Deborah Ludwig has been journal writing since 1992, so when was diagnosed with leukemia on December 18, 2003, she decided that journaling would be one way of coping with her illness. That journal became her first book, Rebirth: A Leukemia Survivor’s Journal of Healing during Chemotherapy, Bone Marrow Transplant, and Recovery. It was written with the intention of helping other cancer survivors and their loved ones.

During her illness, she started a blog, www.deborahludwig.blogspot.com, to keep family and friends abreast of her treatments and progress. The blog has evolved into a platform for exploring struggles and concerns in her personal life, analyzing political issues, promoting cancer advocacy and other worthy causes, and sharing inspirational stories from a compassionate and reasoned, yet feisty POV.

Ms. Ludwig is an actor with credits in film, television, commercials, and theatre. She resides in the New York City area and is a First Connection and Advocacy Network volunteer for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, as well as a member of their Speakers Bureau.

Photos by Karen Culp

• © 2008 Deborah Ludwig