Never Leave Your Wingman book by Deana J. Driver
Never Leave Your Wingman: Dionne and Graham Warner's Story of Hope
By Deana J. Driver
Seven-time cancer survivor Dionne Warner dances around in costume as she enters the Allan Blair Cancer Centre in Regina, Saskatchewan for chemotherapy. Dionne and her fun-loving husband Graham have battled cancer head-on with laughter, joy, courage and hope since Dionne's December 2009 diagnosis of Stage IV cancer of the liver, lung and bone. They've made their way into chemo dressed as pirates (The Last Saskatchewan Pirates), cowboy and cowgirl (Save A Horse Ride A Cowboy), disco dancers (Disco Inferno), rock stars (Thunderstruck) and more! Along with conventional chemotherapy, Dionne has taken complementary treatments in Mexico, seen a natural medicine doctor, and is on a special diet with supplements to help her fight the cancers. Dionne has shared her story with patients and cancer organizations including Relay For Life and CIBC Run for the Cure, and raised more than $50,000 for cancer research by selling cancer awareness merchandise.
When Dionne was diagnosed with liver cancer in 2001 she told Graham, who was her fiancé at the time, that he did not have to marry her - she would return to her home in Toronto, Ontario. An experienced pilot, Graham quickly said: "You never leave your wingman." This is an unforgettable, inspiring true story and a lesson in love.
Non-fiction. Honourable Mention, Biography, 2013 Great Midwest Book Festival