Thanks so much for sharing your story with all of us...I’m sure it will inspire those who haven’t had the pleasure of meeting you. I can understand why after all the years since your initial surgeries, CHOP continues to ask you to chat with young patients. What great strength of character.

- Terry Esposito
Financial Advisor

A remarkable journey through the eyes of a child who faced adversity and scoffed at it. She [the author] was wise beyond her years and with the support of an exceptional family, she was able to overcome the challenges of living with a chronic and disabling condition. A book for patients and family members who need to see that there is always light at the end of the tunnel.

- Jenifer
Mother of a child battling Crohn's Disease

I work at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital and see children like her fighting to survive everyday. I think that Everything’s Okay can give hope to their parents and provide strength to help them keep fighting even after they are exhausted by their own journey.

- Nick Masi, PhD
Director of Family-Centered Care, Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital

The experience of a first love is a moment in time that everyone can relate to and Alesia Shute immediately captivates and establishes a connection with the reader with her honest portrayal of hers. As I read the book I felt as I was there with her and kept thinking how brave she was. Throughout my teaching career I have had students that have been diagnosed with serious illnesses and wish I had a book like this one to recommend to their parents. The book gives hope, which is something they desperately need at such a time. Everything's Okay makes the reader realize that there are things we can and can't control and it reminds us to appreciate everything that is good in our lives.

- Esther Goldblatt
Teacher

I finally received & read my copy of Everything's Ok ... wow, I can't believe everything you've been through from such a young age. You handled everything with such strength, grace & determination - more than most are capable of, especially as such a young woman. I truly enjoyed reading your story & feel so blessed that I not only know you, but that I was able to support your cause. You are incredible human being & a true gift. You truly make the world a better place simply by being in it! WOW - thank you & I look forward to your signing my copy of your book :)

- Cristina Filippelli

I am amazed by your story, and admire your accomplishments. I am fighting colitis, having been diagnosed in 1999. Some days are better than others, as I'm sure you are aware. I came close to having my colon removed last summer, but then by some miracle, started doing better. We'll see what the future holds! Thanks for sharing your story, and being an inspiration to others. It gives me hope, knowing that someone else with my disease has been able to lead a "normal" life!

- Matthew J. Deno, Probation Officer

I have known Alesia Shute during the past two decades through her and her husband, Cliff Shute, and their dedication to my research in maternal, infant, pediatric, and adolescent AIDS basic, clinical, and translational research. Throughout the years, Alesia has shown her kindness, generosity, and enthusiasm for those in need of help that suffer from debilitating and deadly diseases including AIDS and cancer. This book encompasses how Alesia came to have such compassion and kindness for others. Alesia is a colleague, friend, and wonderful supporter of The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the Joseph Stokes Jr. Research Institute. It is a pleasure to participate in the dedication of her autobiography.

Steven D. Douglas, M.D.
Chief Immunology and Director Clinical Immunology Laboratories
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Professor and Associate Chair, Pediatrics
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) was founded in 1855 as the first hospital dedicated exclusively to the care of children in the United States. Since that time, CHOP has revolutionized the way care is delivered for children the world over. In this wonderful book, you’ll read about a medical situation that, without the expertise of the first man ever to focus on translating surgical techniques for use on children — Dr. C. Everett Koop — would not have ended the way that it did. Dr. Koop recognized that children are not simply small adults and that special and different care should be developed for them.

CHOP has received patient referrals from all 50 states and 46 countries around the globe and has been rated the best children's hospital in the nation by U.S. News and World Report since 2003. As a not-for-profit institution, much of what we are able to accomplish is due to partnerships established with current and former patients and their families and their investment, through philanthropy, in our research and other programs. By telling her wonderful story in this book, and by designating 100% percentage of the profits from the sale of this book to CHOP, Alesia is continuing this marvelous tradition of philanthropy that will help to keep CHOP at the forefront of pediatrics for the benefit of children and their families the world over.

Kevin Carraccio
Director of Development for Individual and Principal Gifts
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Writing fiction with imagined hurdles to overcome is one thing; writing a truthful account of the realities is quite another. Alesia Shute has captured the pain of an uncertain life that is always on the edge of collapsing and what it takes to survive tragedies not of our own making. She has done a masterful job and 'Stand up and cheer' is not an adequate description of her story, Everything's Okay.

Carl T. Smith
Author, Lowcountry Boil, Nothin' Left to Lose and Louisiana Burn

Everything's Okay demonstrates [Alesia’s] strength and humanity in a very readable way. Readers see how her early days of as a cancer patient were so impactful. It was an easy read of a very personal part of her life that had me imagining each experience. Her vivid insights provoked me to want to keep on reading.

- Kaysi Miller Weeks
Antique Appraiser

"Alesia, I opened your book about 4 hours ago, and four hours later, at 11:41 on a Friday night, I just finished it. I couldn’t put it down. What a wonderful story."

—Jonathan Santoro

"Alesia, I always thought you were one of the most beautiful, strongest and powerful women I knew, and your book confirmed it! I thank god your still here to be an inspiration to everyone sick and healthy, thank-you for being in my life too!! love you, Chippy GREAT BOOK, GREAT FAMILY GREAT HUSBAND!"

—Darlene Mormann