Woman Survives Cancer, Thrives As Children’s Book Publisher

April 19, 2010 - PRLog -- Amelia Frahm was chosen from a pool of over a hundred finalists nationwide to be featured in the upcoming "From Surviving to Thriving" Tele-Summit for breast cancer survivors. Frahm will be a key note speaker in the week-long tele-summit to virtually bring together women who have had breast cancer with the goal to inspire them to transform their experience into something great.

Rochelle Togo-Figa is hosting this free event inviting all breast cancer survivors to learn how to be a "Breast Cancer Thriver”.  The event will include inspiring stories from ten women located all over the country.

“I’m honored to be included with such amazing women.  Events like this remind me  how far we’ve come since the days when I was told no parent would want to read their child a book like Tickles Tabitha’s Cancer-tankerous Mommy unless they had too,” said Frahm.

Togo-Figa’s new program, Your Life After Breast Cancer, trains women how to thrive with the tools, techniques and tips perfected in the training world and applied to personal struggles in a way to design an exceptional life post breast cancer.

She explains why this first event is so important in the pink ribbon saturated breast cancer movement: “A breast cancer diagnosis changes your life," said Togo-Figa. "Statistically, 98 percent of women diagnosed with cancer confined to the breast are alive five years later. But the 'Missing Link' in the health care system is the lack of post treatment support. After a patient ends treatment and returns to her normal life there is very little encouragement to make personal life changes to truly go after your dreams and thrive in work and life."

Other Speakers Include:

Donna Deegan is a well-known journalist, philanthropist, and marathoner. As a three time breast cancer survivor she is the founder and president of The Donna Foundation. Deegan is an evening news anchor for First Coast News, Gannett Broadcasting’s NBC and ABC affiliate stations in Jacksonville Florida. She lives with her husband and children in Jacksonville Beach.

Hayley Townley is a Real Estate Broker by trade. Hayley created a website for breast cancer survivors and their loved ones to show there is, indeed, life after breast cancer. The success of the website has prompted a book series, which will be on bookshelves in 2011. She is a spokesmodel for Cleavage Creek Cellars, a winery that donates 10% of gross profits to breast cancer research.

Jenny Saldaña. A playwright, Jenny hadn’t found a muse to write about in years until she heard ‘you have cancer’ and PINK: The Chronicles of BC Jenny was born. Jenny now tours colleges with PINK to share her inspiring and funny story of a young Latina with breast cancer. Jenny is currently working on a memoir/self help book for young cancer survivors.

Andrea Raynor a graduate of Harvard Divinity School, is a United Methodist minister, a chaplain, and a cancer survivor. In the aftermath of September 11th, she served as a chaplain to the morgue at Ground Zero, offering blessings over remains and support to the many workers there. Her new book, The Voice That Calls You Home, a collection of essays from her life experiences, was recently published by Atria Books, a division of Simon and Schuster.

Gina Andrews was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 at 31 years old, six days after delivering her child. Currently, Andrews strives to promote early breast cancer detection, bring awareness to young women, and raise funds through her apparel line to donate to charities that provide breast cancer services through her new company, SaveRBoobies.
Patricia Royall, a two year breast cancer survivor is the founder of Jazzy Johnnys™, a line of patient wear that is dignified, stylish, and comfortable, all the while being practical to its intended hospital purpose.

Jamie Eslinger was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Disease at age 17. Less than a month later her mother "Mama Sling" was diagnosed with breast cancer. Jamie and her mother battled to overcome cancer together. Today, Jamie is the founder of MarketingTiara.com and serves as a Board Member of the Massachusetts Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
Anne Best is the founder and CEO of the Nashville based DryDreams Sleepwear, which manufactures and distributes a unique line of sleepwear intended to help combat the effects of night sweats.

Amelia Frahm is author of the award winning children’s picture book, Tickles Tabitha’s Cancer-tankerous Mommy, creator of Crack Open a Book! Cancer Education Programs, and owner of the Nutcracker Publishing Company. She was diagnosed 15 years ago when talking to young children about issues like cancer still raised eyebrows, and her book idea was rejected by mainstream publishers. Undaunted, she established Nutcracker Publishing and helped pioneer cancer education resources for children and families coping with cancer.

# # #

Originated to publish "Tickles Tabitha's Cancer-tankerous Mommy" a children's book about cancer. Offering cancer education programs for children and adults to schools, and organization interested in cancer awareness. Crack Open A Book!