Marianne McDonough is an author and journalist from Edina, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis. Her professional and personal interests have always been rooted in the creative arts, including, in addition to writing, music and dance. She holds a bachelor’s degree in history and secondary education and a Master of Arts in mass communication. In various capacities, Marianne has also served her community and churches on an ongoing basis, as reflected in her current role as executive director for Great Commission Artists (greatcommissionartists.com), a network of faith-based artists.
In 2012, Marianne received an invasive ductile carcinoma diagnosis. Healthy in all other respects, she says she felt powerless at first. “It was as if I was no longer in charge of my life, where I was going or for how long. I felt that all my autonomy was gone.” Post treatment and into survivorship, Marianne decided to write a book for newly diagnosed patients, because “that’s the hardest part” in her opinion. The book title, 8 Steps to Getting Real with Cancer: Empowering Newly-Diagnosed Patients and Those Who Love Them, reflects her additional concerns for family and friends, because “they’re scared, too, and they have no idea what to do or how to help.”
The response to 8 Steps was very positive, and it won the 2016 Midwest Book Award in the health category.
Beating Cancer One Truth at a Time evolved in 2017 when Marianne’s oncologist suggested her practical, down-to-earth approach to cancer would work well in support group settings. At first she set out to create a companion guide but soon realized she wanted to include new text, information, suggestions for resources, and creative ways to help patients clarify their own beliefs about cancer, make well-informed decisions, and be confident that they’re doing everything possible to fight cancer the way they believe is best for them.
Her hope going forward is to continue to encourage patients and families as well as advocate for early diagnosis and proactive survivor vigilance. She is also interested in cancer prevention and promoting increased education. Her blogs are available at 8stepstogettingrealwithcancer.com, beatingcanceronetruthatatime.com, and mariannemcdonough.com.
