Cancer is the No. 1 killer in America today, touching nearly every family.

But few have the perspective on the battle cancer wages that Debra Jarvis does. For years, she worked as a chaplain in an oncology care center. She saw it all.

But her world and her point of view changed forever when her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Then, just five days later, she received the same devastating diagnosis.

After the initial shock wore off, her years of experience came into play. She thought back to all the patients she’d worked with. She remembered all the damage done by fear of the unknown.

But Debra knew what to expect. She knew that the people who impressed her most through their treatments were the ones who faced their situation with a sense of humor. Even though she’s an ordained minister, she is not overly religious. But she remembered a clear benefit to a strong spirituality. She understood that she was going through a life-altering experience and that it was critical to find meaning in it.

She had read some of the many books on breast cancer and realized she had a unique opportunity to encourage people in an entirely new way. That’s when she wrote, “It’s Not About The Hair: And Other Certainties of Life and Cancer.”