Can you imagine being in high school or college and suddenly learning you have cancer? You thought you had a lifetime ahead of you and the whole world at your feet, but suddenly you're told... maybe not. How would you cope?

That's the question the twenty young people in this book had to answer when they were diagnosed with childhood cancer. Perseverance tells of their trials and tribulations, of their triumphs, and of the unique challenges that day-to-day college life brings them. Perseverance also provides an intimate look at the lives and journeys of these young people and how their courage and strength have affected the lives of others.

These honest, first-person accounts lend amazing depth to the inspiring stories of these young men and women. Inside, you'll meet Zac York, who tells of climbing Mount Whitney—on crutches—after battling brain cancer. You'll meet Alex Oden, who—just days after brain surgery—gave his 8th grade peers a graduation speech called "A Day Well Spent," in which he challenged them to make a difference in just one day. You'll meet Kristen Jones, who, while battling leukemia, was able to pass the MCAT and pursue her dream of becoming a pediatric oncologist.

Twenty unique and fascinating stories, with one common theme: perseverance. The stories of these heroes demonstrate how anyone can learn to live with energy and passion, regardless of the obstacles to be faced, and will remind us all that now is everything.

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.



Praise for this book

“Incredibly life affirming and inspirational. I loved it!” —Peter Walsh, New York Times bestselling author of It’s All Too Much! and Enough Already, as seen on Oprah

“Perseverance will move you to tears, teach you to appreciate, and inspire you to persevere.” —Tal Ben-Shahar, New York Times bestselling author of Happier and The Pursuit of Perfect

“Perseverance puts a very human face on courage and strength. Carolyn and the young people she has worked with are an inspiration to us all.” —Gay Hendricks, New York Times bestselling author of The Big Leap and Conscious Living

“With tremendous respect and grace, Carolyn Rubenstein tells the stories of twenty survivors of childhood cancer -- in their own words. Through these real-life tales of survival, Perseverance offers not only great hope to those battling illness or caring for a loved one but also profound insight for all of us seeking to lead a meaningful life.” —Daniel H. Pink, New York Times bestselling author of A Whole New Mind

“Perseverance...is an inspirational story about the joys of living in the moment, courage in the face of extraordinary challenges and the power of love.” —Publishers Weekly

“In Perseverance, Carolyn Rubenstein has passionately gathered together the stories of childhood cancer survivors, and I am humbled by their courage. These kids have managed to keep their ultimate goals in mind, to find the beauty in every waking hour, and to live to the fullest in the face of a terrifying disease. That so many have gone on to thrive in young adulthood is a testament to their strength of spirit and their indomitable nature. Everyone can learn from these stories and the lessons Carolyn has shared with us. Read this book and be inspired!!” —Jon Gordon, international bestselling author of The Energy Bus and Training Camp

“With Perseverance, Carolyn Rubenstein has given us a powerful and inspirational book filled with amazing stories of childhood cancer survivors. This book will touch your heart with tales of hope, challenge, and survival.” —Marshall Goldsmith, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Succession Are You Ready? and What Got You Here Won’t Get You There

“The lives of the young adults in this book are monuments to strength, courage, and resilience. Carolyn Rubenstein has put together a treasure.” —Karen Salmansohn, author of The Bounce Back Book and How to Be Happy, Dammit

“A beautiful and inspiring book. Each page is a gentle reminder that life is a gift and every moment should be celebrated and embraced with passion and gratitude. The lessons shared within these pages are not only for those of us who are fighting cancer but for all of us who struggle to live a life with purpose, joy and meaning.” —Sandra Magsamen, artist and author of Living Artfully

“Perseverance beautifully organizes reminder after reminder that every moment is precious. As a long-time cancer thriver, I would not trade for the resources I was able to tap into by looking at the fragility of my own life. Perseverance serves as a tender wake-up reminder that the present is the future we worried about in the past.” —Marion Luna Brem, international speaker and business guru, author of The 7 Greatest Truths about Successful Women

“Perseverance demonstrates the practical application of hope in everyday life. Its true stories of cancer-conquerors will shed new light on what it means to overcome adversity.” —Kevin Milne, author of The Paper Bag Christmas and The Nine Lessons




About the Author

Carolyn Rubenstein has spent most of her life working with children with cancer. At age 14, Rubenstein started "Carolyn's Compassionate Children" (CCC), a non-profit organization that began as a pen-pal program for kids with cancer. In recent years CCC changed focus to providing scholarships to childhood cancer survivors. A native of Boca Raton, Florida, Carolyn Rubenstein is a graduate of Duke University. She began a PhD program in clinical psychology at Harvard University in the fall of 2008.


Title: Perseverance : True Voices of Cancer Survivors
Author(s): Carolyn Rubenstein
ISBN: 9781429962124
Copyright 2009
Release Date: August 18, 2009
Publisher: Tor Publishing Group
Countries: United States, Canada | Learn more about available countries
Language: English
Format: ePub,mobi | Learn More about our supported formats
Dragonmount is a proud provider of DRM-free eBooks. By purchasing any eBook from our store, you are not only helping support our website, but you are helping small businesses thrive in a market traditionally dominated by large companies. Learn more in our eBook FAQ.