Synopses & Reviews
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. Youll 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. Youll 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.
Review
“Incredibly life affirming and inspirational. I loved it!”
--Peter Walsh, New York Times bestselling author of Its All Too Much! and Enough Already
“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 Wont 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
Review
“Incredibly life affirming and inspirational. I loved it!”
--Peter Walsh, New York Times bestselling author of Its All Too Much! and Enough Already, as seen on Oprah
“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
“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, as seen on Oprah
Synopsis
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 each of the people in this book had to answer. Each individual tells his or her amazing story, in an honest, first-person perspective that provides a depth you would never see otherwise. Inside, you'll meet Zac York, who tells of climbing Mount Whitney--on crutches--after battling brain cancer. You'll meet Jessica Myers, who had to cope with her boyfriend's callous reaction as she struggled with thyroid cancer. And you'll meet Rob Dooley, who fought brain cancer and was left with major cognitive deficits--including short-term memory loss--but never let that get in his way of obtaining a college diploma and entering graduate school.
You'll also get to know and come to love seventeen others, who tell their captivating stories in their own words. It's all here--struggles, triumphs, friendships, love, breakups, relapses. Twenty unique and fascinating stories, with one common theme--childhood cancer. They'll make you smile, make you cry, and fill you with hope.
Synopsis
"Perseverance" chronicles the trials and tribulations of a group of young people who are living with cancer. Rubenstein tells of their triumphs and of the unique challenges that day-to-day life brings them.
About the Author
Eight years ago, CAROLYN RUBENSTEIN founded Carolyns Compassionate Children (CCC), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides emotional and financial resources to childhood cancer survivors. Over the past five years, CCC has awarded 80 college scholarships to childhood cancer survivors.
As an undergraduate at Duke, Carolyn majored in psychology and conducted research examining quality of life for adolescent survivors of childhood cancer. A Phi Beta Kappa and summa cum laude graduate, Carolyn will begin a doctorate program in clinical psychology at Harvard this fall. She will continue to expand her child advocacy work and make more resources available to childhood cancer survivors.