DURANGO, Colo. – Wesley D. Stein, author of a new novel for young adults, Son of the Sword: The River of Doors, will host a book signing/fundraiser Sept. 22, 6:30 p.m. at Maria’s Bookshop. A portion of the book’s royalties will be donated to the Von Hipple Lindau research and advocacy group, the VHL Alliance.

When Stein first learned his wife had been diagnosed with the rare genetic disease called VHL, he was just finishing his debut novel, Son of the Sword. Following the book’s release in May, Stein and his wife Melissa also found out their daughter Chloe, age 6, had inherited the disease as well.

Von Hipple Lindau, (VHL) is a rare mutation of the VHL gene, which suppresses tumors in blood vessels. Without it, small tumors form in the retinas, spine, brain, pancreas and kidneys. Stein’s wife has been treated for tumors in each of her retinas, and is currently monitoring growths in her pancreas and brain. Chloe has not developed any tumors, but the manifestations of the disease usually come with adolescence.

Stein and his wife have decided to donate 10 percent of the book’s royalties to the VHL Alliance, hoping one day, Son of the Sword can fund the research needed to find a cure for their family. Stein believes it’s possible, noting that his story is all about overcoming impossible circumstances, a message Stein plans to drive home to young readers.

“I want to inspire young people,” said Stein. “When I look at my daughter, I see a girl who could grow up and find a cure for cancer. If she lives passionately, something young people find it hard to do these days, she can do anything.”

In the book, Stein depicts the story of Ellum, a boy who must shed the stigma of a passionless existence and rescue his father from the gallows, learning to embody a life of adventure with which he is not familiar. While on the arduous journey to the Kingdom, Ellum meets a mysterious swordsman known as the Flyer, who teaches Ellum and his friends about how the universe works, showing them the connection of all things. Soon, the companions enter the River of Doors, the meeting place of all existence, and their lives will be changed forever. The similarities between the journey of Ellum and of those battling cancer are eerie, considering Stein began crafting his tome years before his wife was diagnosed with VHL.

Stein plans to not only use the sales of his book to raise funds for VHL, but to also use the story of Ellum to inspire young people all over the country –  inspire them to fight, inspire them to write, inspire them to follow their dreams. The Durango event kicks off a multi-day tour that includes planned visits in New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Florida, Tennessee and New York. Speaking engagements are scheduled at bookstores, schools and hospitals.

“It’s not just about selling books,” Stein said. “I mean, obviously, the more we sell, the more money we raise not only for the VHL Alliance, but for our family as well - and believe me, with our medical costs, we need all we can get - but it’s more about convincing the next generation they can realize their childhood dreams.”

Stein works locally as a news broadcaster at Four Corners Broadcasting, delivering the morning news on KIQX, KRSJ and KIUP. Reach him at wes@radiodurango.com. For further information on Von Hipple Lindau, visit www.vhl.org.

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