DEAR ABBY: I’m hoping that you can help me. My sister and I are distanced from each other. We haven’t spoken since the passing of our mother three years ago. Today I learned that she has been diagnosed with stage-3 cancer.

Of course, this has hit me hard. I want to reach out, but I’m not sure how to go about it. She has blocked me from her social media and won’t accept my calls. I need to let her know that I’m here for her. Please advise how to approach this. — TRYING IN THE MIDWEST

DEAR TRYING: Whatever caused the rift with your sister, it is clearly more serious than “distancing.” If you put your thoughts and feelings in a letter to her, it will let her know that you love her, are concerned about her diagnosis and ready to do whatever she will allow you to do to help.

That’s all you can do. After that, the ball is in her court. I hope it works.

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Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.