Thanks to Jake Bailey and Christchurch Boys High School.
November 16, 2015
Just one week before his final school assembly, Christchurch Boys High School’s Head Boy, Jake Bailey, was told that he may not have long to live.
The 18 year old NZ student was bed-ridden and absent from school for three weeks while undergoing treatment for aggressive cancer.
But during his final school prize-giving ceremony he managed to give an inspirational speech from his wheelchair.
“None of us get out of life alive, so be gallant, be great, be gracious and be grateful for the opportunities you have” Jake told his audience.
The school listened in silence as he told of his diagnosis with Burkitts non-Hodgkinson lymphoma, one of the fastest growing tumours.
See link from The New Daily to story and video of speech below:

John Menadue
John Menadue is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Pearls and Irritations. He was formerly Secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet under Gough Whitlam and Malcolm Fraser, Ambassador to Japan, Secretary of the Department of Immigration and CEO of Qantas.