Pink Ribbon Stories

The commercialization of the breast cancer movement is challenged in this analysis of how breast cancer has been transformed from a stigmatized disease and individual tragedy to a market-driven industry of survivorship.

This book is a wonderful collection of stories from 123 women and men whose lives have been affected by breast cancer. There are all kinds of stories in this book. I am certain that something here will resonate with every reader. For some of the stories I should probably issue a "tissue warning," and for others a "laughter warning," just Depends - yes, the pun IS intended!! There are stories that will warm your heart; make you laugh; cause you to pause for reflection; and others that simply tell a story of a courageous journey through life.

A new collection of stories from A. S. Byatt is always a winner, and this one takes an unexpected turn, bringing shivers as well as delights. Leaves rustle underfoot in a dark wood: two middle-aged women walk into a forest, as they did when they were girls, confronting their fears and memories and the strange thing they saw in their childhood - or thought they saw - so long ago. A distinguished obstetrician and young woman artist find they have sharply contrasting ideas about body parts, birth and death; an innocent member of an evening class harbours unexpected view on 'raw material'. The stories in this marvellous collection are by turns funny, spooky, sparkling and haunting. The Little Black Book of Stories holds its secrets, adding a dark quality to Byatt's famous skill in mixing folk and fairy tale with everyday life.

"Updated with images and a new introduction on recent controversies"--Cover.

Melissa Adams was 31 years old when she was diagnosed with stage 2A invasive ductal carcinoma. Behind the Pink Ribbon takes you through Melissa's breast cancer journey. She shares the details of finding her lump, receiving the diagnosis of breast cancer, the endless doctor's appointment, 11 different surgeries, treatment, and complicating issues that followed. In this tell-all book, Melissa shares her real and raw rollercoaster of emotions related to her diagnosis, the treatments, and the changes to her body. She opens up about having the BRCA2 mutation from a biological father that walked out of her life when she was an infant. Melissa shares her frustration with the lack of resources and becoming a voice and an advocate for young women with breast cancer. She opens up about the lessons she has learned through cancer and how cancer became one of her most important teachers in life. Melissa talks about dating while dealing with cancer. She shares her story of ultimately finding the love of her life, who taught her that true unconditional love exists and in the process taught her how to love herself again. Melissa takes you through her journey of finding herself again, creating her new "normal" after breast cancer, and finding happiness.

“Samantha King explains how, beyond being an all-too-frequent and still-too-lethal disease for many women, breast cancer is a corporate dream come true.” —Herizons “Fascinating. King’s deft and thoughtful interpretation of the pink ribbon phenomenon is an important wake-up call. Going against the grain, she takes a clear-eyed look at a trend that often seems to outshine the disease that put it on the map.” —Women’s Review of Books “King’s criticisms of breast-cancer philanthropy provide a new means of looking at one of our culture’s most celebrated causes. For anyone who has ever squirreled away yogurt lids for the cause, Pink Ribbons, Inc. is food for thought.” —Bitch “A fascinating read for anyone whose life has been touched by breast cancer.” —Curve “Breast cancer advocacy is being transformed from meaningful civic participation into purchasing products. To understand the personal, social, and political costs, read this book.” —Barbara Brenner, Executive Director of Breast Cancer Action In Pink Ribbons, Inc., Samantha King traces how breast cancer has been transformed from a stigmatized disease and individual tragedy to a market-driven industry of survivorship. Here, for the first time, King questions the effectiveness and legitimacy of privately funded efforts to stop the epidemic among American women. Highly revelatory-at times shocking-Pink Ribbons, Inc. challenges the commercialization of the breast cancer movement. Samantha King is associate professor of physical and health education and women’s studies at Queen’s University, in Kingston, Ontario

It has been five years since Madeleine has recognised her husband James. As she drops deeper into her dementia, their lives fill up with the ghosts of her past and of Blitz-era London. When late one night his loneliness causes him to welcome a distressed young lady into their home, he must re-evaluate his perspective. Part of the Storycuts series, this short story was originally published in the collection Little Black Book of Stories.