The formal release of the Stand with Cathy book will take place this Sunday, February 5, 2012, at West Houston Chinese Church.

Yes, the book is already available online here; but Sunday will be the formal kickoff, where you’ll be able to buy a copy from Cathy and me in person for only $5.00. (Larger donations are, of course, welcome.) For this first batch of books sold at WHCC, the full $5.00 will be donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. (If you want to pay by check, this is the organization to which you should make the check payable.)

Cathy and I will speak briefly at the 11:15 a.m. service, after which we will have a table set up to sell copies of the book.

The church is located at 10638 Hammerly Blvd, Houston, TX 77043. Here’s a map:

Below is the first review to be written about the book. It’s by . . . me. I include some genuine quotes by friends and family members. If you enjoy the book, please log in at Lulu.com and rate it (five stars, please!) and, if you have time, write a short review.

Only with my tongue firmly in my cheek can I write a review of my own book. (I always thought “tongue in cheek” was a strange idiom.) Of course I think it’s great.

What I really hope is that this book will become more than a small, token gesture of support for the war against breast cancer. I hope that readers will be able to relate to this story, will find encouragement and inspiration in it, and will share it with their friends and family. And I hope that as a result, the money raised by the sales of this book will be enough to make a significant impact on the progress of breast cancer research.

Maybe I’m just a dreamer. But those are my hopes.

Having said that, here are some things that people — admittedly all family and friends — have said about the book:

“A beautiful story and well-told.” -a family member

“I finally made time to sit down and read Stand with Cathy. You did such a great job! I can honestly say that it made me both laugh and cry. I’m so glad that you guys are out of the storm, and I pray that you never have to endure such fear, pain, frustration, and stress again. Life is indeed a team sport.” -a family member

“Received and read your book through in one sitting. I really enjoyed it. I had forgotten how much I miss your way of saying things. Thank you for sharing your story with the world.” -a colleague

“Thanks for the book Stand with Cathy. I finished reading it. It’s very touching and at the same time inspiring.” -a professor

“I just finished reading your book! Excellent job!” -a professor

“You misquoted me! I told [Marcus] that he should take a writing class, not a running class. Now everyone that reads your book will think Craig isn’t funny at all.” –’Craig’ (one of the people in the book — you’ll have to buy it and read it to understand!)