Cancer fighter inspires women battling the disease in Jordan

AMMAN — Aiming to guide and inspire people battling cancer, British author Lucy O’Donnell, who was diagnosed with incurable breast cancer in 2011, documented her journey, highlighting the personal aspect of life battling the disease.

O’Donnell on Monday held a book signing ceremony for her work, “Cancer is My Teacher.”

“When I was diagnosed I found that there was no information whatsoever about… the practical, emotional, physical, spiritual sides, and all those are very important components to getting well again,” she told The Jordan Times.

O’Donnell said it was this that inspired her to write her book, which offers and shares advice from and to cancer patients. 

“I think in Jordan… until recently, there has been a taboo about cancer… husbands have found it hard to support their wives… that’s why I wrote the book — to help other people from my experience and what I learned from the journey,” the author added.

The book focuses on the emotional and practical aspects of navigating the medical side of cancer treatment and aims to promote optimism among cancer fighters, according to O’Donnell. 

HRH Princess Ghaida Talal said the fact that the book is written by a young mother of three gives hope and inspiration to thousands of women around the globe in their fight against the disease. 

She said O’Donnell “decided to write a book to help the thousands of women from the first [until the last] day of diagnosis”, challenging the technical and frightening answers of doctors and the Internet. 

“It is not a story of sadness; it is a story of joy and happiness,” she added, noting that cases such as this will help cancer patients address their fears and acknowledge that cancer is not “an automatic death sentence” but is something that can be conquered.

The event was also attended by HH Princess Dina Mired, alongside a number of cancer patients and other women. 

All proceeds from the book will go to the King Hussein Cancer Foundation and Centre.