Archived from Charlotte Gerson's booklet

Story

   "Dear Charlotte,

   "Nearly three years ago, in desperation, I [first] called you for
help. I was quick to call on you whenever I needed to. I have not
been quick to thank you for saving my life. I know that that's
what you did.

   "I read Max Gerson's original Cancer Therapy years ago but as
it involved such an intensive therapy and since I didn't have
cancer, it didn't occur to me to apply it (to) myself until I heard
you speak in San Diego in I986 and learned there was a 'less
intensive' therapy for non-cancer patients.

   "My problems included asthma and continuous yeast infection.
I'd been to a myriad of doctors (the same old story - they just
made it worse). I called you, got you on the phone personally, and
asked for your advice. You said people weren't usually willing to
go on the therapy for non-life threatening conditions such as
mine. I was willing. For, while it is possible to stay alive with
occasional asthma attacks and constant yeast infection, life is not
worth living. I was already a natural foodist so it wasn't a great
leap into unknown waters for me.

   "One of the first things you asked me was if I was taking birth
control pills. I said I had taken them for seven years but I tried
stopping for a while and it didn't help. I remember your answer
very clearly. You said that's like a smoker quitting after be already
has cancer and wondering why the cancer does not go away. It
was like a slap in the face. It woke me up to what I had to do to
get my health back. I bought the new edition of A Cancer Therapy
and dove into the less intensive Gerson Therapy.

   "I got no help from friends and acquaintances. They considered
it outlandish, faddish, faith healing; they were sure it wouldn't
work, they scorned the idea, they chided me. None of them, of
course, bothered to read the book.

   "I only did the therapy fully for ten weeks, after which I eased
off partially, due to other demands on my time. To you and your
staff I was only another voice on the phone, but you were always
there to answer questions and give encouragement and reassurance
even though you have people with much more severe problems
calling you from all over the country.

   "I read an article in the San Diego Union accusing you of
evangelizing. I don't know what they're talking about. You always
told me what I wanted to know, no more and no less. You didn't
try to sell me anything. The message I got was - help yourself.
Feel free to use our knowledge but you know best what feels right
to you. I didn't find you rigid. I found that you are constantly
revising and developing the therapy as you learn more about
individual cases.

   "I have since then and will always follow what is basically a
Gerson diet with a few revisions of my own I have found helpful.
My asthma went away after a few months and has never returned.
The yeast infection went away very slowly with many flare-ups in
the beginning, but gradually disappearing altogether. Those aren't
the only changes. I feel healthier (at age 28) than ever. I have that
indescribable sense of total well-being. I never get a cold or flu. I
never have pain. I wake up some mornings feeling ecstatic - just
the sheer joy of physical health. I am in control of my own health.
I know how to recognize and respond to my body's needs. These
are things most people wouldn't understand. But I know you do.

   "Those of us who have experienced the results know the true
meaning of your work. I am eternally grateful that I crossed your
path. Thank you for being there.

   "Sincerely,

   Susan Smith"