My Life Beyond Leukemia: A Mayo Clinic Patient Story: A Mayo Clinic Patient Story

The "My Life Beyond" graphic book series tells the true stories of Mayo Clinic patients. Featuring 36 beautiful, fully illustrated pages, this graphic novel shares the inspiring story of Rae Burremo's experience with leukemia.

After going through treatment for leukemia, Amy is used to visiting the hospital. As she falls asleep for another medical test, she suddenly finds herself on an adventure. With the help of a shrinking potion, other magic tools and some friends, she's on a mission to help other kids face leukemia and its treatment.

What is it really like to have this childhood cancer? Find out how Amy beats leukemia and discovers life beyond her illness.

Children's voices are rarely heard amid the complexity of modern medicine. That's why every story in the My Life Beyond series stems from the imagination and experience of a Mayo Clinic patient. The books were developed through collaboration between these patients, Mayo Clinic physicians and author-illustrator Hey Gee. Through this unique lens of inspiring real-life experiences, the series explores how children view illness, challenges and recovery.

Leukemia is estimated to affect 1 in every 1000 children, but children's voices and their experiences with this disease are rarely heard. Created through collaboration between pediatric patients, their doctors, and children's author and illustrator Hey Gee, My Life Beyond Leukemia dives into the minds and imaginations of child patients at Mayo Clinic to explain how children experience illness, challenges, and recovery.

The "My Life Beyond" graphic novel book series is published in collaboration with Fondation Ipsen.

Author: Hey Gee
Publisher: Mayo Clinic Press Kids
Published: 10/12/2021
Pages: 36
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.31lbs
Size: 7.48h x 0.10w x 0.39d
ISBN: 9781893005785
Audience: Ages 9-12


Review Citation(s):
Booklist 02/01/2022 pg. 44

About the Author
Guillaume Frederighi AKA Hey Gee, is a French and American author and illustrator. He began his career in 1998 by exploring the world of street art and graffiti in different European capitals. After moving to New York, Hey Gee developed a reputation for a direct and instantaneous style of graphic design and illustration that brings out unifying ideas, creates distinctive characters, and affects all generations. He is also the owner and creative director of Hey Gee Studio, a full service creative agency based in New York City.

Rae Burremo was a typical 5 year old when she developed leg pain that left her limping. For a couple weeks, her parents and doctors tried to figure out what was causing it until finally they looked at her legs with an MRI and she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. She had a great group of friends and family who supported her through treatment by making sure she always had her favorite salty snacks and plenty of art supplies. Rae loves spaghetti with red sauce, peperoni pizza, and every kind of fruit. She is passionate about animals, is a devoted friend, loves to listen to music, draw, jump on the trampoline, swim, figure skate and visit Disney World with her family. Rae is now a healthy 10-year-old in fourth grade who dreams of being an interior designer when she grows up.