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From Me To You : A bittersweet and heartwarming memoir
In 2010 Alison Hitchcock made an unusual offer to an acquaintance, Brian Greenley, who had been diagnosed with cancer – she offered to write letters to cheer him up while he was undergoing treatment.
She had no idea what possessed her – she barely knew Brian and didn’t imagine there was much humour to be had out of cancer. But two and a half years later Brian had defied the statistics and was cancer free, Alison had embarked on a writing career inspired by her letters and they had become best friends.
While Brian battled 3 bouts of cancer, was given a 10% chance of survival and struggled with the general unpleasantness of a colostomy bag, Alison was a 42 year old woman in search of a new career, a new love-life and purpose, distracting herself by writing witty letters to a man she barely knew.
Although she was putting on a brave face, she was feeling life wasn’t working out, personally or professionally, and as she dithered and dabbled, it was writing to Brian, and following his own radical changes, which eventually led her to her writing.
While the letters were only ever meant to amuse Brian, and his journal entries were only ever for himself, together they tell their story of friendship, following a passion, battling to stay alive and, above all, seeing the funny side.
In a final twist to the story, at the end of 2016, with Brian celebrating 4 years cancer-free, the two were recorded by Radio 4, telling the story of the letters, Brian’s recovery, and their friendship.
The positive response led to them setting up the charity, From Me to You, which inspires people to write letters to friends, family and strangers suffering from cancer; keeping them connected at a time they feel most disconnected.
The charity’s Donate A Letter programme has attracted thousands of letter writers from around the world, writing anonymous letters to cancer patients which the charity delivers to hospitals across the UK. This year alone the charity will distribute over 10,000 letters, supported by on-line and in-person workshops, presentations and collaborations with partner charities. With a very engaged online community, the charity has close to 10,000 of its own connected social media followers and many more through the extensive radio, TV and press coverage it has received.
Promotion on podcasts such as The Allusionist, the BBC’s Me You & The Big C and Davina McCall’s Making The Cut have hugely helped in making From Me to You an international campaign, along with features in magazines and newspapers such as Prima and The Daily Telegraph .
A Point of Light Award from the Prime Minister extended further the reach of the charity
From Me To You ,is their bitter-sweet story told through Alison’s letters and Brian’s journal entries.
She had no idea what possessed her – she barely knew Brian and didn’t imagine there was much humour to be had out of cancer. But two and a half years later Brian had defied the statistics and was cancer free, Alison had embarked on a writing career inspired by her letters and they had become best friends.
While Brian battled 3 bouts of cancer, was given a 10% chance of survival and struggled with the general unpleasantness of a colostomy bag, Alison was a 42 year old woman in search of a new career, a new love-life and purpose, distracting herself by writing witty letters to a man she barely knew.
Although she was putting on a brave face, she was feeling life wasn’t working out, personally or professionally, and as she dithered and dabbled, it was writing to Brian, and following his own radical changes, which eventually led her to her writing.
While the letters were only ever meant to amuse Brian, and his journal entries were only ever for himself, together they tell their story of friendship, following a passion, battling to stay alive and, above all, seeing the funny side.
In a final twist to the story, at the end of 2016, with Brian celebrating 4 years cancer-free, the two were recorded by Radio 4, telling the story of the letters, Brian’s recovery, and their friendship.
The positive response led to them setting up the charity, From Me to You, which inspires people to write letters to friends, family and strangers suffering from cancer; keeping them connected at a time they feel most disconnected.
The charity’s Donate A Letter programme has attracted thousands of letter writers from around the world, writing anonymous letters to cancer patients which the charity delivers to hospitals across the UK. This year alone the charity will distribute over 10,000 letters, supported by on-line and in-person workshops, presentations and collaborations with partner charities. With a very engaged online community, the charity has close to 10,000 of its own connected social media followers and many more through the extensive radio, TV and press coverage it has received.
Promotion on podcasts such as The Allusionist, the BBC’s Me You & The Big C and Davina McCall’s Making The Cut have hugely helped in making From Me to You an international campaign, along with features in magazines and newspapers such as Prima and The Daily Telegraph .
A Point of Light Award from the Prime Minister extended further the reach of the charity
From Me To You ,is their bitter-sweet story told through Alison’s letters and Brian’s journal entries.
- GenresNonfiction
326 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 31, 2023
7 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 16, 2023
I already knew of Brian and Alison's charity From Me To You via Twitter and the letter writing community there, but I read this memoir avidly and was moved to both laughter and tears at times. (And sometimes tears of laughter!) A hugely engaging account of a friendship forged via letters in a dark time. Beautiful.
September 13, 2024
wow!
What a wonderful read. I did not know what to expect but I could not stop turning the pages. I loved the lay out of the journal by Brian and the letters (slotted in by date) running all through it. The letters were funny, uplifting, while acknowledging and expressing the cancer news did not dwell but was very caring.
I found myself rooting for Brian and feeling his disappointment at times with the results. I was even rooting for tea taster Ben and if there would be a wedding or not. Alison took me on her journey and meeting all those different people and even the snippets of conversations overheard. Thank you Alison and Brian for a good read and you have made me want to write a letter. I will check out the website. Even though this is a difficult subject to face, it is also difficult to relate to so people can disappear but this book proves it does not have to be so heavily involved for someone to show they are there for you and who knows strong friendships can be formed and blossom.
What a wonderful read. I did not know what to expect but I could not stop turning the pages. I loved the lay out of the journal by Brian and the letters (slotted in by date) running all through it. The letters were funny, uplifting, while acknowledging and expressing the cancer news did not dwell but was very caring.
I found myself rooting for Brian and feeling his disappointment at times with the results. I was even rooting for tea taster Ben and if there would be a wedding or not. Alison took me on her journey and meeting all those different people and even the snippets of conversations overheard. Thank you Alison and Brian for a good read and you have made me want to write a letter. I will check out the website. Even though this is a difficult subject to face, it is also difficult to relate to so people can disappear but this book proves it does not have to be so heavily involved for someone to show they are there for you and who knows strong friendships can be formed and blossom.
April 5, 2023
I had this book on pre-order. What a fantastic uplifting book about a friendship that evolves over a series of letters and treatments.
I urge everyone to buy a copy and then buy another for friends and family. It will make you laugh out loud in places you didn’t expect to. I had to read this downstairs away from sleeping hubby because I couldn’t stop the laughter. Then again there were moments of sadness but nevertheless, these were very far and few between. You were just willing Brian to pull through ….then again, with Alison on his side, onwards and upwards.
I urge everyone to buy a copy and then buy another for friends and family. It will make you laugh out loud in places you didn’t expect to. I had to read this downstairs away from sleeping hubby because I couldn’t stop the laughter. Then again there were moments of sadness but nevertheless, these were very far and few between. You were just willing Brian to pull through ….then again, with Alison on his side, onwards and upwards.
April 21, 2023
A gorgeous book following a blossoming friendship. Laughter and tears
July 14, 2023
heartwarming
This is like having a couple of friends in your handbag or man bag.
I have been writing letters for From Me To You for a few months now and I really hope they make a difference to the person reading them. I also set up a letter writing group and we wrote to them too. After reading this book I’m sure the letters do make a difference .
This is a nice gift of support to someone who has cancer as they will probably relate to Brian’s emotions and know it’s ok to sometimes have an off day. Alison’s letters are uplifting though , not doom and gloom.
They are both amazing people who have gone on to form this charity to guide others through days where they may need a few words of kindness
🤍
If you know anyone who is feeling poorly pop some ink on some paper …
This is like having a couple of friends in your handbag or man bag.
I have been writing letters for From Me To You for a few months now and I really hope they make a difference to the person reading them. I also set up a letter writing group and we wrote to them too. After reading this book I’m sure the letters do make a difference .
This is a nice gift of support to someone who has cancer as they will probably relate to Brian’s emotions and know it’s ok to sometimes have an off day. Alison’s letters are uplifting though , not doom and gloom.
They are both amazing people who have gone on to form this charity to guide others through days where they may need a few words of kindness
🤍
If you know anyone who is feeling poorly pop some ink on some paper …
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews