"As a parent with cancer who has always wanted to 'be there' for my children—especially when they were teens—I urge you to snap up a copy of Cancer Sucks, put a ribbon on it and give it to your teenager. The greatest gift we give children is not protection from the world, but the confidence and tools to cope and grow."
-Wendy S. Harpham, MD author of When a Parent has Cancer. A Guide to Caring for Your Children and Becky and the Worry Cup.
"My Parent has Cancer and It Really Sucks is indeed real-life advice from real-life teens with guidance from professionals. It is wisely crafted into a wonderfully warm, engaging and informative book that reads like a chat with a group of friends with helpful advice from the experts...It is also a valuable book for many parents of teenagers ... I highly recommend this book."
-Paula K. Rauch MD, Director, Marjorie E. Korff Parenting At a Challenging Time Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
"It’s about time! Finally, someone is writing for teens, and addressing their reactions to having an adult family member with cancer. This has been a perennially underserved population, so kudos to Marc and Maya for caring enough to listen to what the adolescents say about how they feel and what they need. This book is a “must have” for oncologists, cancer treatment centers and families with teenagers."
-Kathleen McCue, MA, LSW, CCLS, Director, Children's Program, The Gathering Place, Cleveland, Ohio
“My Parent Has Cancer and It Really Sucks” provides a much-needed toolkit for teens coping with a parent’s cancer. Despite the fact that there are over 1 million teens affected by a parent’s cancer, there are limited resources available for this under-served population. In this honest and heart-felt guide, Marc Silver and his daughter, Maya, present direct, no-nonsense and helpful advice that covers the unique challenges, concerns and emotions a teen whose parent has or has had cancer faces.”
-Jane Saccaro, CEO, Camp Kesem, a free summer camp for children and teens affected by a parent’s cancer
"This is a must read for parents, kids, teachers and medical staff who know anyone with cancer. It will open your eyes to what our kids are not saying to us but always thinking about. It is the reality of living in a household with cancer. You will learn something on every page."
-Anna Gottlieb, MPA, Founder and CEO, Gilda's Club Seattle
"Marc and Maya Silver have skillfully blended the voices of teens, parents and experts into a many-hued tapestry of adolescent struggle, angst and bravery in the face of their parents' cancer...This book is knowing, pragmatic, and attuned to the challenges of growing into one's self while having to attend to a parent's needs."
-Barry J. Jacobs, Psy.D., clinical psychologist and author of The Emotional Survival Guide for Caregivers--Looking After Yourself and Your Family While Helping an Aging Parent
“'My Parent has Cancer and it Really Sucks' is a valuable resource for teenagers and their families dealing with a cancer diagnosis. The book provides practical information from experts framed around the real life stories of teenagers. It provides the tools needed for parents and teenagers to become cancer survivors with the understanding that the journey may be very different for each person and family.”
-Seth Berkowitz, LCSW, CCLS, patient services manager, Southern Florida Chapter, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
"I loved the book! All the information was great and right on the spot!! I love that you talked to so many people, and it really did help! The book perfectly explained how I felt."
-Jackie Schmock, whose dad died of cancer and whose mom is a cancer survivor
My Parent Has Cancer and It Really Sucks 
Thank you so much for this! I’m a good friend of Mari’s. She is amazingly strong and I hope her legacy can give strength to those in difficult times. Without Nathan being there physically and emotionally, she never would have survived that first night. But instead, she had almost 2 and a half years filled with a love most don’t find for a lifetime.
This is a very difficult time for all of us. Stumbling across this blog has warmed my heart and I’m thankful Mari has touched those even outside her reach. Thank you.
Thanks for reaching out. I hadn’t heard that she passed away until I saw your comment. I’m so sorry to hear of your loss and we offer our condolences. Mari sounded like an incredible person. All the best, Maya and Marc