Former TV anchor Estela Casas pens book about cancer journey, will sign books Saturday
Estela Casas, well known in the El Paso community for her 37 years in broadcast news, has penned her first book, which details her breast cancer journey.
Casas, who is now a creative brand strategist/manager for the Viva Auto Group, will have a book signing for her book, "A Place to Anchor: Journalism, Cancer, and Rewriting Mi Vida as a Latina on the Border," on Saturday.
The book signing and meet and greet will be from 10 a.m. to noon at Kendra Scott La Villita, 6801 N. Mesa St.
Retail price is $20.95 plus tax, available via Amazon or Mascot Books. The official release date is Feb. 7. The book, a pink bag and bookmarker will be available for $30 on Saturday. Proceeds go to the Stand with Estela Casas Cancer Foundation.
In her autobiography, Casas intertwines memories of her life, from her dream of being a bilingual singer to an unexpected yet successful career in broadcast journalism, with details of her brave fight against cancer. She was diagnosed in 2017 and is now cancer free and will be considered cancer free, in remission, on Feb. 21.
Q&A with Estela Casas about her autobiography
Question: What made you decide to write a book at this time in your life?
Answer: The book has been in the making for 63 months. The moment my doctor told me I had cancer, I began writing and expressing my emotions on a keyboard. I have terrible handwriting; I was handed a death sentence with no guarantee of a successful prognosis. Three months shy of remission, I celebrate every day that I’m alive and thriving. I have nothing to lose and perhaps someone who reads my book will have something to gain after reading my story.
Q: What do you want to tell people in your book?
A: Power in Positivity. I wanted to share how anchoring in my faith, love of family, friends and even strangers got me through my public battle. While on the nightly news, I had a platform to show viewers what strength and vulnerability look like while fighting cancer. Now, people who followed my journey have the opportunity to read about what I, and those who love me, were experiencing. I share some things that may surprise or even shock readers. Don’t judge me.
Q: Was it hard to put down personal experiences and thoughts for the world to see, so to speak?
A: I wrote every time I had a thought relating to cancer. I wrote before, sometimes during and always after newscasts. I wrote weekends, and in the middle of the night when I couldn’t sleep. I had to completely rewrite the first draft after the fog from chemo brain lifted! After four rewrites I handed over the manuscript to my editor. We had weekly Zoom meetings before the final manuscript was sent to Mascot Publishing.
It was cathartic to put my thoughts and emotions on paper. Every click of the keys on the keyboard sometimes brought me to tears, other times it made me chuckle and always made me reflect and be grateful.
Q: Did your career in journalism make any impact in your writing or help you in any way on this writing project?
A: Absolutely! My experience in telling “people stories” made me share my story that’s relatable. My hope is that if you followed my television career you can hear my voice. I am working on an audio book. Maybe someday it will be available in español.
Q: What did you learn about yourself after writing this book and how does it feel to add author to your accomplished career?
A: I learned that I am strong, resilient and enough. Although I still work hard every day to prove my worth and value. I believe in earning everything I have, including the intangibles. I am not financially wealthy, but I am rich in love. I give love and receive love. I believe in making memories and creating experiences because that is all I will take with me when I die.
I feel grateful. My heart is full. I never set out to be a journalist, anchor or author. I just simply let God show me the way through the many people he continues to place in my path. I don’t know what’s next, but I’m sure I’ll find the love, faith and grit to pivot and take another leap of faith to do something bold!
María Cortés González may be reached at 915-546-6150; mcortes@elpasotimes.com; @EPTMaria on Twitter.
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This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Estela Casas writes book about cancer journey, plans book signing
