By Karen Washburn

Correspondent

A new line of greeting cards available at the Sentara Obici Hospital Gift Shop encourages patients — especially those with cancer — with a message that encourages “Fighting Back with Attitude.”

The Cancer Girl line of cards is the brainchild of cancer survivor Kathy Honey-Murphy, who designs the cards to shed an uplifting, often humorous light on living with cancer.

According to Honey-Murphy, the inspiration for many of her cards, as well as the character herself, comes from personal experiences. On her blog, she relates a humorous story that prompted her to begin referring to herself as “cancer girl.”

“I called the airline and explained to them that I was going through chemotherapy and needed to be exposed to as few germs as possible. (I explained) I would like to have my seating switched,” Honey-Murphy wrote.

The response was: “Oh yes, we make accommodations for our terminally ill patients all the time.”

To most, this would seem horrific, given that Honey-Murphy was not dying but struggling to survive. But finding humor in well-meaning but awkward and sometimes rude responses of others, as well as in the other struggles shared by cancer patients, is what she believes makes her cards so unusual.

Gift Shop manager Lori Johndrow agrees and said the cards first caught her eye at the AmericasMart Vendor Show in Atlanta.

“I’d never seen anything like that specifically for cancer,” she explained.

According to Johndrow, a large number of gift shop customers are involved in some way with cancer treatment or recovery, whether they are patients themselves or friends and loved ones.

“I’m always looking for something different … something out of the ordinary,” she said. “I thought the greeting cards were really neat … encouraging, funny.”

The shop also carries other Cancer Girl items, such as coffee cups, lip balm and aromatherapy oils. Johndrow said the products have sold very well. Barbara Tulik, a six-year volunteer at the gift shop, added that the line sold exceptionally well during cancer awareness events.

Cancer Girl is colorfully illustrated, sporting a perfectly shaped bald head, bedazzled cat-eyed glasses, and hoop earrings. Cards convey simple messages like “I’m here for you” or “Thanks for pampering me.”

Some cards speak to the issue of cancer treatment specifically, like the one that reads: “Blend to Hairline?” The illustration shows Cancer Girl attempting to apply foundation. Inside the card reads: Don’t worry. I’ll help you figure out all the little things … and the big ones too!

Lest the male population fighting cancer feel left out, this month, Cancer Girl LLC is adding “Cancer Guy” (also based on a real person) with three cards designed for men.

Honey-Murphy, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 49, underwent a double mastectomy with reconstruction, eight rounds of chemotherapy and 28 sessions of radiation. She said she had a wonderful circle of friends and family around for her during her recovery.

“If someone you know or love is going through cancer, whether terminal or not, treat them the same as you would have before,” she advises. “Treat them with love, kindness and compassion.”

And sending them a card now and then wouldn’t hurt either.