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A WISH RENEWED

"So next time when you see a kid with cancer or even someone who looks a little different, try a smile."

Thirteen years ago, a teenager with cancer made a wish. She wanted to make a difference by sharing a message with all who would listen. The Make-A-Wish® Foundation of Michigan made Alex Graham's wish for a public service announcement a reality. Alex and the friends she made at the hospital used the wish opportunity to speak from the heart. People across America and from around world listened. Their message still rings true today, and a new version of their video has just been released.

Alex would have been 30 this year. Her inspirational story is told in the book When One Door Closes. Like Alex, some of the children in her video lost their health battles, but their courage, grace and message will always be with us. Some in the video like Amanda who says, "No more pokes," is now 15 years old and a talented artist. Judy is now married, and Ethan is a college student!

When you watch this newly released version of Alex's wish, you will see that time has not changed the importance or the relevance of her message. As you listen to their words, please consider supporting organizations like the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America®, the Ronald McDonald House Charities, and the American Cancer Society. These and many other fine organizations bring smiles to those who need it most, offer assistance and fund medical research. Choose to get involved and make a difference. Your time, talent and contributions will help open doors for others.

RONALD McDONALD HOUSES to Receive When One Door Closes

Northville, MI.  January 20, 2011 - In the spring of 1998 teenager Alex Graham traveled with her parents Susie and Bill to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York. There, lung surgery was performed in an attempt to stop the spread of cancer in her young body.  The Ronald McDonald House made it possible for Alex's parents to stay close to their daughter by providing accommodations in a safe, clean and supportive environment.  Alex's story and her remarkable wish granted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation are detailed in the pages of When One Door Closes by Susie and Bill Graham with H. Thomas Saylor.  

The Ronald McDonald House program provides a “home-away-from-home” at 300 locations around the globe.  Not only is it a place to stay, it is a place where families can learn and share. That’s why the publisher, Three Dot L.L.C., is pleased to offer a complimentary copy of the award winning When One Door Closes to Ronald McDonald House’s across North America.  When a family member is diagnosed with a life threatening illness it not only impacts the individual but family members, friends and the community — especially when the family member is a child or teen.  Alex’s story is a real world account about one of the most difficult of life challenges any individual or family can face.  Its authors hope readers will find the book both a source of valuable informational and one of inspiration.                     

Letters of notification to individual Ronald McDonald Houses and book shipments began in October of 2010, and the publisher hopes to complete the process by the end of 2011. 

Gilda’s Clubs to Receive When One Door Closes

Northville, MI. September 1, 2010 - Susie and Bill Graham and H. Thomas Saylor wrote the book When One Door Closes as a way to share the true story of Alex Graham, her family, friends and community so that others could learn from their experiences. The book is an opportunity to see how the Graham’s daughter, Alex, and those who loved her responded to cancer and found ways to live life fully. It explores a full range of feelings and offers the opportunity to discuss and debate attitudes and behaviors.

Gilda's Clubs offer the kind of support which empowers its members through collective wisdom and shared experience. It's a place for learning skills and gathering information. That’s why the publisher, Three Dot L.L.C., is pleased to offer a complimentary copy of When One Door Closes to each Gilda’s Club location in North America. "The mission of Gilda's Clubs aligns so well with the goals of the book. We truly hope Alex's story is one that can be used to support the mission of Gilda’s Club and the communities it serves. Individual letters of notification and book fulfillment began in April, 2010, and we hope to complete the process by the end of the year," said Harold Sieloff, President of Three Dot.

WHEN ONE DOOR CLOSES FEATURED ON VoiceAmerica RADIO

On March 23, 2009 in a program entitled "Living Life with Courage in the Face of Tragedy," Dr. Terri Orbuch, host of the popular Love Doctor radio program, welcomes guests Susie and Bill Graham, co-authors of, When One Door Closes: A Teen’s Inspiring Journey and Living Legacy. LISTEN LIVE by tuning in at 8 AM PT or on demand any time thereafter.

Terri L. Orbuch, PhD, better known as "The Love Doctor," is an author, psychologist, workshop leader, university sociology professor, nationally recognized research scientist, and a popular radio and television personality who specializes in relationships of all kinds. Dr. Orbuch has penned five academic books on relationships, and has published dozens of articles on marriage and divorce, parent-child relationships, and love and sexuality. VoiceAmerica is the world leader in internet talk radio. Since 1999, the VoiceAmerica Talk Radio Network has been streaming live Internet talk radio programs, featuring more than 300 hosts broadcasting on seven genre-based channels. To learn more about the Love Doctor and to listen to the interview CLICK HERE.

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BOOK OF THE YEAR FINALIST
ForeWord Magazine has selected When One Door Closes: A Teen's Inspiring Journey and Living Legacy as a finalist in the 2008 Book of the Year Awards. The literary competition recognizes excellence in books coming from the independent press community. Books were entered by 376 publishers in 61 categories. The Gold, Silver and Bronze winners will be determined by a panel of librarians and booksellers. Winners will be announced at BookExpo America at the Javits Center in New York City on May 29.

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WHEN ONE DOOR CLOSES NAMED 2009 MOM'S CHOICE AWARD RECIPIENT

Chesapeake, VA. – The recently released book When One Door Closes: A Teen’s Inspiring Journey and Living Legacy by Susie and Bill Graham with H. Thomas Saylor has been named by Mom’s Choice Awards® to be among the best in family- friendly media, products and services of 2009.

Parents, educators, librarians and retailers rely on the Mom’s Choice evaluations when selecting quality materials for children and families. The Mom’s Choice Awards® seal helps families and educators navigate the vast array of products and services and make informed decisions. When One Door Closes is published by Three Dot L.L.C. of Northville, Michigan and is being honored in the adult books category.

An esteemed panel of judges includes education, media and other experts as well as parents, children, librarians, performing artists, producers, medical and business professionals, authors, scientists and others. A sampling of panel members includes: Dr. Twila C. Liggett, ten-time Emmy-winner, professor and founder of PBS’s Reading Rainbow; Julie Aigner-Clark, Creator of Baby Einstein and The Safe Side Project; Jodee Blanco, New York Times best-selling author, Priscilla Dunstan, creator of the Dunstan Baby Language; Patricia Rossi, host of NBC’s Manners Minute; Dr. Letitia S. Wright, D.C., host of the Wright Place™ TV Show; Catherine Witcher, M.Ed., special needs expert and founder of Precision Education, Inc.; and Tara Paterson, Certified Parent Coach, syndicated columnist and founder of the Mom’s Choice Awards®.

For more information and to view a complete list of award winners, please visit www.MomsChoiceAwards.com.

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10 YEARS OF RELAY FOR LIFE IN ALEX'S MEMORY

Find and support an American Cancer Society event in your area. Relay For Life® is the American Cancer Society's signature event that brings more than 3.5 million people from 4,900 communities across the country together each year to celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against a disease that takes too much.

This year marks the tenth anniversary of the West Bloomfield, Michigan Relay For Life®. As detailed in the book When One Door Closes the West Bloomfield relay event was started in memory of Alex Graham. Since our humble beginnings in 1999 we have raised over a million dollars to be used for education, advocacy, research and various services. Although Alex lost her battle with cancer, her story and the stories of thousands who courageously take on the fight, are a constant source of inspiration and purpose.

Join people around the world in celebrating those who have survived cancer, remembering those that have been lost to the disease, and supporting the lifesaving mission of the American Cancer Society. Contact your local ACS office and support a Relay For Life® in your area.

CLICK HERE to make a donation to the Relay For Life® in memory of Alex.

CLICK HERE to find out more about the American Cancer Society and to find a Relay For Life® event in your community.

Thank you for supporting the American Cancer Society and helping to make the world a better place.

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WDET AND FOX TV2 INTERVIEW SUSIE AND BILL GRAHAM

Media interest in the new book When One Door Closes continues to grow. The authors Susie and Bill Graham were recently invited to talk about their book on the long running and popular WDET Detroit Today radio program hosted by Craig Fahle and on Fox 2 News with Lila Lazarus. Craig Fahle describes the book as "a fascinating and beautiful read." Lila Lazarus points out that, "We will all face tragedy at some point in our lives, but it’s how we face it that makes a difference. The Graham family learned that from their daughter Alex."

To listen to the October 7, 2008 WDET interview CLICK HERE. The Detroit Today interview begins at approximately 1:30 of the hour and 48 minute MP3 recording.

To watch the FOX 2 News October 14 interview with Lila Lazarus CLICK HERE.

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Calendar of Events  

	JULY 2011
23	Komen Race for the Cure		Manchester, VT
28	Make-A-Wish Wish-A-Mile 300		Traverse City, MI
31	Heroes Hurrah!		Chelsea, MI
	AUGUST 2011
20	ACS Relay for Life		San Diego, CA
	SEPTEMBER 2011
	Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
	Leukemia & Lymphoma Awareness Month
	Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
17	Walk for Wishes		Frederik Meijer Gardens
24	Family Health and Fitness Day
	OCTOBER 2011
	Breast Cancer Awareness Month
3	Child Health Day
16	34th Annual Detroit Free Press Marathon		Detroit, MI
	NOVEMBER 2011
	Lung Cancer Awareness Month
	Stomach Cancer Awareness Month
6	Komen Race for the Cure		San Diego, CA
17	Great American Smoke-Out