Awareness Through Words

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A Bahraini author is raising awareness about the psychological effects of cancer through her works.

When human beings experience a life trauma of any kind, it is not uncommon for their creativity to be unleashed. In the case of Lamees Alhassar, her latent passion for writing was fuelled by the death of a loved one and she has since penned more than 60 books.

The seasoned businesswoman always dreamed of putting pen to paper after retirement, but tragedy brought her plans forward, beckoning her to channel her grief into a more productive activity.
“I lost my brother to a whirlwind battle with cancer in 2014. This jolted my reality and made me ponder over the transience of life. “I realised that the present moment is all we have, so I began publishing my writing online,” explains Lamees.

Her first book, dedicated to her late brother, was about the psychological impacts of cancer and 5,000 copies were distributed around the Middle East.

In a bid to give back to the community and bring about awareness, Lamees is campaigning to give out her book to those dealing with the disease.

“I am teaming up with the Bahrain Cancer Society, the oncology department of Salmaniya Medical Complex, and hopefully Think Pink to hand out the book.

“Doctors will provide the necessary treatment, but the patient has to take care of their mental and emotional wellbeing, which is one of the most difficult aspects about the malady,” she says.
“Warriors” is her term for those battling the disease. “They put up a battle with the ailment. Whether they lose or win, they continue fighting gracefully and valiantly till the end.
“Change your lifestyle, and be happy, no matter what the end result is. Make the best of whatever time there is,” Lamees advises.

October-2016_People2_01The writer says she is constantly inspired, something she credits to a combination of the art of listening and a vivid imagination. “Everyone has a story or an idea, whether a bank teller or a restaurant waiter. All you have to do is listen with an open mind, gather the stories, and come up with ideas.”

A woman of varied interests, she is also an avid artist. After having taken sketching classes, she found painting to be a stress reliever because you focus all your attention on the colours and brush strokes. “This is when I wrote about colouring for adults as a stress management technique. I have since compiled various colouring books for adults and kids,” she adds.

Having written various fiction, non-fiction and kids’ books, she is currently working on a sci-fi novel titled Planet Dan-X34. “It is a book set in a time where the owning of planets is now a norm, and how one company owner acquires a portfolio of 33 planets. Some alien businessmen barter an exchange of one of the planets. The swap is with an Earth-like planet with pyramids. These structures are actually gateways to parallel dimensions and the planet’s existence is now at stake,” she explains.

Besides that, she has also written numerous books including a series of 10 paranormal books, Planet Robani 1, and The Power of Gratitude, which is her favourite work.
“I think gratitude is a trait everyone should have to achieve a fulfilled, happy life. The more you thank, the more you get,” she says.

Her work can be found under her name on Amazon and Barnes & Noble Online.
www.lameesauthor.com