Knives on the Cutting Edge: The Great Chefs' Dining Revolution

“O’Hara and her husband, Dan, try to make the best of a tragedy―their daughter’s death from brain cancer at age 13―by sharing her story. They start by quoting Shannon: “My life is going to mean something to someone, somewhere.” They saw a doctor seven days after their daughter first complained of a headache and quickly received the depressing, but correct, diagnosis. Readers with terminally ill children or those who know or work with such families will find the O’Haras’ email messages to their loved ones and a year’s worth of blog entries inspiring on many levels. Some families may decide to chronicle their journey, too. On their “darkest day,” when their ice hockey-playing daughter died on January 6, 2012, some 11,000 people viewed the O’Haras’ blog post. In her thoughtful afterword, Dr. Cynthia Wetmore of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital writes that the O’Haras are so dedicated to helping find a cure that they delivered Shannon’s tumor to her after her death. That donation, and this book, may help other families channel their grief in a positive way.” ― Booklist

“Only nine months after her initial diagnosis, 12-year-old Shannon O’Hara succumbed to her diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), a kind of brain tumor. To keep family and friends updated, her mother, Jen, … and father, Dan, started a blog shortly after the diagnosis. Drawn from that original blog, with additional notes and photos, this book is a tribute to Shannon’s memory and a testament to Jen and Dan’s experiences. Additionally, neuro-oncologist Cynthia Wetmore (St. Jude Children’s Research Hosp.) provides a short overview of what DIPG is and how researchers are working to stop this particularly aggressive cancer. VERDICT For readers looking for a medical discussion of childhood cancers, Jeanne Munn’s Children with Cancer: A Comprehensive Reference Guide for Parents is a better resource. Although some readers may embrace this as the story of a family coming together in the wake of a tremendous tragedy, others may be put off by the tragic ending of a young life. Recommended for those able to find a sense of purpose in this heart-wrenching story.” ― Library Journal

“A brave, beautiful, bittersweet book; you will be a better person for reading it.” ― Julie Jones, Radio Personality, Rochester, MN

“Determined to Matter is beautifully put together and is absolutely heart rending to read. Jen and Dan are so honest and open with their family’s battle.” — Rachel Schuldt, Executive Director Minnesota Wild Foundation

“This is a remarkable story of a remarkable family who faced cancer and death of their daughter Shannon – an all too common experience for families. Reading this book helps us to be in touch with our own experiences with cancer and other health crisis experienced by our family and friends. Shannon, her journey and this story matters.” ― Margaret Perryman, President/CEO, Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare, St. Paul, MN

“…a beautiful, honest expression of what a family goes through. They warn that it’s not sugar-coated. It’s not, and that’s why it’s so good. It’s full of the range of emotions anyone would feel. Dan and Jen express it all.” ― Mike Dougherty, Post-Bulletin, Rochester, MN

“While she may be gone, she is certainly not forgotten.'” ― Paul Christian, Post-Bulletin, Rochester, MN

“Hundreds of people kept up on Shannon’s condition as her parents, Dan and Jennifer O’Hara, chronicled their daughter’s final months in an honest, heart-wrenching online journal…Much like her passion for life and sense of humor, Shannon is remembered for her strength and determination.” ― Christina Killion Valdez, Post-Bulletin, Rochester, MN

“Determined to Matter by Jen O’Hara is the compelling story of a family dealing with the diagnosis of their 12-year-old daughter, Shannon, with an inoperable brain tumor. Most of the book is taken straight from the blog entries made daily by Jen and her husband, Dan, as they kept family and friends updated on their situation, but at the beginning of each chapter Jen O’Hara writes something of what it is like to look back on those blog entries from the perspective of a mother who has lost her child. These passages are especially poignant. …The last half of the book tugs at the heartstrings as the reader walks with the family through Shannon’s decline and passing, as well as witnesses their grief and valiant efforts at getting on with their lives. Determined to Matter is a good read for anyone lacking in appreciation for those special people in their lives. It is a reminder to all to look around and really see what wonderful things those we love bring into our world.” ― Compass Book Ratings

“Determined to Matter is a heartfelt story of facing death at a young age, and the trials that family members of a gravely ill young adult endure.” ― Midwest Book Review

“O’Hara and her husband, Dan, try to make the best of a tragedy―their daughter’s death from brain cancer at age 13―by sharing her story. …Readers…will find the O’Haras’ email messages to their loved ones and a year’s worth of blog entries inspiring on many levels. …In her thoughtful afterword, Dr. Cynthia Wetmore of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital writes that the O’Haras are so dedicated to helping find a cure that they delivered Shannon’s tumor to her after her death. That donation, and this book, may help other families channel their grief in a positive way.” ― Booklist

“Drawn from that original blog, with additional notes and photos, this book is a tribute to Shannon’s memory and a testament to Jen and Dan’s experiences. …readers may embrace this as the story of a family coming together in the wake of a tremendous tragedy… Recommended for those able to find a sense of purpose in this heart-wrenching story.” ― Library Journal

“A brave, beautiful, bittersweet book; you will be a better person for reading it.” ― Julie Jones, Radio Personality, Rochester, MN

“Determined to Matter is beautifully put together and is absolutely heart rending to read. Jen and Dan are so honest and open with their family’s battle.” — Rachel Schuldt, Executive Director Minnesota Wild Foundation

“This is a remarkable story of a remarkable family who faced cancer and death of their daughter Shannon – an all too common experience for families. Reading this book helps us to be in touch with our own experiences with cancer and other health crisis experienced by our family and friends. Shannon, her journey and this story matters.” ― Margaret Perryman, President/CEO, Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare, St. Paul, MN

“The last half of the book tugs at the heartstrings as the reader walks with the family through Shannon’s decline and passing, as well as witnesses their grief and valiant efforts at getting on with their lives. Determined to Matter is a good read for anyone lacking in appreciation for those special people in their lives. It is a reminder to all to look around and really see what wonderful things those we love bring into our world.” ― Compass Book Ratings

“Determined to Matter is a heartfelt story of facing death at a young age, and the trials that family members of a gravely ill young adult endure.” ― Midwest Book Review

“…a beautiful, honest expression of what a family goes through. They warn that it’s not sugar-coated. It’s not, and that’s why it’s so good. It’s full of the range of emotions anyone would feel. Dan and Jen express it all.” ― Mike Dougherty, Post-Bulletin, Rochester, MN

“While she may be gone, she is certainly not forgotten.” ― Paul Christian, Post-Bulletin, Rochester, MN

“Hundreds of people kept up on Shannon’s condition as her parents, Dan and Jennifer O’Hara, chronicled their daughter’s final months in an honest, heart-wrenching online journal…Much like her passion for life and sense of humor, Shannon is remembered for her strength and determination.” ― Christina Killion Valdez, Post-Bulletin, Rochester, MN

Dan O’Hara is the husband of Jen O’Hara, father of Shannon & Erin O’Hara, and of course, master of Sunny the wonder dog. After earning a BS in Mass Communications from St. Cloud State University, Dan spent 13 years in local television as Sports Director at KTTC TV, Rochester, MN. Today he is a Sales Executive in the Transportation/Trucking industry. Dan’s passions are his golf, his backyard and his Minnesota sports teams. Dan continues to wear his heart on his sleeve. Together, Dan and Jen wrote the original blog about their journey through these difficult times, and some blog excerpts in the book are credited to him.