Ian Gawler : The Dragon's Blessing

Before Lance Armstrong and his bike, there was Ian Gawler and his inspirational fight for survival against cancer. At the end of 1974 Dr Ian Gawler, an ambitious young veterinarian and athlete, developed bone cancer in his right leg. The leg was amputated at the hip. The following year, the cancer spread to his pelvis and chest. Gawler was told that nothing could be done for him and, at his lowest ebb, that he had only weeks to live.

Gawler refused to give up, and began studying meditation and following a strict diet, pursuing an intense regime of research, introspection and personal development. Against all odds and prognoses, his cancer began to retreat and he was eventually declared clear of cancer in 1978.

In 1984 Ian Gawler's legendary bestseller, You Can Conquer Cancer, was published. It went on to sell nearly 200 000 copies in over 13 languages and continues to inspire people all around the world. Today Ian Gawler is a world-renowned pioneer in the therapeutic application of mind/body medicine and meditation and The Gawler Foundation, a residential program for cancer patients and their families, continues to offer residential programs and day workshops and is run by a staff of 40. Thousands of people have passed through The Foundation's doors and there are countless stories by patients of lives lengthened, quality of life improved and cancers in remission.

Ian Gawler has been approached by a number of people over the years offering to write his biography, but he's never agreed - until now. Over hours of interviews and in extracts from his diaries, Gawler reveals for the first time many aspects of his amazing story. Ian Gawler: The Dragon's Blessing is an honest, unflinching and illuminating portrait of an unorthodox, compassionate and courageous Australian, whose own journey has been an inspiration to the lives of so many others. This book will inspire many more.

Author Biography: Guy Allenby is a Sydney-based journalist. He graduated from university in Canberra and began his writing career working for a trade journal and penning reviews and features for Australia's rock papers in his spare time. For the Sydney Morning Herald he has written on subjects ranging from architecture and design to travel, television and health. He was also the editor of the Herald's Domain section. His first book, Eight Great Houses (Pesaro Publishing), was published in 2002. Guy has also written for The Australian and a number of national and international titles. Ian Gawler: The Dragon's Blessing is his first biography.