Is Someone You Know
on the Climb of their Life?




Three years after reaching the top of Mt. Everest, Alan came face to face with “The Everest of Illnesses” when he was diagnosed with acute leukemia, an aggressive cancer of the blood, and given less than a year to live. With the help of his then fiancée, Cecilia, he not only survived, but thrived, and the couple emerged all the stronger from their shared trial. This is their inspiring true story of commitment, teamwork and triumph. The first book in the proposed Climb Back from Cancer™ Collection, it offers not only a living example of how to climb back from cancer, but demonstrates how to transform adversity into opportunity. It also includes The 10 Tools of Triumph™ for survivors and caregivers – what Alan and Cecilia consider are the key psychological skills required not only to survive life-threatening illness, but to thrive beyond it.



“Chicken Soup – with wings! This book will take you to new heights.”
– Jack Canfield, Co-Author, Chicken Soup for the Soul®

“An impressive illustration of the power of the mind and the magic of combined commitment.”
– Dr. Carl Simonton, Author, Getting Well Again    

“Proof that one plus one actually equals four.”
– Greg Anderson, Author, Cancer – 50 Essential Things to Do


It’s Time to Climb Back!

A Must-Read for Every Patient, Survivor and Caregiver

About The Authors

Cecilia and Alan Hobson are a vivid study in contrasts. She is a charming southerner, originally from Louisiana, who spent most of her life below sea level in the heat and humidity of New Orleans before moving to Boston to work as a senior marketing executive. He is a charismatic Canadian adventurer, winner of the William Randolph Hearst Award for Excellence in News Writing, international bestselling author of half a dozen books and renowned professional speaker who has been on three expeditions to the bitter cold and rarefied air of Mount Everest.

At the time of Alan’s diagnosis with cancer of the blood and prognosis of less than a year to live, they were only recently engaged. Yet Cecilia stood steadfastly by Alan through his treatment, recovery and triumphant return as one of fewer than a dozen people to attain an elite level of fitness after a blood transplant for acute leukemia. He has now been cancer free for more than five years and is considered medically cured.

“I would never have survived treatment without Cecilia,” Alan says. “She has taught me a great deal about love and commitment.”

“Alan has shown me the incredible power of the human will,” Cecilia says. “He is living proof of his belief that on the other side of fear is freedom.”

After their climb back, the couple married and settled in the majestic Canadian Rockies with their yellow Labrador, Shanti, the Hindi word for peace.


Here’s What Readers Are Saying About Climb Back from Cancer …

"I am a recent breast cancer survivor and I finished this book in two days. It offers something unique and life affirming to patients, survivors and caregivers everywhere! It is well-written, inspirational, and full of hope."
– Lyn Walfish, Survivor, Boston, MA.

"You guys have hit so many points that I stress with my patients. I love it! I will be putting your book on my suggested reading list for my patients."
– Dr. Beth B. DuPree, M.D., Breast Cancer Oncologist & Surgeon,
Langhorne, PA.

"Extremely inspirational! The lessons in this book can be used not only by patients during treatment but in their personal and professional lives as well. It encourages all of us to be proactive to life's situations."
– Tom Fredericks, Chairman of the Board, ECL Group of Companies, Canada

"I could not put this book down. I read the whole think in one sitting. Thanks for the inspiration."
– Todd Margo, Dublin, OH.

"Bravo! I think Climb Back From Cancer should be mandatory reading for any family going through any kind of cancer treatment."
– Dave Slowski, Canada

"Climb Back from Cancer tosses out a rope of hope to all. I could resonate with how their mental climbing tools could help strengthen and lift me out of my own happiness-threating dis-eases!"
– Linda Brown, Canada

"I was amazed how difficult is was to put this book down. It is extremely well written and uplifting. I will be sending a copy to my sister whose husband was recently diagnosed."
– Cyril Spratt, Cambridge, MA.

"I wanted to share what an inspiration your book has been to me. I am a lung cancer survivor almost 7 years in remission.  Thank you Alan and Cecilia for your inspirational story."
– Gerry Davis, Survivor, Canada

"Your 10 Tools of Triumph mirror what we are encouraging people and caregivers to adopt in both our health care provider and family caregiver training programs.  Thank you for continuing to inspire all of us to live life to the fullest."
– Corinne Parker, Alzheimer Society Calgary, Canada

"This book is a force of nature. I am particularly pleased this is not only a "what-to-do-if" book, but also a meditation of how to appreciate our world and our place within it."
– Randy Fletcher, Canada

"I want you to know how much I enjoyed your book. It is very inspirational, educational, and well written. Your 10 Tools of Triumph for survivors and caregivers are right on."
– Dr. Al Ritsema, Ph.D., Psychology, Oshkosh, WI.

“This book is magnificent. The impact it will have and the hope it can give to both patients and loved ones is truly breathtaking. It is enormously important to the thousands of people who have nowhere to turn and who desperately need hope.”
– Maurice O’Callaghan, Canada

“After purchasing your book I have been totally and completely consumed as the pages unfolded before my eyes. It was nothing short of awe inspiring. I walked beside you from start to finish.”
– Sonja Shane, An Inspired Quilt Maker, Pincher Creek, Canada

“My husband and I both recently read your truly wonderful book, Climb Back from Cancer. I cannot tell you how incredibly moved I was by your words. I am undergoing chemotherapy for ovarian cancer. At a time when we were overwhelmed with emotions and fear, reading the intimate and selfless material you both wrote was so very helpful to us. Thank you both for sharing your story in such an meaningful way.”
– Jo Robertson, Vancounver, BC, Canada

To enquire about bulk orders of this book, please contact martin@climbback.com