Lynn Eib's "50 Days of Hope" is a small-sized book that offers a lot of comfort for people battling cancer.

"I call it portable hope," said Eib, 58, of Jackson Township. "You can tuck it in your pocket, your pocketbook or your briefcase. You can read a little bit of it each day."

The 256-page, 4 inch-by-6-inch book is being released in June by Tyndale House Publishers, based in Carol Stream, Ill.

Eib has a book-signing event from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, June 1, at oncologist Dr. Marc Hirsh's office at 777 Cherry Court in Hanover. The book cost is $13.99.

Eib is a patient advocate -- through Hirsh's office -- and offers emotional and spiritual support to area cancer patients and their caregivers.

Eib

She is a member of Christ's American Baptist Church in Spring Grove, where her husband, Ralph Eib, is pastor emeritus. They have three daughters and a grandson.

Eib also is a former award-winning reporter for The York Dispatch and was a correspondent with the York Daily Record.

About the book: Her "50 Days of Hope" has 50 sections -- each 900 words or less -- featuring biblical scriptures, lessons Eib shares from her experiences as a 22-year colon cancer survivor and the experiences of several people undergoing their own cancer battles, including some from York and Adams counties.

"Not everybody in life get cured from cancer," she said. "But the people in this book are either cured or in remission or living longer than doctors expected."

Eib's first book was the bestseller "When God & Cancer Meet," with 70,000 copies sold since its 2002 release.

She also wrote "Finding the Light in Cancer's Shadow" (2006), "He Cares New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs" (2009) and "When God & Grief Meet" (2009).

Eib's "50 Days of Hope" is especially designed to encourage people who are experiencing their first time being diagnosed with cancer, Eib said.

She said learning that one has cancer "feels like a death sentence." Thus cancer patients, their families and caretakers can read the book one section, one day at a time to help them along the way.

With purpose: The book's sections can be read to patients, especially on days when it's easier for them to just listen. Every part of "50 Days of Hope" has a purpose, Eib said.

The book's small size and short reading sections makes it easier for cancer patients to handle, she said. The book's soft leather-like cover is designed to offer comfort, Eib said.

"People tell me that as soon as they touch it they start to feel comforted," she said. "The book is inviting."

The cover's green color represents peacefulness, life and growth. The book's title is encircled in a green sunburst as a sign of life and light in the darkness, Eib said.

Inside, the book's words are printed in forest green ink color and there's a bright green ribbon marker to provide easy reading experiences, Eib said. Each section features pictures of trees and leaves.

"Hopefully my words are comforting," she said. "The book's design, it's very life-giving."

-- Reach Eyana Adah McMillan at 505-5438 or emcmillan@yorkdispatch.com.

Book signing

The book-signing event for "50 Days of Hope" by Lynn Eib will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, June 1, at Dr. Marc Hirsh's office at 777 Cherry Court in Hanover.

The 256-page book costs $13.99. For information about Eib and her other books, visit www.cancerpatientadvocate.com.