What happens when an inspiring boy uses the four powerful values of Hope, Faith, Courage and Love to overcome adversity?First-time young author Matthew Epp is all too familiar with this. Since the age of two, the boy from Fiske, Saskatchewan has successfully combated a rare form of cancer. But now, the 14-year-old is fighting the cancer relapse of his life. He has one dream left - to get his message out.
Matthew's message, chronicled in his book Hope & the Dragon provides young cancer patients with something they’ve never had: a powerful story written by one of their peers, offering the strength to beat the illness.
Hope & the Dragon is the story about a boy undergoing surgery to remove a tumor who dreams of a magical land. While a dragon becomes the metaphor for the cancer, the boy receives four special powers to slay the demon: Hope, Faith, Courage and Love. Beautifully illustrated by Calgary artist Maris Chisholm, Hope & the Dragon explores a personal life story – from surviving a major illness to embracing the support of loved ones. Order Now or Donate a Book
"I have Hope, Faith and Courage on my side and Love standing guard at my back. No Dragon in the world is a match for all that," says the boy in the book, based on Matthew's own courageous journey.
Matthew Epp was 11 years old when he wrote Hope & the Dragon at Camp Circle O' Friends in 2005. His grandmother entered his book in Aaspirations Publishing's The Write Contest in 2006 and his enchanting story swept the competition away. As winner of The Write Contest, Matthew was presented with a cash prize of $100 as well as the joy of seeing his book in print. A companion documentary entitled Matthew’s Story was produced during the launch of the book and is based on the life story of Matthew, and features a Hope & the Dragon read-a-long component where you can read the book along with Matthew. Part of the proceeds of each book and DVD sold, go towards cancer research. Praise for Hope & the Dragon:
"(Matthew's) message of Hope, Faith and Courage is an inspiration to those battling their own dragons".
Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada
“Matthew Epp's Hope & the Dragon gives readers new insight into the business of being alive and shows us all that the treasure of a life well-lived is awarded only to those who find the courage to confront their dragons." Gail Bowen, award-winning author of the Joanne Kilburn Murder Mystery Novels
Call it The Secret, The Power of Positive Thinking, Mind over Matter – the truth is that even though he lives with constant, tremendous pain, his positive attitude has kept him alive. Now 14 years old, Matthew is the living embodiment of his book - bravely continuing his battle with Wilm's Tumor, cancer of the kidney. In 2004, doctors stopped conventional treatment for his cancer, and told his family to take it a day at a time. Matthew lives in Fiske, Saskatchewan with his parents Nicole and Dwayne, and two siblings, seven year-old Christian and five year-old Emma. |
