Book launch to help raise funds for Love Your Sister

EVEN though local author Tim Hawkins latest novel If Kisses Cured Cancer is fictional, it tells a story close to home after his wife’s experience with the disease.

Mr Hawkins said after his wife Tara was diagnosed with cancer at 29 they were able to stay afloat thanks to the generosity of others and he’s decided to return the favour by donating profits from his book launch May 18.

“When my wife Tara was battling cancer, we only barely kept our heads above water because of a charity event organised by friends and supported by people all around the country.

“That sense of gratitude can’t really be understood unless you feel it yourself, but I hope this gesture goes a little way in paying some of that kindness forward.”

The launch, to be held at The Bottle of Milk in Torquay will donate book, beer and raffle sales to cancer charity Love Your Sister (LYS) and will be the second of three planned launches.

“We held one last Friday in Western Australia that raised $3,000 for Love Your Sister which was a great result. I’m hoping to improve on that one again in my home town Torquay,” he said.

“Then we’ll have one more the following Friday on the Gold Coast. The overall end goal is $10,000. There’s a lot of cancer charities out there but I chose LYS because they’ve built an amazing support community.

“A lot of charities raise money for research, which is needed but I know from experience with my wife going through her cancer treatment that it can be a really isolating experience.

“Having that support network that understands what you’re going through is so important, and that’s why I singled out LYS.”

Mr Hawkins said he encouraged everyone to come along for a great night and to support a great cause with things kicking off at 7pm.

“It’s free entry and if you want you can buy a raffle ticket, there’s prizes, you don’t have to buy the book, but you can if you want,” he said.

“There’ll be lots of opportunity to raise money for Love Your Sister.”

The book launch is open to the general public and will go from 7pm-12am.

It’s proudly supported by local surf brands Quicksilver, Rip Curl, Bottle of Milk, Geelong’s Platter Co, as well as Aireys Inlet’s Rogue Wave Brewery.

If Kisses Cured Cancer is available now on Amazon.com.au and at local book stores.

To give directly to Love Your Sister, head to loveyoursister.org/donate.