Community, Alumni Invited to Star Peace Basketball Player Book Signing at WPU
Raleigh, NC (01/30/2024) — Pacers and community members are invited to welcome back Ronnie Laughlin, former Peace College Green Giant (1976-77) and WPU Monthly Sustainer, for her debut book signing of her #2 Amazon Best Seller: An Atypical Journey-Facing Breast Cancer Alone in The Middle East with God and My Tribe.
Ronnie was diagnosed with breast cancer at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019. She was living and working in Saudi Arabia. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Middle East had extremely rigid standards that restricted interactions. After the diagnosis, Ronnie made the decision that she would have to drive herself to her chemo treatments and appointments, as she did not want to risk infections due to a compromised immune system.
Ronnie learned a great deal about her type of cancer, the healthcare system in the Middle East, and how to compose a support system that helps reinforce the need for positivity during her journey. Ronnie decided to write a book about her experiences and share it with others who may be facing the same type of challenges. An Atypical Journey not only takes some of the stigmas away from cancer but allows the patient with cancer to understand the protocols, learn about the process, and learn how best to handle a cancer diagnosis with a positive mindset.
In turn, it quells some of the fears and anxiety associated with having cancer for the patient and caregiver. In this book, Ronnie gives her Words of Wisdom in quips and quotes to help keep the patient with cancer motivated and press forward in life's most challenging journey - cancer.
Peace AthleticsDuring her time at Peace College, Ronnie enjoyed a stellar season, with an overall record of 20 wins, and was the runner-up in the 1977 Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) National tournament. The team achieved a final ranking of #2 in the nation, the highest to date. The team was the inaugural inductee into the Peace College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2002.
Book Signing
The book signing will take place from 4 to 5 p.m. on February 6 in Main Parlor on campus. Laughlin will have books for sale, or people can buy them in advance and bring them to the book signing event. She will donate a copy of her book to the first 10 students who register to attend the book signing. Laughlin will stay to watch the WPU Pacers take on Meredith College in the school's Play 4 Kay Game at 5:30 p.m. in the Hermann Athletic Center. Please register to attend the event.