I am Winchester on Alligators.
(That’s an old Army expression for running out of ammunition during a gunfight. In this case, the ammunition is my book. The fight is the patients who need a message of hope.)
I am about to ask you for help. Please read on.
Three weeks ago I delivered 20 copies of Alligator Wrestling in the Cancer Ward to the Ascension Via Christi St. Francis Cancer Unit in Wichita. This is an out-patient radiology/oncology unit serving patients from rural areas. Patients drive in for a day, receive a few hours of cancer treatment, and return home the same night.
Customarily, these people do not require overnight care. Many of these cases, depending on their situation, will return several weeks in a row for life-saving treatments.
Unlike the Cancer Institute in the hospital next door (where I spent my summer two years ago) the Cancer Unit does not lend itself to visitation rounds.
Cancer is discouraging, oppressive, tedious, nauseous and worse. Like a schoolyard bully, ignore it, and it will beat you up.
It may beat you up anyway.
One ray of light we can shine into this darkness is a story of survival, determination and faith.
The message of Alligator Wrestling in the Cancer Ward is how to remain on top of the circumstances of life, rather than being rolled underneath.
To that end, I reached out to the director of the Cancer Unit and discussed providing complimentary copies of Alligator Wrestling for patients and their families. The staff distributed the 20 copies at 5 different locations throughout the facility: Front desk, nurses’ stations, family rooms. I provided folding wire display racks and printed “Free Take One” cards for each.
In three weeks, 15 copies have been accepted. Our hope and prayer is that optimism is encouraged and that the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ, so clearly portrayed in the pages, takes root. I also hope they pass the book along to someone else who fights an uphill battle.
And now: I need more books.
Please help.
If you provide the materials, I will deliver them.
Handing out the books is great fun. I would like to say I feel really holy doing that, but mostly it’s just fun. There are a few moments that are awkward, some tender, some unavoidably depressing. But mostly fun.
And I am constantly aware of Jesus’ words: From those to whom much is give, much shall be required. I spent 3 months in a hospital bed and walked out under my own power. That’s a gift.
We will assess how this book distribution works going forward. At the current rate, the Cancer Unit hands out 5 books every week. I doubt that rate will decline, because there will always be a new cohort of patients seeking treatment.
In addition, I make rounds in the Cancer Institute at the hospital twice a month, providing complimentary copies of the book and leaving other copies available for families. That location takes 10 copies every month.
Between those two sites, at the current rate of consumption, I need to supply 30 copies every month.
The Ask
If you believe in this mission, visit alligatorpublishing.com/via-christi and click the Donate button. This will take you to the Via Christi Foundation page where you may select how many books you would like to provide.
Your gift to Via Christi Foundation is tax deductible.
CLICK HERE TO DONATE BOOKS
And yes, I will profit somewhat through your purchase of these books. For which I thank you.
Okay… what follows is a little awkward but I think it will help your decision.
Hundreds of people follow The Alligator Blog and many have contributed to the distribution of Alligator Wrestling in the Cancer Ward. Here are some of their comments:
You combined your bio with war history, scripture, humor, insight, drama….whewww, what more could a reader ask for! — G.B.
Everybody [in a hospital bed] needs this book! — S.B.
I laughed. I cried, and I gathered nuggets of wisdom I will carry with me. — N.C.
…this one-of-a-kind book that I could hardly put down… — S.M.
What I did not expect from a book about cancer from a guy with “chemo brain”—humor, wit, sarcasm, history buff stuff, a Holy Spirit filled and praying housekeeper… — G.K.
…I never thought I would have so much fun reading about someone's battle with Leukemia. — T.W.
Thanks for helping. Is this a business or is it a ministry? Well… yes.
Curt
CLICK HERE TO DONATE BOOKS
Have book, will travel