Redding resident urges not to forget health & well-being Inbox

Graphic designer, Joan Peckolick, a resident of Redding CT and family advocate for more than 40 years, has devoted much of her time and talents to helping others not to forget.

Her latest project The Don’t Forget Book is a useful, hands-on journal that does just that — continuing a story of service that began when she was 9 years old. Her uncle had passed away from cancer and she wanted to help in some way. So she bought some alphabet noodles and toothpicks, paid for by the savings in her piggy bank, glued them together, sold them as name pins, and donated what she raised to The American Cancer Society. An award-winning graphic designer, Joan continues to adapt the ABCs to achieve her goals.

The Don’t Forget Book features 32 pages of 4-color illustrated quotations designed by the author, and a portion of the proceeds from sales will be donated to Selfchec.org, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded by Joan in 1998. Its mission is saving lives by raising awareness and reminding all of us not to forget to do our early detection self-checks and take the preventative actions that will help keep us healthy.

Joan notes, “For those of us who do forget, can’t find our mobile phone right away and don’t have opposable thumbs that work very well, The Don’t Forget Book is a blessing, and it doesn’t vibrate at night. In it, you can gather the Who, What, When, Where, Whys and Hows of life’s challenges.” The book, published under the Three Tomatoes imprint, will be available online in spring 2021, just in time for Mother’s Day. 

Last year, Joan collaborated on Eat the Rainbow, an interactive book that talks to children ages 4-8 about healthy actions — exercising, using sunscreen, relaxing, and eating the rainbow — that lead to long, productive lives as they grow up. When she’s not on the phone with other advocates, influencers, Self Chec volunteers, and supporters, Joan is forever growing what began with a few alphabet noodles and a desire to help. For more information, visit www.selfchec.org or sign up for the free newsletter here.

Until 1998, Joan Peckolick was an award-winning graphic designer and art director. As president of Joan of Art, she was the first woman to speak at the Tulsa Oklahoma Art Directors Club. Prior to that, she was a costume designer for an off-off Broadway show and the art director for Working Woman magazine and redesign for The Russian Tea Room. Throughout her career, Joan has always been an advocate of the family, endorsed by Dr. Benjamin Spock and others. In the 1980s-90s, she created the prototype for Single Parent Family magazine, and Tuning In, a video guide for parents and children.