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Noblesville resident Kirk Forbes wrote “Love, Kristen” using his memories and a journal from his daughter Kristen’s 10-month battle with cancer. “Love, Kristen” is available at book stores, Amazon or online at www.kristeneve.org.
Book signing Saturday
Noblesville resident Kirk Forbes will be signing copies of his book, "Love, Kristen," from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 21 at Living Truth Book Store, 17665 Cumberland Road in Noblesville. Subtitled "One young woman's courageous battle against cancer," the book contains writings by his daughter Kristen who spent 10 months battling cancer as well as his memories and outlook.
The story recalls Kristen's life as one of faith, hope, tears, laughter and endless small miracles.
More information is available at www.kristeneve.org.
Kirk Forbes never knew his daughter kept a journal or was such a creative writer. It was after an 10-month battle with cervical cancer that eventually took her life that the writings were discovered among her belongings. Now Kristen Forbes' words have taken on a new life in the form of "Love, Kristen: One young woman's courageous battle against cancer," a book made out of her journals and poetry compiled and edited by her father.
The book, currently on sale through www.kristeneve.org, is an effort to raise awareness about cervical cancer and the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine as well as remembering the life of Kristen and how she touched, and continues to influence, friends and family. Kirk pointed out a special young man in her life, Jacob, the son of her best friend, whom Kristen loved like a son herself, was one strong reason for releasing the book.
"He should have something to remember her by," said Kirk. "It's been exciting; God's had his hand in this one."
The book has grown from a three-ring binder the family compiled with Kristen's writings for personal remembrance and is now reaching people around the world. Kirk said it was never the family's intention to write a book using Kristen's writings but have been pleased with the responses that have come in.
"This represents a big thank you to the community, family and friends," he said, adding putting the book together was good therapy for him dealing with the grief of the loss. "It fills my heart with joy knowing the book is helping others."
Kirk said 85 percent of the book is made up of Kristen's writings she had done since the age of 12; he assembled the collection, added context for those not familiar with the story as well as included chapters and information on the HPV vaccine. He said the book would be a dream come true for his daughter who always wanted to have her poetry published.
"It's well done," he said proudly. "People can relate to it."
Relating to Kristen and her story is a goal for Kirk in publishing the book. He said one of Kristen's oncologists said through the book, the Forbes have put a face to cervical cancer, something vital in raising awareness and recognition of prevention and eventually curing the disease that took Kristen's life.
"Everyone has a cancer story," Kirk said. "Everyone still wants hope. I hope that book offers that. Kristen fought until the last minute; she kept her sense of humor, kept her faith. I couldn't be prouder as a parent."
A tragic situation, true, but Forbes is looking forward and knows through Kristen, much good will come in the future.
Eventually plans call for a foundation in Kristen's name to be established raising awareness of the HPV vaccine in the hopes eventually no other family has to go through what the Forbes have.
On Saturday, Forbes will be at Living Truth Bookstore in Noblesville signing copies of the book, the second time he has done so. The first time he went in expecting to simply sign copies but ended up hearing those in attendance's own cancer stories.
"It was different. Everyone told me their story, it was very touching," he said.
Everyone has a cancer story, he reiterated, and through "Love, Kristen", his daughter's story is added to the collection.
"Kristen's story has become everyone else's story," he said. "It really touches everyone."
