The Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism at West Virginia University will launch the release of its student-written bookCancer Stories; Lessons in Love, Loss and Hopeat 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24, in E. Moore Hall on the downtown campus.

Cancer Storiesis part of a unique project in which 30 WVU journalism students participated. Over two years, aspiring print, broadcast and photojournalists closely followed cancer patients and their families throughout their daily lives. Doctors and patients at the WVU Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center gave students complete access to appointments, treatments and even surgeries.

Thursday’s event will be a chance for cancer patients, students, doctors and photographers who aided in the outcome of the book to read and reflect on their experiences. The event is open to the public.

The participants have already felt the impact of this project. Former student Sally Ann Cruikshank said,”With class work you go and do, and you dont think about it again. I will most certainly think about this experience the rest of my life.”

Maryanne Reed, acting dean of the School of Journalism, said”students learned as reporters how to do these kinds of pieces that require in-depth reporting and a real commitment of time, energy and emotion.”

Not only was the project an educational experience for aspiring journalists, it has potential to impart wisdom and inspiration to patients and families, as well as the professionals who care for them. According to Dr. Eddie Reed, director of the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center,”This project has helped to make the physicians more aware of the many dimensions of patient care that determine whether or not treatment will be successful or not successful.”

The efforts of the students and professors also resulted in an award-winning documentary that received a regional Emmy, as well as recognition by the Broadcast Education Association. The project has been featured in American Journalism Review, USA TODAY and The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and others.

The hard-back book contains gripping student-shot photos, eight student-written chapters about individual patients and a DVD copy of the documentary. The book can be purchased from WVU Press online atwww.wvupress.comor by calling 1-866-WVU-PRESS. It is also available at the WVU Bookstore and participating Barnes&Noble bookstores.