A true story designed to inspire a love and appreciation for friends and family has given Dr. Mary Reid Gaudio her first novel.

The Buffalo native and current Los Angeles resident recently published “The Phone Rang,” a story of three sisters’ struggle to confront and cope with the presence of cancer within the family unit, and plans to return to Western New York soon in support of the book.

Released last year, the book narrates the story of Mary’s sister Ann, who was diagnosed at age 67 with a form a childhood cancer known as acute lymphoblastic leukemia. While also preparing for the impending death of their mother at age 95, Ann, Mary and their other sister Chee, find solace at Beauty View Farm in Cattaraugus, which has been passed down through the sisters’ family for 160 years.

According to Gaudio, who is a graduate of SUNY Fredonia, the underlying theme she hopes to convey to her readers is the power of unity and courage in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

“I really wanted to promote the love of family, and how family is so necessary in these kind of dark times,” she said. “Sometimes we don’t support or appreciate our family enough but we always come home. I come back to the area at least once a year, and now the celebrations we share are more heartfelt just seeing Ann and how she’s turned a corner and is now four years in remission. It’s been a rollercoaster ride, and very stressful, but everything is going well so we’re just rejoicing and celebrating Ann now.”

Following this ordeal, Gaudio now tours the country with her sisters giving presentations on how to navigate leukemia’s destructive path and survive to tell the story. Having recently toured Western New York, Gaudio said she plans to return to the area either in the fall or early 2017 in support of the book.

“The Phone Rang” is currently available online through Barnes & Noble and Amazon at barnesandnoble.com and amazon.com, respectively. Gaudio said the proceeds from the sales she makes are directed to Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, where Ann received her treatment.

For more information on Gaudio and “The Phone Rang,” visit the author’s website at drmaryreidgaudio.com.