It all started several years ago when Travis was a sophomore in high school. It, being a small, yet raging, pain in his right tibia. This small pain grew to be the biggest experience of his life.
Others described the Waters Family as having a “charmed life”. Then all of the sudden, their world was turned upside down. Everything changed when the youngest family member was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare bone cancer. Kibou, The Travis Waters Story of Hope describes the roller coaster story of ups and downs. Throughout the entire journey, one factor remained constant. Travis never lost hope.
Others described the Waters Family as having a “charmed life”. Then all of the sudden, their world was turned upside down. Everything changed when the youngest family member was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare bone cancer. Kibou, The Travis Waters Story of Hope describes the roller coaster story of ups and downs. Throughout the entire journey, one factor remained constant. Travis never lost hope.
Event: Book Signing
Date: Check back for upcoming dates.
Date: Check back for upcoming dates.
Other locations where Kibou, The Travis Waters Story
of Hope can be purchased:
of Hope can be purchased:
Double Exposure
More info about the studio that will reproduce artwork.
www.doubleexposureart.com
Music by John Ashley
Wrote the song “Travis” after meeting him just once.
www.myspace.com/johnashleysmusic
National Make-A-Wish Foundation
The premier wish-granting organization for children.
www.wish.org
Kushi Institute
A natural approach to health and healing in the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts.
www.kushiinstitute.org
More info about the studio that will reproduce artwork.
www.doubleexposureart.com
Music by John Ashley
Wrote the song “Travis” after meeting him just once.
www.myspace.com/johnashleysmusic
National Make-A-Wish Foundation
The premier wish-granting organization for children.
www.wish.org
Kushi Institute
A natural approach to health and healing in the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts.
www.kushiinstitute.org
Travis' Autobiography
Written at the Hummer Racing Team’s request.
www.yourlifecounts.org
Jubilee!
Community of faith located in Asheville, NC.
www.jubileecommunity.org
Ronald McDonald House (Boston)
Creating, finding and supporting programs that directly improve the health and well being of children.
www.ronaldmcdonaldhouseboston.org
Written at the Hummer Racing Team’s request.
www.yourlifecounts.org
Jubilee!
Community of faith located in Asheville, NC.
www.jubileecommunity.org
Ronald McDonald House (Boston)
Creating, finding and supporting programs that directly improve the health and well being of children.
www.ronaldmcdonaldhouseboston.org
Medical Facilities Where Travis Received World-Class Service:
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Providing expert, compassionate care to cancer patients.
www.dana-farber.org
Brigham and Women's Hospital
A teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School.
www.brighamandwomens.org
Duke University Hospital
A full-service tertiary and quaternary care hospital.
www.dukehealth.org
Providing expert, compassionate care to cancer patients.
www.dana-farber.org
Brigham and Women's Hospital
A teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School.
www.brighamandwomens.org
Duke University Hospital
A full-service tertiary and quaternary care hospital.
www.dukehealth.org
Children's Hospital Boston
One of the largest pediatric medical centers in the US.
www.childrenshospital.org
Seattle Children's Hospital
Provides healthcare for the special needs of children.
www.seattlechildrens.org
Mission Hospital
One of the top performing hospitals in the nation.
www.missionhospitals.org
One of the largest pediatric medical centers in the US.
www.childrenshospital.org
Seattle Children's Hospital
Provides healthcare for the special needs of children.
www.seattlechildrens.org
Mission Hospital
One of the top performing hospitals in the nation.
www.missionhospitals.org
Basic Information About Ewing’s Sarcoma:
Ewing's Sarcoma / PNET
www.cancerindex.org
www.cancerindex.org
Cancer Trial Research:
National Cancer Institute
www.cancer.gov
www.cancer.gov
As an accomplished artist, Travis produced beautiful and unique artwork that is featured throughout the Kibou book. Some pieces have been professionally archived and are available for order.
All reproductions are printed using the Giclee method, representing the highest quality of craftsmanship, expertise and care. Using the latest technology, these prints are essentially indistinguishable from the original artwork, are museum quality and should last at least 150 years.
All artwork are the original creations of Travis Waters and are copyrighted. Some proceeds from artwork sales will be donated to the following funds:
All reproductions are printed using the Giclee method, representing the highest quality of craftsmanship, expertise and care. Using the latest technology, these prints are essentially indistinguishable from the original artwork, are museum quality and should last at least 150 years.
All artwork are the original creations of Travis Waters and are copyrighted. Some proceeds from artwork sales will be donated to the following funds:
- The Travis Waters Scholarship Fund - Potsdam High School, Potsdam, New York
- The Steve Matheny Scholarship - Hanover High School, Hanover, Massachusetts
- The Lindsay Berghuis Award for Bravery - Yarmouth High School, Yarmouth, Maine
Important information regarding ordering:
- All art is custom reproduced. Please allow 2-3 weeks for delivery.
- There will be a 15% discount for actual size orders of entire series.
- All art is unframed and will be mailed via USPS in tubes.
- Shipping charges are already included in all prices.
- Email ellie@kibou-art.com to request additions to this website. If there is
enough response, she will try to add other artwork seen in the book to this
available archive.
|
Writing this memoir served not only as cathartic prescription for the author, it fulfills her promise to her son Travis that she would complete the story of his journey. |
| Kibou, The Travis Waters Story of Hope is the chronology of Travis’ cancer fight and is dedicated first and foremost to him. Travis wages a fearless, brave war against the enemy while not letting his fight interfere with his joy to make every moment count. |
|
Charles W. M. Roberts, M.D., Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute |
|
“KIBOU, The Travis Waters Story of Hope is the heart wrenching true story of Travis, a teenage patient of mine, as he is diagnosed with and battles cancer. Travis’ story provides inspiration and hope that we can help the next generation of kids.” |
Order your copy today:
KIBOU, The Travis Waters Story of Hope
Written and Published by Ellie Waters
ISBN# 978-1-60059-040-5
US (1 copy): $29.95 + $5.00 shipping
US (2 copies): $50.00 + $6.00 shipping
Canada (1 copy): $29.95 + $11.00 shipping
Written and Published by Ellie Waters
ISBN# 978-1-60059-040-5
US (1 copy): $29.95 + $5.00 shipping
US (2 copies): $50.00 + $6.00 shipping
Canada (1 copy): $29.95 + $11.00 shipping
Click Here for a look at the Table of Contents.
(Please call to place orders for 3 or more copies
of the Kibou book as shipping costs will vary.)
of the Kibou book as shipping costs will vary.)
Please enjoy the excerpt below from Chapter 5, Living With Cancer
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The bottom of the leg would require a prosthetic. This procedure offered a great benefit as it allowed total mobility retention. Travis could continue snowboarding, even jumping. But the skill complicated the picture. The tiny spot would require radiation to resolve the tumor. Surgery was not an option here. |
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Surgery was considered the most effective treatment for Travis' type of cancer. What a choice! But it was Travis' decision; it was his body. Should he elect permanent disfigurement when another portion of diseased tissue could not be removed surgically? Why bother with surgery? Everyone seemed to favor localized radiation of all sites. |
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Then there was another hard reality. In order to radiate this tiny spot on the skull and not cause brain damage, it was necessary to create a broader field. Radiation had to be directed from multiple wide angles to ensure no penetration through the skull. Such a plan would create a large round area of alopecia, a bald spot, at his forehead hairline. Travis always had the most beautiful hair. All cancer patients suffer temporary hair loss from chemotherapy, but his spot would be permanent. No remedies, other than hairpieces, were offered for the costmetic aftermath. This was not an issue, though. The main concern was to save Travis' life and pick up the pieces later. |
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The choice was a no-brainer. Travis elected not to have surgery and receive radiation to all areas. Everyone agreed it was the right decision under the circumstances. Jim stayed in Boston the rest of the week and my parents came up again from Florida. It was difficult for mom and dad not to be there more. They wanted to do something, but felt helpless, as did all of us. On April 20 we returned to Potsdam, finished with all initial chemotherapy and the first third of the protocol. |
I just finished reading your book. I couldn't put it down from the minute I got into it I was hooked. What a touching story and filled with so much love.
D. Murison
Asheville, NC
Western North Carolina's most widely read newspaper-magazine calls Kibou, The Travis Waters Story of Hope "an uplifting local narrative that's a must-read for anyone touched by serious illness."
Mountain Xpress (read review here)
Asheville, NC
The Travis Waters Story of Hope is so inspirational, it should encourage and strengthen all of us, whether dealing with a devastating illness, or just living a normal life, to live every day to the fullest. This young man endured unimaginable circumstances, yet persevered through it all, never giving up hope, and always having faith that no matter how bad the situation seemed, it would get Better! He led us down a journey, allowing us to enter around each new corner along this pathway; hope was guiding him, helping him to keep believing that through some miraculous break-through, he would be cured. Although at times it seemed Travis’s illness was in state of remission, even possibly cured, the “monster” came back with a vengeance. Such a sad journey for he and his family with all its up and down, bumps in the road, and many, many setbacks. Travis was in the race for his life and running of out of precious time, yet wanting to grasp onto everything that life still had to offer him. In so little time, Travis got to do many things most of us will never do in a lifetime, even if we live to be 100. Thanks to his wonderful parents and grandparents, The Make-A-Wish Foundation, and the family and friends that helped out along this incredible journey of “Hope.” Even though Travis never received the miracle he was hoping for, he never gave up. He fought a fight of faith till the very end, knowing it was his time to go, and that he had a place ready and waiting for him, as well as others, when their time came to go. “Kibou” – Hope beyond all hope – a perfect description of Travis Waters’ life. He was, and will forever remain a true “Hero” indeed!
A Loving Admirer
D. Mashburn, Asheville, NC
Just finished reading your book, couldn't put it down in fact, it is amazing how you dealt with Travis' illness and how you portrayed it in writing was like I was right there.... sad memories but all I can say is that you are one amazing woman, mother and friend! Dont ever think there was more you could've done for Travis - this book will prove that wrong! Well done!!!
K. Warr
Potsdam, NY
D. Murison
Asheville, NC
Western North Carolina's most widely read newspaper-magazine calls Kibou, The Travis Waters Story of Hope "an uplifting local narrative that's a must-read for anyone touched by serious illness."
Mountain Xpress (read review here)
Asheville, NC
The Travis Waters Story of Hope is so inspirational, it should encourage and strengthen all of us, whether dealing with a devastating illness, or just living a normal life, to live every day to the fullest. This young man endured unimaginable circumstances, yet persevered through it all, never giving up hope, and always having faith that no matter how bad the situation seemed, it would get Better! He led us down a journey, allowing us to enter around each new corner along this pathway; hope was guiding him, helping him to keep believing that through some miraculous break-through, he would be cured. Although at times it seemed Travis’s illness was in state of remission, even possibly cured, the “monster” came back with a vengeance. Such a sad journey for he and his family with all its up and down, bumps in the road, and many, many setbacks. Travis was in the race for his life and running of out of precious time, yet wanting to grasp onto everything that life still had to offer him. In so little time, Travis got to do many things most of us will never do in a lifetime, even if we live to be 100. Thanks to his wonderful parents and grandparents, The Make-A-Wish Foundation, and the family and friends that helped out along this incredible journey of “Hope.” Even though Travis never received the miracle he was hoping for, he never gave up. He fought a fight of faith till the very end, knowing it was his time to go, and that he had a place ready and waiting for him, as well as others, when their time came to go. “Kibou” – Hope beyond all hope – a perfect description of Travis Waters’ life. He was, and will forever remain a true “Hero” indeed!
A Loving Admirer
D. Mashburn, Asheville, NC
Just finished reading your book, couldn't put it down in fact, it is amazing how you dealt with Travis' illness and how you portrayed it in writing was like I was right there.... sad memories but all I can say is that you are one amazing woman, mother and friend! Dont ever think there was more you could've done for Travis - this book will prove that wrong! Well done!!!
K. Warr
Potsdam, NY
Born 1951 in Albany, New York, Eleanor Ainspan graduated from high school in 1969. She prefers going by “Ellie.” Ellie attended the University of Vermont in Burlington, where she received a B.A. in Psychology.
She was married to Jim Waters in 1974 and they had two children, Jennifer and Travis. Their family lived in Potsdam, New York for 20 years. Ellie permanently relocated to Asheville, North Carolina in 2000 and continues to reside in that area. Ellie currently works as an employment counselor and KIBOU is her first book.
Please email Ellie with any comments after reading the book and she may have your statement added to the Testimonials.
| Address: |
| Kibou-Art |
| P.O. Box 412 |
| Fairview, NC 28730 |
| Telephone: |
| (828) 423-6958 |
| Email: |
| ellie@kibou-art.com |