Cancer and all the other shit

By Mākaro Press

video

PledgeMe.Project

Design,



NZ $2,843 pledged


102 people pledged


Closed


NZ $1,800 minimum target


100 100% Complete

This campaign was successful and closed on 20/09/2015 at 12:00 AM.

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About

Cancer And All The Other Shit

Project 2015-08-24 00:18:53 +1200

Hi, I’m a cancer kid. I go by the name of Lauren Wepa. It was February 2013 when cancer became part of my life. I was 20 years old  – two months from hitting the big two-one – and it ruined everything. Cancer really is a bitch like that. When it drops by, everything stops for it. Not only does it attack the body, but it has the power to isolate people as well. 

     

Talking about cancer is tough and will test you. However talking is one of the small things that helps us feel normal – whatever that is. Just like a balloon, all it takes is one breath to begin to fill the awkward silence. I have written and designed a book that is a permission slip from a cancer patient to family and friends to talk. We all know cancer's a bitch, so why not bitch about it? 

Cancer and all the other shit is a book for people who know someone with cancer. It is written and designed and all set to go to the printer. And now I need your help. My publishers need your pledges to help pay for a good-sized print run to ensure everyone who really needs and wants this book gets a copy (and there are a number already!) That's my dream. 

The publishers are Mākaro Press, Wellington, the people behind the award-winning The Book of Hat by Harriet Rowland. The wonderful CanTeen provided the seed funding to kick the project off. Mākaro Press and CanTeen have been working with me since the start of the year to get the book ready for publication, and we're excited it's nearly there.

 

I also have a rugby field of people who've supported me and my book since I first started working on it as part of my design degree at Massey. You can read about that journey here. It's changed a bit since then, but the vision I had is still intact. The book is being launched as part of the opening season of The Quiet Room by Renee Liang at Bats Theatre, Wellington – a play about a young woman with cancer. 

ISBN 978-0-9941172-7-4

published by Mākaro Press
52pp, full-colour paperback, 145 x 205mm 
$20 in bookshops and online (after the launch)

[email protected] 
www.makaropress.co.nz 
Release: 26 September

IF YOU CAN'T COMMIT THROUGH PLEDGEME THEN WHY NOT BUY A PRE-LAUNCH COPY ON THE MĀKARO WEBSITE? MUCH APPRECIATED. WWW.MAKAROPRESS.CO.NZ

 

Comments

Updates 9

You need to pledge to see this update.

One hundred and two pledgers and we've done it!!!

20/09/2015 at 10:20 AM

Oh frabjous day calloo callay!!! $2,843 raised towards the printing of Lauren's book. Thank you to Lauren's family and friends and supporters – those who know Lauren, know her through our press, or who have just happened upon our PledgeMe campaign and decided to give her their support. THANK YOU!!!! We have big orders coming in from oncology nurses already on top of all the individual orders we've had through pledges and online sales. Your pledges have helped Cancer and all the other shit get out there to be read and shared. Just brilliant. You're our heroes. Mary and Paul and Lauren. p.s. and thanks for all the supportive messages! See those of you who can be there at the launch next Saturday 26 September, 6 pm, at BATS Theatre, Wellington. 

Two days to go!

18/09/2015 at 6:50 AM

Hard to believe, but it's only two days until our PledgeMe campaign closes, and we are well over our goal with 95 separate pledges! Lauren has the books in her hands, and we have a pile of books in the office waiting to go out to you all, and the books at the warehouse in Auckland are starting to make their way to bookshops around the country. We have to until a couple of days after the campaign closes to get the pledge details and addresses – and then we have to hang fire again until Lauren gets to town and she can start signing books and balloons. After that they can all wing their way to you or wait to be picked up at the launch. If you are in a bookshop and don't find Lauren's book on display, ask if they've thought of ordering it in – say how fab it is – and encourage your friends and family to do the same. All the information is up on the internet for them to find. Let's get this book out there!! Mary and Paul, Mākaro Press

91 pledgers, $700 over our goal, 4 days to go.

15/09/2015 at 10:24 PM

We are blown away. Ninety-one pledgers! Thank you all for coming, for giving so generously, for believing in us, and for leaving such wonderful messages. Un-be-liev-able. THANK YOU. 

They've arrived!

13/09/2015 at 8:23 AM

Cancer and all the other shit arrives
 
Hi team, its Lauren here! BREAKING NEWS: we’ve received the books from the printer! I have’t seen them yet but Mary my publisher tells me that there are a couple on their way up to me in Auckland. To be honest I’m a little nervous as I don’t want to disappoint you or all those cancer patients out there that this is for.
 
Keep an eye out on my Facebook and instagram (laurenwepa) for visual updates -- when the book gets to me, I'll give you some inside peeks. #SneakPeek. 
 
We won't be able to send your books and balloons and posters out until the weekend of the launch, but you'll get them before the end of the month! 
 
So since we’ve reached the target I’ve been working on supporting graphics for the publicity and launch details ... a launch that's happening all thanks to your generosity and support. I might even see you there. Sept 26 and 6 pm, BATS Theatre, Wellington. cheers, Lauren. 
 

We're still TRENDING

09/09/2015 at 5:39 PM

The generosity of all you wonderful people is unbelievable. 'Thank you' doesn't cut it. THANK YOU A MILLION GAZILLION BAZILLION TIMES OVER does. We have gone more than $400 over the amount we were campaigning for, which is incredible.

Completing the campaign and raising $1800 meant we could press the print button on 300 books in time for the launch on 26 September – they are on their way to us now! yeeha! – and when we've sent them to our fabulous pledgers and off to the bookshops and sold them at the launch, we can now print more straight away without having to wait for the proceeds from the first sales to filter through (this can take four months). This is more than we'd hoped for. 

In short, this wonderful no-holds-barred book about talking to people with cancer will get to the people who need it and want it. It could change lives.

THANK YOU, GAZILLIONLY!! And here's an invitation to the launch. 

Lauren, Mary and Paul. 

 

 

We've done it!!!!!

04/09/2015 at 11:31 AM

Yusss!!! Awesome work everyone. We've made it with 16 days to go. THANK YOU to all our fantastic pledgers and to PLedgeMe for this wonderful platform. Keep telling people about our campaign, won't you? We can always use any extra raised to get this book out with a SPLASH. Yahoo!! Lauren (ecstatic author) and Mary and Paul (very happy publishers) 

Thanks for your support and here's a poster

02/09/2015 at 3:18 PM

Hi Lauren here! Thank you SO MUCH everyone for all your messages of support – it's nerve-wracking putting out a book, and now it's so much easier knowing you're all behind me. Here's one of the posters I've designed. There are still a few left as rewards, and a lot of books and balloons! So PLEASE pass the word on via Twitter and Facebook. Here's a bit.ly you can use: LAUREN

 

Over a third of the way there

31/08/2015 at 8:10 PM

We're crazily delighted that we're over a third of the way to our goal, and grateful for the incredible generosity of all our pledgers, as well as the encouraging comments. Your confidence in us is a huge boost after months working on this book, and seeing the pledges come in is really exciting. Thank you! And please send the PledgeMe link to everyone you know who might be interested in helping us reach our goal. cheers Lauren W, and Mary and Paul of Mākaro Press. 

    Pledgers 102

    Graham Allen
    19/09/2015 at 9:59pm
    Tirita Olsen
    19/09/2015 at 7:37pm
    Jared Wepa
    19/09/2015 at 6:37pm
    Laureen Allen
    19/09/2015 at 5:36pm
    Hazel Airey
    19/09/2015 at 2:03pm

    "This book sounds awesome, something that is greatly needed. My bff died from cancer last year and people just couldn't handle the sitch."

    Anne Hunter
    19/09/2015 at 1:36pm

    "Great work Lauren, you are such an inspiration to all"

    Leanne Todd
    18/09/2015 at 7:25pm

    "Love & support for this awesome achievement! Can't wait to read xx Toddy4"

    Martin and Colleen Wepa
    17/09/2015 at 9:25pm

    "Hi Lauren, this is Uncle Matthew's birthday pressie this month. I'm sure he will appreciate the work you have put in. :-)"

    Queenie Timu Saleupolu
    17/09/2015 at 5:35pm

    "This Is awesome :) can't wait "

    June Podmore
    17/09/2015 at 2:57pm

    "Well done Lauren"

    Sarah Champion
    15/09/2015 at 10:13pm
    Martin and Colleen Wepa
    15/09/2015 at 8:38pm

    "This pledge is on behalf Uru Clark my work mate. From one cancer survivor to another. well done Lauren, arohanui"

    Ana Phillips
    15/09/2015 at 7:23pm
    Martin and Colleen Wepa
    15/09/2015 at 7:16pm

    "This pledge is on behalf of Jill Wallis. What a wonderful achievement for someone so young!"

    Amiria
    15/09/2015 at 6:05pm
    Martin and Colleen Wepa
    14/09/2015 at 5:36pm

    "Hi Lauren this pledge is on behalf Paula and Izzy from my work. They send their love sorry they can't make it to the book launch. Dad is tho"

    Kyle
    13/09/2015 at 5:09pm

    "Well done and congratulations on your book Lauren :) Pledge also on behalf of Colleen Thompson"

    Michael Geddes
    12/09/2015 at 7:30pm
    Martin and Colleen Wepa
    11/09/2015 at 6:21pm

    "Hi there. this pledge is on behalf of 2 of my workmates, Emerson Rewi and Linda Tawhai-Mullens. Well done Lauren. You rock :-)"

    Jonelle McIsaac
    11/09/2015 at 12:55pm
    Martin and Colleen Wepa
    10/09/2015 at 4:29pm

    "This pledge is on behalf of Auntie Hiria and Uncle Reg. Well done Lauren. Best of luck with the book launch xo."

    Martin and Colleen Wepa
    10/09/2015 at 4:27pm

    "This pledge is on behalf of Uncle Rob and Auntie Angela. Good on you Lauren, you clever girl :-)"

    Janine McVeagh
    10/09/2015 at 2:02pm
    Alvin Warmerdam
    09/09/2015 at 10:10pm
    Margaret Alve
    09/09/2015 at 11:42am

    "well done Lauren, a dream has become a reality. congratulations on finishing your degree. "

    Tracey Vincent
    09/09/2015 at 10:56am

    "Looking forward to reading this :) "

    Bron Thomson
    08/09/2015 at 9:16am
    Kate Beale
    07/09/2015 at 8:48am
    Donna Parker
    07/09/2015 at 6:44am

    "A wonderful idea from a very talented lady"

    Kerry Thornton
    06/09/2015 at 1:24pm

    "What a great idea. We are taught many things in school but often not to communicate about the nitty gritty of life. "

    Followers 1

    Followers of Cancer and all the other shit

    Cancer And All The Other Shit

    Project 2015-08-24 00:18:53 +1200

    Hi, I’m a cancer kid. I go by the name of Lauren Wepa. It was February 2013 when cancer became part of my life. I was 20 years old  – two months from hitting the big two-one – and it ruined everything. Cancer really is a bitch like that. When it drops by, everything stops for it. Not only does it attack the body, but it has the power to isolate people as well. 

         

    Talking about cancer is tough and will test you. However talking is one of the small things that helps us feel normal – whatever that is. Just like a balloon, all it takes is one breath to begin to fill the awkward silence. I have written and designed a book that is a permission slip from a cancer patient to family and friends to talk. We all know cancer's a bitch, so why not bitch about it? 

    Cancer and all the other shit is a book for people who know someone with cancer. It is written and designed and all set to go to the printer. And now I need your help. My publishers need your pledges to help pay for a good-sized print run to ensure everyone who really needs and wants this book gets a copy (and there are a number already!) That's my dream. 

    The publishers are Mākaro Press, Wellington, the people behind the award-winning The Book of Hat by Harriet Rowland. The wonderful CanTeen provided the seed funding to kick the project off. Mākaro Press and CanTeen have been working with me since the start of the year to get the book ready for publication, and we're excited it's nearly there.

     

    I also have a rugby field of people who've supported me and my book since I first started working on it as part of my design degree at Massey. You can read about that journey here. It's changed a bit since then, but the vision I had is still intact. The book is being launched as part of the opening season of The Quiet Room by Renee Liang at Bats Theatre, Wellington – a play about a young woman with cancer. 

    ISBN 978-0-9941172-7-4

    published by Mākaro Press
    52pp, full-colour paperback, 145 x 205mm 
    $20 in bookshops and online (after the launch)

    [email protected] 
    www.makaropress.co.nz 
    Release: 26 September

    IF YOU CAN'T COMMIT THROUGH PLEDGEME THEN WHY NOT BUY A PRE-LAUNCH COPY ON THE MĀKARO WEBSITE? MUCH APPRECIATED. WWW.MAKAROPRESS.CO.NZ

     

    Comments

    You need to pledge to see this update.

    One hundred and two pledgers and we've done it!!!

    20/09/2015 at 10:20 AM

    Oh frabjous day calloo callay!!! $2,843 raised towards the printing of Lauren's book. Thank you to Lauren's family and friends and supporters – those who know Lauren, know her through our press, or who have just happened upon our PledgeMe campaign and decided to give her their support. THANK YOU!!!! We have big orders coming in from oncology nurses already on top of all the individual orders we've had through pledges and online sales. Your pledges have helped Cancer and all the other shit get out there to be read and shared. Just brilliant. You're our heroes. Mary and Paul and Lauren. p.s. and thanks for all the supportive messages! See those of you who can be there at the launch next Saturday 26 September, 6 pm, at BATS Theatre, Wellington. 

    Two days to go!

    18/09/2015 at 6:50 AM

    Hard to believe, but it's only two days until our PledgeMe campaign closes, and we are well over our goal with 95 separate pledges! Lauren has the books in her hands, and we have a pile of books in the office waiting to go out to you all, and the books at the warehouse in Auckland are starting to make their way to bookshops around the country. We have to until a couple of days after the campaign closes to get the pledge details and addresses – and then we have to hang fire again until Lauren gets to town and she can start signing books and balloons. After that they can all wing their way to you or wait to be picked up at the launch. If you are in a bookshop and don't find Lauren's book on display, ask if they've thought of ordering it in – say how fab it is – and encourage your friends and family to do the same. All the information is up on the internet for them to find. Let's get this book out there!! Mary and Paul, Mākaro Press

    91 pledgers, $700 over our goal, 4 days to go.

    15/09/2015 at 10:24 PM

    We are blown away. Ninety-one pledgers! Thank you all for coming, for giving so generously, for believing in us, and for leaving such wonderful messages. Un-be-liev-able. THANK YOU. 

    They've arrived!

    13/09/2015 at 8:23 AM

    Cancer and all the other shit arrives
     
    Hi team, its Lauren here! BREAKING NEWS: we’ve received the books from the printer! I have’t seen them yet but Mary my publisher tells me that there are a couple on their way up to me in Auckland. To be honest I’m a little nervous as I don’t want to disappoint you or all those cancer patients out there that this is for.
     
    Keep an eye out on my Facebook and instagram (laurenwepa) for visual updates -- when the book gets to me, I'll give you some inside peeks. #SneakPeek. 
     
    We won't be able to send your books and balloons and posters out until the weekend of the launch, but you'll get them before the end of the month! 
     
    So since we’ve reached the target I’ve been working on supporting graphics for the publicity and launch details ... a launch that's happening all thanks to your generosity and support. I might even see you there. Sept 26 and 6 pm, BATS Theatre, Wellington. cheers, Lauren. 
     

    We're still TRENDING

    09/09/2015 at 5:39 PM

    The generosity of all you wonderful people is unbelievable. 'Thank you' doesn't cut it. THANK YOU A MILLION GAZILLION BAZILLION TIMES OVER does. We have gone more than $400 over the amount we were campaigning for, which is incredible.

    Completing the campaign and raising $1800 meant we could press the print button on 300 books in time for the launch on 26 September – they are on their way to us now! yeeha! – and when we've sent them to our fabulous pledgers and off to the bookshops and sold them at the launch, we can now print more straight away without having to wait for the proceeds from the first sales to filter through (this can take four months). This is more than we'd hoped for. 

    In short, this wonderful no-holds-barred book about talking to people with cancer will get to the people who need it and want it. It could change lives.

    THANK YOU, GAZILLIONLY!! And here's an invitation to the launch. 

    Lauren, Mary and Paul. 

     

     

    We've done it!!!!!

    04/09/2015 at 11:31 AM

    Yusss!!! Awesome work everyone. We've made it with 16 days to go. THANK YOU to all our fantastic pledgers and to PLedgeMe for this wonderful platform. Keep telling people about our campaign, won't you? We can always use any extra raised to get this book out with a SPLASH. Yahoo!! Lauren (ecstatic author) and Mary and Paul (very happy publishers) 

    Thanks for your support and here's a poster

    02/09/2015 at 3:18 PM

    Hi Lauren here! Thank you SO MUCH everyone for all your messages of support – it's nerve-wracking putting out a book, and now it's so much easier knowing you're all behind me. Here's one of the posters I've designed. There are still a few left as rewards, and a lot of books and balloons! So PLEASE pass the word on via Twitter and Facebook. Here's a bit.ly you can use: LAUREN

     

    Over a third of the way there

    31/08/2015 at 8:10 PM

    We're crazily delighted that we're over a third of the way to our goal, and grateful for the incredible generosity of all our pledgers, as well as the encouraging comments. Your confidence in us is a huge boost after months working on this book, and seeing the pledges come in is really exciting. Thank you! And please send the PledgeMe link to everyone you know who might be interested in helping us reach our goal. cheers Lauren W, and Mary and Paul of Mākaro Press. 

      Graham Allen
      19/09/2015 at 9:59pm
      Tirita Olsen
      19/09/2015 at 7:37pm
      Jared Wepa
      19/09/2015 at 6:37pm
      Laureen Allen
      19/09/2015 at 5:36pm
      Hazel Airey
      19/09/2015 at 2:03pm

      "This book sounds awesome, something that is greatly needed. My bff died from cancer last year and people just couldn't handle the sitch."

      Anne Hunter
      19/09/2015 at 1:36pm

      "Great work Lauren, you are such an inspiration to all"

      Leanne Todd
      18/09/2015 at 7:25pm

      "Love & support for this awesome achievement! Can't wait to read xx Toddy4"

      Martin and Colleen Wepa
      17/09/2015 at 9:25pm

      "Hi Lauren, this is Uncle Matthew's birthday pressie this month. I'm sure he will appreciate the work you have put in. :-)"

      Queenie Timu Saleupolu
      17/09/2015 at 5:35pm

      "This Is awesome :) can't wait "

      June Podmore
      17/09/2015 at 2:57pm

      "Well done Lauren"

      Sarah Champion
      15/09/2015 at 10:13pm
      Martin and Colleen Wepa
      15/09/2015 at 8:38pm

      "This pledge is on behalf Uru Clark my work mate. From one cancer survivor to another. well done Lauren, arohanui"

      Ana Phillips
      15/09/2015 at 7:23pm
      Martin and Colleen Wepa
      15/09/2015 at 7:16pm

      "This pledge is on behalf of Jill Wallis. What a wonderful achievement for someone so young!"

      Amiria
      15/09/2015 at 6:05pm
      Martin and Colleen Wepa
      14/09/2015 at 5:36pm

      "Hi Lauren this pledge is on behalf Paula and Izzy from my work. They send their love sorry they can't make it to the book launch. Dad is tho"

      Kyle
      13/09/2015 at 5:09pm

      "Well done and congratulations on your book Lauren :) Pledge also on behalf of Colleen Thompson"

      Michael Geddes
      12/09/2015 at 7:30pm
      Martin and Colleen Wepa
      11/09/2015 at 6:21pm

      "Hi there. this pledge is on behalf of 2 of my workmates, Emerson Rewi and Linda Tawhai-Mullens. Well done Lauren. You rock :-)"

      Jonelle McIsaac
      11/09/2015 at 12:55pm
      Martin and Colleen Wepa
      10/09/2015 at 4:29pm

      "This pledge is on behalf of Auntie Hiria and Uncle Reg. Well done Lauren. Best of luck with the book launch xo."

      Martin and Colleen Wepa
      10/09/2015 at 4:27pm

      "This pledge is on behalf of Uncle Rob and Auntie Angela. Good on you Lauren, you clever girl :-)"

      Janine McVeagh
      10/09/2015 at 2:02pm
      Alvin Warmerdam
      09/09/2015 at 10:10pm
      Margaret Alve
      09/09/2015 at 11:42am

      "well done Lauren, a dream has become a reality. congratulations on finishing your degree. "

      Tracey Vincent
      09/09/2015 at 10:56am

      "Looking forward to reading this :) "

      Bron Thomson
      08/09/2015 at 9:16am
      Kate Beale
      07/09/2015 at 8:48am
      Donna Parker
      07/09/2015 at 6:44am

      "A wonderful idea from a very talented lady"

      Kerry Thornton
      06/09/2015 at 1:24pm

      "What a great idea. We are taught many things in school but often not to communicate about the nitty gritty of life. "

      Followers of Cancer and all the other shit

      This campaign was successful and got its funding on 20/09/2015 at 12:00 AM.