Activist Quote by Tom McCall
“You all know I have terminal cancer—and I have a lot of it. But what you may not know is that stress induces its spread and induces its activity. Stress may even bring it on. Yet stress is the fuel of the activist. This activist loves Oregon more than he loves life. I know I can't have both very long. The trade-offs are all right with me. But if the legacy we helped give Oregon and which made it twinkle from afar—if it goes, then I guess I wouldn't want to live in Oregon anyhow.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public address on environmental activism, Oregon, date unknown
The speaker links personal illness to stress, claiming stress worsens cancer but also drives activism, and he accepts personal sacrifice for Oregon’s legacy.
In simple terms: Stress harms health but fuels activism; he values Oregon over his own life.
Key Takeaway
Accept personal sacrifice for a greater cause.
Themes
environmentalism
activism
personal sacrifice
health
legacy
Mood
determined
reflective
Type
political
personal
philosophical
When to use this quote
- public health advocacy
- environmental policy
- personal health decisions
Key Concepts
stress
cancer
motivation
trade‑offs
Questions to Reflect On
- Is it worth risking health for a cause?
- How can we mitigate stress while staying active?
A Different Perspective
Stress can both damage health and motivate action, creating a paradoxical trade‑off.
![“Some kinds of activists are more willing to try stuff out, see if works and think on their feet, but some of the people who are working on [change] find that very difficult: They've been schooled into thinking you have to come up with the perfect plan in advance. It has become a bit technocratic.” quote by Duncan Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d17/duncan-green-20105_activist_some-kinds-of-activists-are-more-willing_57391.jpg)
