Marianne C McDonoughMarianne McDonough is an award-winning author and journalist from Edina, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis. Her professional, and personal achievements have always been rooted in the creative arts, including, in addition to writing, music and dance.She holds a bachelor's degree in History and Secondary Education and a master of arts in Mass Communication. In various capacities, Marianne has also served her community and churches on an ongoing basis, as reflected in her current role as executive director for Great Commission Artists (greatcommissionartists.com), a network of faith-based artists. In 2012, Marianne received an invasive ductile carcinoma diagnosis. Healthy in all other respects, she says she felt powerless at first. It was as if I was no longer in charge of my life, where I was going or for how long. I felt that all my autonomy was gone. Post treatment and into survivorship, Marianne decided to write a book for newly-diagnosed patients, because that's the hardest part in her opinion. Her tag line embodies the empowerment theme of her book: Choose to Lead Your Own Journey. The book title, 8 Steps to Getting Real with Cancer: Empowering Newly-Diagnosed Patients and Those Who Love Them, also reflects her concerns for family and friends, because they're scared, too, and they have no idea what to do or how to help. 8 Steps to Getting Real with Cancer won the Midwest Book Award in the category of health on May 12, 2017. The Midwest Independent Publishing Association, a professional collaborative that promotes excellence in publishing, draws entries annually from a twelve-state Midwestern region for these prestigious awards. In 2018 Marianne released a second book for newly diagnosed patients, Beating Cancer One Truth at a Time. When her oncologist suggested in 2017 that her approach to cancer would be helpful in support group settings, Marianne decided to write a book specifically addressing patients, including more research and practical tips, and providing questions and short opportunities for self-reflection, group discussion, or journaling if desired. This book offers a flexible format to accommodate whatever patients feel will help them best. The subtitle captures the main premise of Beating Cancer, what you believe determines your journey. Marianne's hope going forward is to continue to encourage patients and families as well as advocate for early diagnosis and proactive survivor vigilance. She is also interested in cancer prevention and promoting increased education. Her blog is active on 8stepstogettingrealwithcancer.com, beatingcanceronetruthatatime.com, and mariannemcdonough.com. Read More Read Less