Christine Clifford Beckwith co-wrote my favorite business book thus far of 2007 You, Inc. The Art Of Selling Yourself (with Harry Beckwith). She is the former executive vice president for SPAR Marketing Services, a rainwoman (or as she states a leading producer), but most impressive of all, she leads The Cancer Club, the world’s largest provider of humorous and helpful products for people with cancer.
Humor? Cancer? My first reaction was “that’s bizarre” but having hung out with many cancer survivors (I help organize my local Terry Fox Run benefiting cancer research), I hear time and time again that attitude makes a difference.
I had to ask Christine how she got the idea for the Cancer Club and what the initial reactions were.
Here’s her reply…
“ The Cancer Club developed out of a situation I faced immediately after being diagnosed. Friends/family/associates who heard I had cancer didn't know what to say, and they didn't want to say the "wrong thing". So often, they would end up saying nothing, which causes the cancer patient to feel even more isolated and alone. I found if I could use humor to break the tension and put people at ease, that they immediately responded to that and percieved me to have a positive attitude myself. People want to support others who have a positive attitude.
Humor is a great connector of people. I was used to being extremely independent, and self-sufficient. But when I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 40, I knew I didn't want to face it alone. I wanted other people in my life.
There definitely was some resistance from publishers, bookstores, distributors initially when they heard the words "humor and cancer" in the same breath. But quickly my cartoons illustrated that I was poking fun at myself, not at the disease. And soon everyone was embracing them. We all know someone who has gone through this experience. And it certainly feels better to laugh than to cry.”
The first newsletter for The Cancer Club is coming out within the next 4-6 weeks. If you’re dealing with the big C or you know someone who is (I unfortunately know half a dozen people who are), please sign up at http://www.cancerclub.com