Todd Irwin refers to his life before and after cancer. Even though he spent fifty-six years cancer-free, the two and a half years during which he battled cancer were defining. More than 1,000 miles away, Glenn Thornton struggled with addiction and grieved the unexpected death of his child, but he soon discovered a renewed purpose for his life. In I Lived Because I Was Loved, Irwin shares the story of his battle with cancer, and Thornton shares his story of donating stem cells that helped save Irwin's life. In addition, Marie, Irwin's wife, offers her perspective of his cancer journey and recovery. Through these recollections, this memoir tells how the two families met and forged a bond, saving each other's lives in the name of love. This true story illustrates how love and kindness helped strangers face their own tragedies.