Mom's Cancer

An honest, unflinching, and sometimes humorous look at the practical and emotional effect that serious illness can have on patients and their families, Mom’s Cancer is a story of hope—uniquely told in words and illustrations.

"This grave and courageous account reaches beyond one individual and one family to become a support story for others living with cancer, and a real classic." (Library Journal)

Each year, approximately 1.5 million people in the United States and Canada are diagnosed with cancer. This is one family’s story.

Brian Fies is a freelance journalist whose mother was diagnosed with lung cancer. As he and his two sisters struggled with the effects of her illness and her ongoing recovery from treatment, Brian processed the experience in his journal, which took the form of words and pictures.

The story that came to be known as “Mom’s Cancer” first gained notice on the internet. It was posted anonymously, with the intention of sharing information and insights gained from Brian's family’s experience, and it won the comics industry's Eisner Award for Best Digital Comic, the Harvey Award.

As Brian notes: I'm very gratified by the reviews and recognition the book has received, and happy that my family's story is being used by medical professionals and reaching people I wouldn't have thought possible when I began writing it.