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

    Tasmin Kirkley
    06/09/2015 at 2:06am
    Ngaire Dittmer
    05/09/2015 at 5:55pm
    Anonymous pledger
    05/09/2015 at 4:43pm

    "We wish you every success, such a brave young lady."

    Mark Howard
    05/09/2015 at 2:52pm
    Amy Berthelsen
    04/09/2015 at 11:57pm

    "Congratulations on your book Lauren. I'm so happy for you. "

    Jacqui Willis
    04/09/2015 at 10:16pm

    "Awesome Lauren!! Thank you for sharing your journey :)"

    Mary van der Sluis
    04/09/2015 at 8:12pm

    "Immensely proud of my niece in getting her book published. One amazing lady who always thinks of helping others. Love Aunty Mary x"

    Josh Trewin
    04/09/2015 at 2:14pm
    Anonymous pledger
    04/09/2015 at 11:51am
    Ben
    04/09/2015 at 11:07am
    michael
    04/09/2015 at 9:06am

    "So awesome."

    Emma Turner
    04/09/2015 at 8:53am

    "Amazing work Lauren so proud of you! Give it some love everyone!"

    Daphne Witoko
    04/09/2015 at 8:30am
    Alan
    03/09/2015 at 10:29pm

    "Well done Lauren, you should be proud that this book will really help many people"

    Ami Rogers
    03/09/2015 at 9:57pm
    Anonymous pledger
    03/09/2015 at 9:19pm

    "Lauren is a freakin genius for writing this book, I hope it really succeeds worldwide!!"

    Delattre
    03/09/2015 at 9:05pm
    Raiatea Barlow Kameta
    03/09/2015 at 9:03pm

    "Heres to breaking down the taboo on Cancer! "

    Libby Muir
    03/09/2015 at 8:17pm
    Sam McCafferty
    03/09/2015 at 8:11pm

    "A moving project from a brilliant young designer. Your story inspires, Lauren. "

    Tayla Sloane
    03/09/2015 at 8:06pm
    Simon O'Connor
    03/09/2015 at 8:06pm
    Nicole Stevenson
    03/09/2015 at 8:05pm

    "Lauren you are an incredible person who I look up to so much. Congratulations on your fantastic achievement thanks for being a great friend "

    Jadon McConnell
    03/09/2015 at 7:57pm

    "Amazing stuff Lauren! This project deserves all the support it can get. Looking forward to getting a hard copy of my own! "

    andy mccallum
    03/09/2015 at 7:09pm
    Eugene Moore
    03/09/2015 at 3:57pm
    Martin and Colleen Wepa
    03/09/2015 at 2:23pm

    "This pledge is on behalf of Ann Wepa - Good on you Lauren, so proud of my niece for writing this book."

    Mary Louise O'Dowd
    03/09/2015 at 2:03pm
    Carina Ferguson
    03/09/2015 at 1:52pm

    "You can give my balloon to a little kid at the book launch (perhaps you could blow it up for them too?) :)"

    Sara Black
    03/09/2015 at 1:17pm

    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. 

      Tasmin Kirkley
      06/09/2015 at 2:06am
      Ngaire Dittmer
      05/09/2015 at 5:55pm
      Anonymous pledger
      05/09/2015 at 4:43pm

      "We wish you every success, such a brave young lady."

      Mark Howard
      05/09/2015 at 2:52pm
      Amy Berthelsen
      04/09/2015 at 11:57pm

      "Congratulations on your book Lauren. I'm so happy for you. "

      Jacqui Willis
      04/09/2015 at 10:16pm

      "Awesome Lauren!! Thank you for sharing your journey :)"

      Mary van der Sluis
      04/09/2015 at 8:12pm

      "Immensely proud of my niece in getting her book published. One amazing lady who always thinks of helping others. Love Aunty Mary x"

      Josh Trewin
      04/09/2015 at 2:14pm
      Anonymous pledger
      04/09/2015 at 11:51am
      Ben
      04/09/2015 at 11:07am
      michael
      04/09/2015 at 9:06am

      "So awesome."

      Emma Turner
      04/09/2015 at 8:53am

      "Amazing work Lauren so proud of you! Give it some love everyone!"

      Daphne Witoko
      04/09/2015 at 8:30am
      Alan
      03/09/2015 at 10:29pm

      "Well done Lauren, you should be proud that this book will really help many people"

      Ami Rogers
      03/09/2015 at 9:57pm
      Anonymous pledger
      03/09/2015 at 9:19pm

      "Lauren is a freakin genius for writing this book, I hope it really succeeds worldwide!!"

      Delattre
      03/09/2015 at 9:05pm
      Raiatea Barlow Kameta
      03/09/2015 at 9:03pm

      "Heres to breaking down the taboo on Cancer! "

      Libby Muir
      03/09/2015 at 8:17pm
      Sam McCafferty
      03/09/2015 at 8:11pm

      "A moving project from a brilliant young designer. Your story inspires, Lauren. "

      Tayla Sloane
      03/09/2015 at 8:06pm
      Simon O'Connor
      03/09/2015 at 8:06pm
      Nicole Stevenson
      03/09/2015 at 8:05pm

      "Lauren you are an incredible person who I look up to so much. Congratulations on your fantastic achievement thanks for being a great friend "

      Jadon McConnell
      03/09/2015 at 7:57pm

      "Amazing stuff Lauren! This project deserves all the support it can get. Looking forward to getting a hard copy of my own! "

      andy mccallum
      03/09/2015 at 7:09pm
      Eugene Moore
      03/09/2015 at 3:57pm
      Martin and Colleen Wepa
      03/09/2015 at 2:23pm

      "This pledge is on behalf of Ann Wepa - Good on you Lauren, so proud of my niece for writing this book."

      Mary Louise O'Dowd
      03/09/2015 at 2:03pm
      Carina Ferguson
      03/09/2015 at 1:52pm

      "You can give my balloon to a little kid at the book launch (perhaps you could blow it up for them too?) :)"

      Sara Black
      03/09/2015 at 1:17pm

      Followers of Cancer and all the other shit

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