VIP's Book Club: Dear Friend

DEAR FRIEND

BY GINA L. MULLIGAN

October is known nationwide as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In honor of that, Vip searched out a book dedicated to those fighting this nasty disease. The book chosen is more like a traveling journal! After fighting her own breast cancer battle, Gina L. Mulligan made it her mission to gather a collection of inspirational letters to use in one single book, Dear Friend. Her goal was to offer encouraging words and drawings to inspire others who were also diagnosed with breast cancer. In Dear Friend, there are countless handwritten notes from women all over the world including a few from children, young adults, and men. Each note begins with endearing intros such as “Dear Friend” or "Dear Sister" and then leads into sharing words of wisdom and love, many of which come from women who have fought the same fight. An equally interesting part included in the book is drawings and scribbles from young children. It is a beautiful representation of encouragement coming from anywhere and at every age. With help from her nonprofit, Girls Love Mail, Mulligan was able to collect heartfelt letters. She founded the organization in 2011 after her diagnosis. Girls Love Mail works with individuals who want to send letters to women battling breast cancer. Over the last ten years, they have mailed over 100,000 handwritten letters. Mulligan makes it accessible for anyone who has an interest in writing letters or even drawing pictures to breast cancer patients. All you need is a stamp and you are set! If you are interested in getting involved with this organization and writing letters for them, visit their website, girlslovemail.com, for more information. Handwritten Notes From Women All Over The World

about Gina L. Mulligan:

Gina L. Mulligan is the award-winning author of two historical novels; Remember The Ladies and From Across The Room, and the Amazon #1 Bestselling non-fiction Dear Friend; Letters of Encouragement, Humor, and Love for Women with Breast Cancer. Gina has been featured on The NBC NIGHTLY NEWS with LESTER HOLT, The STEVE HARVEY SHOW, PEOPLE.com, TODAY.com, O, The OPRAH Magazine, and WOMAN'S DAY'S Magazine.

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