When Adam Robarts’ son, Haydn, began to experience headaches, blurred vision and nausea in July 2019, an MRI revealed a tumor at the base of his brain.

His diagnosis kickstarted a remarkable journey into uncharted territory as the young man and his family proceeded to move forward one step at a time. Written from the father’s perspective, Nineteen is a story about love and hope that results from one family’s encounter with heartache and loss during their 19-year-old son’s journey with brain cancer.

The Anti-Cancer Diet: A Survivor’s Guide to Healthy Eating

Released on May 17 during National Cancer Research month, Nineteen captures the 19 poignant lessons the author learned from accompanying his son as he navigated unprecedented circumstances and endured two brain surgeries, multiple rounds of chemotherapy and radiation, a clinical trial, and some periods of progress. Just one week short of his 20th birthday, Haydn passed away within nine months of his diagnosis. Though it took a Himalayan effort, Haydn gave it everything he could and reached the summit—just not in the way anyone imagined.

The heartfelt book takes readers along Haydn’s path, sharing intimate family moments alongside universal lessons the author learned while watching his teenage son face his physical demise with grace, love and gratitude.

Nineteen retails for $21.99 and is available at Target, Barnes & Noble, Amazon and other retailers. For more information and to purchase, click here.

Kamala Kirk is a University of Southern California graduate and has been an editor/writer for more than a decade. She has written for E! Online, Total Beauty, TravelAge West, Malibu Times Magazine, and many more. She resides in Los Angeles and is a proud pug mom. Follow her on Instagram: @kamalakirk