When I started reading SixtyFive Roses, I had no idea what the book was about. All I knew was that Eva Longoria optioned the film rights, Celine Dion wrote the foreword, and Angela Lansbury said she couldn't put it down. What I didn't expect was to pulled into the lives of the Summerhayes family. Heather Summerhayes was only six when her sister (who was four) was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. However, since she was only four, she couldn't say that and called it “sixtyfive roses” instead. In those times, kids didn't live very long with the disease (I think the oldest living person with Cystic Fibrosis is in their forties now I think). Pam beat all the odds and (spoiler alert!) she did end up living till she was 26.

This is not a book that is happy go lucky. For me, I found it gut wrenching. I have a cousin (who is in his twenties right now) who has Cystic Fibrosis, so this book hit close to home for me. Before having children, I was tested to see if I was a carrier for Cystic Fibrosis (which I was not). I am actually finding myself tearing up just trying to write this review – that's how much this book affected me. It was Pam's deathbed wish that Heather write their story and to tell it like it was. This book shows you this family's strength in a time there was no hope. The Summerhayes helped to create the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Sick Kids hospital in Toronto. They set up a Financial Advisory Board as well as a Medical Advisory Board to help families and to raise funds for research for a cure. There have been many books written about parents going through this struggle, but I think this is one of first of a siblings struggle. This is one of the few that shows you what it is like to live in a home with a chronic illness and how it effects every single person. You feel like you are one of family. You laugh with them; you cry with them. After reading this book, there is no way it doesn't leave an imprint on your heart and you soul.

This is one of the best books I think I have ever read, and I want one of you to have the opportunity to read this. Here's what you need to do:

1. Leave a comment on this post. Tell me why you would like a copy of the SixtyFive Roses book.
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This giveaway will end on December 20 at 8:00 pm CST is available to US residents. Good luck!