The Wild Cure From Death to Li

In 2013, three years after the death of his wife, Dean Hall was losing his battle with leukemia and lymphoma. In his mind, he had two choices: Let the cancer have its way or go all-in on a big dream to prove to himself and the world that his diagnosis did not define him.

Dean’s dream? Become the first person in history to swim the entirety of the Willamette, Oregon’s longest river.

His doctors told him it was dangerous. His family told him it was crazy. Others quipped that it was impossible.

And yet, he persisted.

After months of training in the pool, Dean stepped into the headwaters of the Willamette and began the 187-mile journey toward the mouth of the river with nothing but a dream, the drive, and his 79-year-old father in a kayak to lead the way. He could not foresee what would become of his cancer or himself when he started out. All he knew was that if he was going to die, he was going to do it pursuing his dreams.

The Wild Cure is the true story of how a dying man’s impossible ambition became the very thing that had the power to save him. Told through braided interviews, Dean’s story is relived by the family and friends who were closely involved during his journey.

Part memoir, part oral history, The Wild Cure raises the important question—What does it mean to truly be alive?