Jake Bailey: What Cancer Taught Me

by Jake Bailey

‘None of us get out of life alive, so be gallant, be great, be gracious, and be grateful for the opportunities you have.’


Jake Bailey’s inspirational end-of-year speech as head boy at Christchurch Boys’ High School was delivered from a wheelchair just one week after he was diagnosed with the most aggressive of cancers. As he lay in hospital fighting to stay alive, his speech grabbed headlines around the world.


Jake’s cancer, and that speech, became the start of a bigger journey that continues today. In this remarkably honest account of his illness, treatment and recovery, Jake shares all that the experience has taught him. His book is an uplifting call to action for people of all ages.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Family, Autobiography

Paperback

Published May 15, 2017

Reviews

[Melissa Pearl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a journey.
I respect Jake’s courage and honesty to share his story, and I truly admire his awesome perspective on life.
There are some great take aways from this book.
Highly recommended.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

JAKE BAILEY: WHAT CANCER TAUGHT ME
This book is extraordinary, Jake faces his illness, life and mortality, with an insightful maturity. Last year at Christchurch Boys High prize giving Jake inspired his school and New Zealand, with his speech, he was frail and wheelchair bound with Stage 4 Burkitt non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Jake told his fellow students that "none of us get out of life alive. So be gallant, be great, be gracious and be grateful for the opportunities that you have."
This is Jake's story in his own words, it’s a powerful narrative and very inspirational. This is the story of an inspirational young man . Highly recommended

[Bettynz (Larraine) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read in 2 sittings. Helped me understand what my 10yr old gr-nephew Roo is currently going through. As of today he has finished his first cycle & begins the next in 12 days. Doctors are confident the cancer is already dramatically reduced. Jake has the ability to speak for others like Roo & let us into what they may be currently unable to put into words. It also gives me hope for remission & complete recovery.

[Jayne Downes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Christchurch Boys High School head boy Jake Bailey made a speech at his school prize giving
delivering it from a wheelchair because he was fighting cancer and it made world headlines. Jake has written this book about his illness, treatment and recovery. It is interesting that Jake now lives in Australia and delivers inspirational speeches. This book will interest other young adults especially those being treated for cancer.

[Jody · Rating 3 out of 5]

I needed something to get me out of my latest book hang over, and the excerpt of this book grabbed my attention enough for me to continue the story. Working in cancer research, sometimes it's nice remember our work is more than test tubes and lab coats - we are working to help people. I'm not really sure why Jake Baileys story has captured so many people - thousands of other unacknowledged people battle with cancer every day - but it has, and I was curious to see what this young man felt was worth writing about.

This is a pretty raw account of his journey with cancer and trying to find his way once he was in remission. It's short, and honest and simple. I hadn't realised how completely riddled with cancer he was at the time of his famous speech, and it's astonishing how effective the chemotherapy was, but it wasn't an easy journey for him.

Without wanting to insult Jake and his battle, I did catch myself wondering how different his story would have been if he wasn't Head Boy at an expensive school with parents wealthy enough to bring him McDonald's every day and take him to the Gold Coast once in remission. We do have universal health care here in NZ, but it is not exactly equal for everyone. However, he does come across as humble and grateful for what he has in his life, and he seems like a genuinely nice guy.

"Live life to full" is something we are constantly told, and I guess that means different things for everyone, but Jake is definitely doing the best he can to do this, and leave some sort of legacy behind. It's not an amazingly well written book, but it does make you realise how lucky I am right now that my family and I are healthy.

"...be gallant, be great, be gracious and be grateful....." .........not a bad way to live a life.

[Amelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting foray into the life of a teenager with cancer, who seems to have come through it with his sense of humour intact, largely thanks to his awesome support networks.
Can't say I found anything in the book that "cancer taught him", but I appreciated his insightfulness into his good and bad fortune in terms of diagnosis and treatment, and his clear-eyed look at his situation.
I am hopeful Jake remains well as I feel he could go a really long way - he is well spoken, determined, and intelligent.

[Fiona R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jake Bailey's speech at CBHS, delivered just one week after he was diagnosed with the most aggressive of cancers, made international headlines after going viral. This is Jake's story of his illness and of the life that he went on to live in remission.
I read this memoir over the course of a few days - laughed and cried as he recounted all he endured alongside his blessings, and I found myself thinking about it/him throughout the day as I was driving or cooking dinner.
What sticks with me more than his cancer "journey" is the way he lives his life - fully in the present. It's a courageous life led without constraint and without fear of failure. I can't help but be inspired to be even a little braver in my everyday life and to do my very best to avoid treading water.
This adversity shaped the life Jake leads today, and he has drawn on his experiences to help others and to make his mark on the world.
The book is an inspirational read and its author clearly an exceptional man whose future I hope will be all he dreams of.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember the first time I saw Jake Bailey speak at Christchurch Boys' High School Prize Giving on my television while I was watching the news with my family in 2015. He had only just begun chemo for Burkitt’s non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, so he was gaunt, ghostly and wide-eyed, making us feel dumbstruck and sorry for his situation. Yet, as he spoke, his courage and ambition and love for life was obvious and absolutely inspiring. Reading Jake Bailey: What cancer taught me brought together the full story, from the very beginning of his diagnosis through to his remission. He offers not only a perspective on dealing with cancer, but the importance of persistence and living life in the present because tomorrow is never guaranteed. Refreshing, sweetly humoured, and always to the point, I am, as well as New Zealand, extraordinarily thankful Jake Bailey got to share this story. “If you start your day with the outlook of it being another day that you’re lucky to have, very little can go wrong.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was recommended this book when my 18 year old daughter was diagnosed with cancer for the second time. It was suggested because last time she was a small child and now a young adult. Living in Christchurch I knew about Jake and when reading the book I knew a lot of what he was talking about. I enjoyed his perspective and found it a good read. I hope Meg will read it once she is more comfortable with her diagnosis. So if you find you are walking in my shoes it's a non-threatening introduction to cancer from the eyes of a teenager.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I, like many all over the world, was captivated by the speech Jake Bailey gave at his New Zealand high-school graduation while his life hung in the balance. His courage, his fight, and his grace inspired me. This book, written once Jake was in remission, is an account of an 18 year old boy who found his word upended by a cancer diagnosis, who fought for his life, and tells what he has learned in the process. "None of us get out of life alive, so be gallant, be great, be gracious, and be grateful for the opportunities that you have."

[Miz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I donated my high school a trophy!
I wish that cancer would f*** right off. Let me tell you, it's been a year in our circle of some/numerous horrid news so, while I wanted to read this book, I kept pushing it away.
But the guy who came to mine (everyone's?) attention due to his high school head boy prizegiving speech, wrote a good book. The process of treatment in such a short period of time was mind-blowing ...
But he's more than just cancer. And there lies the beauty of this book.

[Carly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story. I remember when Jake’s speech went viral and it was so crazy to see someone so close to home going through so much. He recently stayed at my Aunty and uncles when he was in my home town talking to the schools, and gave a signed copy to them. I feel privileged to be able to read his story and the positive way he went through it. Truely inspiring. It opens your eyes to life and how easily things can change. Live it right.

[Sonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a book, what an inspiring story. Jake is so wise, well beyond his years & the brutal honesty he, and his mother, share in this book is to be appreciated, when so many current media celebrities present such a shallow view of the world. Thank you Jake for sharing your personal story & all the best for continuing ongoing god health.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jake Bailey's book is about his battle with an aggressive form of cancer, his inspiring end of year school speech that went viral and the aftermath of his treatment. He also gives some sound advice for people who are visiting a cancer patient, some definitions or explanations as to what the medical terms are and what some procedures involve. A great read as well as inspiring.

[Alison Hoffmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d seen Jake’s speech on Facebook. Having been through cancer, I wondered what I’d think of this book when a friend loaned it to me. I finished it in one night. Jake offers a raw, honest and sometimes funny account of what having cancer was like for him. I could relate to much of what he has written.

[Laura Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW.
I rewrote the first line of this review at least five times before realising that there aren't words for what this book has to give you. I am saddened for those fighting and who have lost this battle, and am inspired by more than just Jake's unstoppable positivity.
READ IT!!!!!!!

[Mariana Mahood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read if you have cancer or are close to a cancer patient. Written by an 18 year old so obviously not thinking about dying yet, has some humour and tips. I found rather boring all the letters from his mum that were included.

[Donna Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliantly honest, easy to read. I am just so thankful for mine and my children's good health.

Thank you for your courage to share your story Jake.

[Casey Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy reading, informative and inspiring. Loved Jakes honesty in his memoir, will be recommending to others for sure.

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Cancer goes viral. #3wordbookreview

An incredible story.

[Kayla Luke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was actually dreading reading this because I thought it was going to be some kind of motivational self help book. I'm glad it wasn't. Good book. All the best.

[Francesca Pashby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just an average kid with the bad luck to get cancer ... but got to admire his openness, his courage, his family's courage, and his wonderful message of live for the NOW and have an open mindset.

[Leonie Stephenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually 4 1/2 stars

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book to read. I haven't actually watched his speech yet, but I definitely will now.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic easy to read book of an inspirational young man. He tells it like it is.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good easy-to-read book which I recommend to young and old

[Toni Greenwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story. Something I could relate to, as I had a son go through a similar cancer

[Zoe Litchfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspirational! Loved every page!

[Suzanne Henwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing inspirational read.

I couldn’t stop reading

[Dave Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was moved by this account of Jake's cancer battle. Related to so much of it.