AUBURN – A nationally-known author, speaker and breast cancer survivor will be the keynote speaker at a presentation set for Wednesday, Oct. 11, at the Hilton Garden Inn.

Christine Clifford Beckwith, a breast cancer survivor who has authored five books, written countless articles, produced an instructional video and spoken widely on therapeutic laughter, will host an “An Evening of Hope, Laughter and Positive Thinking” at a presentation set to begin at 7 p.m. A dessert bar will precede her talk, starting at 6:30 p.m. Following the event, she will be on hand to sign her books, which will be for sale.

Central Maine Medical Center’s Sam and Jennie Bennett Breast Care Center and AstraZeneca Inc. are cosponsoring the event. Admission is free.

In November 1994, Beckwith was happily married with two children and working as a senior executive vice president and top salesperson for SPAR Marketing Services, an international information and merchandising services firm.

In her immediate family, she has dealt with heart disease, diabetes, dialysis and kidney transplant, hepatitis, chronic depression and drug abuse.

Beckwith has had more than 2,000 media appearances, including Better Homes and Gardens, American Health and Golf Digest. Named a “Hero Award” finalist by Coping, she has appeared on CNN Live as “one of the world’s leading authorities on the use of therapeutic humor.”

In 2002 she was awarded the certified speaking professional designation from the National Speakers Association annual convention in Orlando, Fla. She is a CSP member of the National Speakers Association, Minnesota Speakers Association, the Association of Applied and Therapeutic Humor, the National Association of Breast Cancer Organizations and is listed in International Who’s Who of Professionals, the International Who’s Who of Entrepreneurs and International Who’s Who of Authors and Writers.

She is also listed in “Contemporary Authors” and “2,000 Notable American Women.”

Admission to Oct. 11 presentation is free, but space is limited, so those interested in attending are asked to make reservations by calling the CMMC Sam and Jennie Bennett Breast Care Center at 795-2104.