Kentucky Books for Patients Project Seeks Donations of Books By Kentucky Writers for Cancer Patients

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Kentucky Books for Patients Project

In an effort to make Kentucky literature available to cancer patients, the Kentucky Books for Patients Project is asking for donations of new or gently used books by Kentucky writers or writers associated with Kentucky. With support from Spalding University's Master of Fine Arts in Writing Program, the James Graham Brown Cancer Center, and Louisville’s University Hospital, this project will establish book collections in cancer centers of hospitals and clinics throughout Kentucky. Anyone, including writers themselves, is encouraged to donate novels as well as books of poetry, short stories, and essays.

Why Kentucky-related books?

We thought it would be interesting to narrow the project to works that have some connection to Kentucky, for two reasons: it utilizes our state’s excellent arts and cultural resources, and it has the potential to offer something familiar to the patient seen in a new light. For example, it would be amazing to us if a cancer patient picked up a book of poetry by Wendell Berry, read his descriptions of the Kentucky River valley in Henry County and of the farms and mountains of Eastern Kentucky, and suddenly memories from this patient’s childhood spent in that region would rise to the surface. Sena Jeter Naslund wrote in an essay published a few years ago in a collection whose title also bears these words: "Place gives rise to spirit." We hope this project affirms her idea.

Here's how you can help

What to give: We're looking for new or gently used novels and books of poetry, short stories, and essays that are related to Kentucky in some way (i.e. writer, publisher, subject). Books will be placed permanently in outpatient and inpatient cancer facilities and will be available for patients to borrow and read. The books will not leave the facilities. If you aren't sure about how to select a book, the Kentucky Literary News is a very nice Web page with updated information about Kentucky writing. You may also consider visiting local bookshops for ideas. Links are to your right.

Where to send your donation:

< MFA Office, Spalding Univ., 851 S. Fourth Street, Louisville, KY 40203
< Quills Coffee & Books, 1220 East Kentucky Street, Louisville, KY 40204

Please keep checking in with us for updates. For more information, feel free to contact us at kybooksforpatients@gmail.com.

Thanks for your interest, and I hope to hear from you soon,
Clint