Family Love Loss and Survival Subject of Powerful Memoir



When Cystic Fibrosis struck the Summerhayes family, they began an amazing struggle against a fatal disease, including founding the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. This inspiring tale of struggle and hope is retold in Heather Summerhayes Cariou'ss Sixtyfive Roses: A Sister'ss Memoir, with a foreword by Celine Dion. (ISBN 9781552786789, McArthur 's38; Company, 2008).

Heather Summerhayes Cariou offers an unsparing eyewitness account of the pain, hope and valor of a family in crisis as it falls apart and pulls itself together again and again, only to emerge stronger and more loving. At the heart of the story is the relationship between two sisters. As they journey from early childhood to young adulthood, they find strength, joy, and meaning in one another'ss presence, despite the world of pain and uncertainty that daily faces them.

Four-year-old Pam could not pronounce the name of her disease, so she called it Sixtyfive Roses. Heather Cariou recalls her sister'ss ordeal, the physical, emotional and psychological battles, and how she, her sister, and other family members came to their own understanding of the illness and what it meant for them individually and as a family.

While Sixtyfive Roses focuses on Heather and Pam'ss relationship, all of the Summerhayes family'ss lives were changed when cystic fibrosis struck. One of Heather'ss brothers was also diagnosed with CF. Her parents became activists to raise awareness of the disease. Cariou says of her memoir, I wrote it for every kid who stands in the shadow of a sister or brother, for every parent who ever walked the floor through the night with a sick child, for every friend and neighbor who wonders what the family down the street is going through. More than that, it'ss for anyone on their own hero'ss or heroine'ss journey.

Sixtyfive Roses is a courageous tale of fighting for your life and never giving up. It'ss about loving fearlessly and making difficult choices in the name of love. Pam and Heather'ss story confirms the strength that lies within us during adversity. This memoir reveals love'ss powerful place in life and death. Fittingly, the publisher McArthur 's38; Company has agreed that 5% of all book sales will be donated to the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, founded by Cariou'ss parents.

About the Author

Heather Cariou was born and raised in Ontario, Canada. In 1983, she immigrated to New York City; today she lives on the Hudson River in New Jersey with her husband, stage and screen actor, Len Cariou. Before embarking on her writing career, Heather spent over 20 years as a professional actor. She is a founding member of the Galaxy Writers Workshop in New Jersey, and sits on the Board of the International Women'ss Writing Guild. She is currently co-producing the feature film of Sixtyfive Roses with Eva Longoria and UnbeliEVAble Productions. Heather is also available for speaking engagements, workshops and Book Club appearances.

Sixtyfive Roses: A Sister'ss Memoir (ISBN 9781552786789, McArthur 's38; Company, 2008) can be purchased through local and online bookstores. For more information, visit www.sixtyfiverosesthebook.com. Publicity contact: www.ReaderViews.com. Review copies available upon request.





Family Love Loss and Survival Subject of Powerful Memoir




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