Author Jeannie Gaffigan Honored with a Christopher Award

New York City.-based author Jeannie Gaffigan received a Christopher Award for "When Life Gives You Pears: The Healing Power of Family, Faith, and Funny People," (Grand Central Publishing/Hachette Book Group). It is one of 11 books for adults and young people by 16 authors and illustrators honored as the Awards mark their 71st year. They join the creators of nine winning TV/Cable and feature films also being honored.

The Christophers' motto, “It’s better to light one candle than to curse the darkness,” is particularly apt in 2020 said Tony Rossi, The Christophers’ Director of Communications. The celebrated authors, illustrators, writers, producers, and directors whose works exemplify this Chinese proverb also “affirm the highest values of the human spirit,” he said.

Gaffigan, mother of five and comedy writing partner of husband Jim Gaffigan, revisits her 2017 diagnosis with a life-threatening brain tumor, her arduous surgery and recovery, and her renewed gratitude for God, family, and friends. Her book debuted on The New York Times bestseller list.

According to her husband in the book's foreword, "I am excited for as many people as possible to read the story of this incredible woman, who writes with such humor and vulnerability about a time when she and I feared things were not going to be good. After having traveled down this path with my own family, I have come to realize that so many of us have gone through a loved one’s life-or-death medical crisis, but those accounts of how they kept themselves sane during such a scary time are rarely shared publicly. I wish I had a book like this..."

Gaffigan is a director, producer and comedy writer. She co-wrote seven comedy specials with her husband Jim Gaffigan, the last 5 of which received Grammy nominations She was the head writer and executive producer of the critically acclaimed The Jim Gaffigan Show which was loosely based on her and Jim’s life. She collaborated with Jim on the two New York Times Bestsellers, "Dad is Fat" and "Food a Love Story." With the help of her two eldest children and some other crazy moms, she created The Imagine Society, Inc., a not for profit organization that connects youth-led service groups.

The Christophers, a nonprofit founded in 1945 by Maryknoll Father James Keller, is rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition of service to God and humanity. The ancient Chinese proverb—“It’s better to light one candle than to curse the darkness”— guides its publishing, radio, and awards programs. More information about The Christophers is available at www.christophers.org.