so I can read the letters again, especially after a hard day. And yes, I am one of the contributors, having one of my letters selected for the book. I feel privileged to have a letter included. The book is beautifully done, with amazing stationary backgrounds for the letters. Dear Friend is a book to cherish!

[Susan Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful compilation of real letters written by real people through the Girls Love Mail organization. Girls Love Mail sends letters full of hope, inspiration and love to women diagnosed with breast cancer. This book is a wonderful gift for any women in your life who are struggling with this disease.

[Elyza · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book through a giveaway from LibraryThing.com and Chronicle Books. This is a lovely, beautiful, and encouraging book! I will be passing it on in hope if it reaching someone who really needs it! My Grandma was a breast cancer survivor and I think she would've loved this book. Not only are the letters beautiful but the book itself is comforting and gorgeous!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciated this collection of inspirational letters to/for breast cancer survivors despite not being a breast cancer survivor...yet. Pretty much every female in my family ends up with breast cancer & lately it's been popping up at younger ages sooooo it sometimes feels as if it's lurking right around my shoulder.
Full Disclosure: Sometimes I'm a bit of an Eeyore...expecting & preparing for the worst in certain situations. If you're expectations are low...odds are you'll often be pleasantly surprised, relieved & grateful when the worst doesn't occur. Yes...it's twisted...but...it works for me. :-)

Reading the letters in this book made it a bit difficult to be an Eeyore while reading it...which is a pretty amazing accomplishment.

The letters are inspiring & heartfelt. They are from survivors and friends/family members of survivors. Some are amazingly encouraging...some not so much...but it's the thought that counts, right? ;-)

The only complaint I have & that caused me to rate as 4 stars instead of 5 is that not many of the letters are humorous. I think laughter is the best medicine & when you're struggling with your health...sometimes the it's the only medicine that doesn't have any negative side effects.

***Special thanks to Chronicle Books for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[fpk · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as part of Early Reviewers from Librarything. Dear Friends is the result of a project started by a breast cancer survivor, Gina L. Mulligan. Gina shares in the introduction how once she beat cancer, she knew she wanted to start something to encourage other women going through the same experience. And the result is a series of handwritten letters of encouragement, letters written by survivors, siblings, children,men, some soldiers-to women who've been recently diagnosed, women who are feeling overwhelmed, scared and out of control. Thus this book is a bound copy of handwritten notes, pictures and poems, addressed to "Dear Friend" or "Dear Sister".
Many of the notes say the same thing- you are strong, you can beat this, you are not alone, you are brave, my mother beat cancer, my grandmother beat cancer, you will too. I think the idea is wonderful, to hand letters of encouragement to women fighting cancer. But I couldn't help feeling that there is something missing here. Not everyone beats cancer, and people know this. Women know that they may not survive it. And there doesn't seem to be any acknowledgement of this truth in this book. I know that it is culturally and societally appropriate to spread messages of "positivity" and hope, but when there is a denial of the reality of possible death, it just screams something out to me .. The big elephant in the room is stomping. Won't anyone have the courage to mention possible death? Won't anyone mention what *every* woman thinks of when she is diagnosed? And while it is encouraging to hear positive outcomes, there is something sorely missing when the obvious isn't stated: yes, you may die from this....
I guess that would make a lousy book though. The pretty handwriting (in some cases) just doesn't fit with bad news. I admire Gina L. Mulligan for all the work she put into this project. And I hope it encourages many women.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Described as "Letters of Encouragement, Humor and Love for Women with Breast Cancer," this book lives up to its hype. It is a small, easy to handle and carry book, especially user friendly for anyone who wants to bring this to a chemo treatment, etc. What makes it special are the contents - numerous letters in the authors' original writing on the letterhead they were created on, as well as artwork created by people of all ages and backgrounds whose sole purpose is to support women battling breast cancer. There are notes from women who fought and survived, children who offer their unique and often smile-provoking insights, as well as best wishes from people who just want to be there, often the most important thing of all! This is a life-affirming project that I will pass on to someone who could use a little of this type of TLC. I simply loved this book and all the best wishes it contains!

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dear friend gave me this book recently, and I must say it is definitely a treasure. I had a moment of mild skepticism before I started reading, wondering how impactful it would be to read letters from people I didn’t know? That feeling quickly passed as soon as I began reading these wonderful, encouraging missives. I laughed, I teared up, I smiled - I generally felt better after reading the lovely, heartfelt sentiments of these gifted writers, and I would like to thank them all. This is a wonderful project, and I hope to join the effort and write letters of my own to other brave women fighting breast cancer, as it definitely a lot to go through.

[NormaCenva · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is such a wonderful edition, it is evident that huge amount of care went into making this volume. I read it in one day and really enjoyed it! Plus, the delivery was lightning fast! Very impressed.

[Nickie Brock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving this one: so many heartfelt and empowering letters from survivors, family members and others in the breast cancer community. Letters are truly one of life’s greatest pleasures (for me), both sending and receiving, so this was (and is, since I read and reread) a treat.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read one letter every morning over breakfast. Some were better than others and more inspirational. It bothered me to see some poor spelling, punctuation & grammar. I tried to look past it to the underlying message.

[Suzanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beautiful and empowering idea for all women, but I was distracted by the penmanship and misspellings.

[Audrey Hochstetter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for any patient going through breast cancer!

[Lorri · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful book, filled with inspiring pages, and supportive methods for those with breast cancer. A true gem!

I read this in less than two days.

[V.C. Pitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A friend gave me this book right after I had been diagnosed. The letters within gave me hope, encouragement, and made me smile. I recommend this book for anyone diagnosed.

[TraceyB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring

[Amber Greer · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was cute. It would be a good book to read if you want to learn about breast cancer, know the journeys that breast cancer women went through, breast cancer awareness/month (October), or etc.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure why I read this when I don't have breast cancer but I thought these letters were beautiful.

[Cherise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful.

I read this book just as I was diagnosed with breast cancer at 33 years of age and it helped me so much. Letters written by strangers filled with hope, encouragement, support, wisdom and love. This book gave me so much mental resilience and hope, right when I needed it the most.

A thoughtful and appropriate gift for anyone diagnosed with breast cancer.

[Birgit · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 tärni ainult seepärast, et nii paljud kirjad olid nii raskelt loetavad. Aga "Dear sister" sai küll uued mõõtmed ja ma sain palju nutta <3 inimesed on nii ilusad ja head ja haprad