You Don't Have to Die (1988)

A young boy's successful battle against cancer and his subsequent efforts to help other children overcome their fears of the illness.

Directors:

Malcolm Clarke, Bill Guttentag

Writers:

Malcolm Clarke, Bill Guttentag

Stars:

Jason Gaes, Adam Gaes, Craig Gaes

Won 2 Oscars.

Cast

Credited cast:
Jason Gaes	...	Himself
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Adam Gaes	...	Himself
Craig Gaes	...	Himself
Geralyn Gaes	...	Herself
Melissa Gaes	...	Herself
Tim Gaes	...	Himself

Storyline

At age six, Jason Gaes became ill with Burkitt's lymphoma, a form of cancer so fast-developing that a tumor in his abdomen grew from the size of a golf ball to the size of a grapefruit in the time it took to drive across Minnesota to the Mayo Clinic. He talks about the two-year series of chemotherapy and radiation treatments and surgery which led to his recovery, and about the book he wrote - illustrated by his older brother Adam and his twin brother Tim - in which he tried to help other children with cancer deal with their fears and other difficulties related to their illness, particularly emphasizing that they could survive. Jason's family, including his parents Craig and Geralyn, also talk about how they dealt with the crisis.

---

Plot Keywords:

cancer | book | twin | father son relationship | sick child | 

---

Genres:

Documentary | Short | Family

---

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Filming Locations:

Mayo Clinic - 200 First Street SW, Rochester, Minnesota, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Filmworks, Tiger Rose

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Connections

References The Terry Fox Story (1983)

User Reviews

Excellent tearjerker

Excellent film that brought tears to my eyes more then once. It is a documentary of a boy who bravely fought cancer and won. Recommended. See it. You won't forget it.