Cancer is full of betrayals, big and small. Your body betrays you, your friends may fall away, your finances may fall apart.
In addition to all of the above, for me, there was also business betrayal. Which is what has led to #CancerRoadTrip.
I aligned with a technology/IP group to bring to life a revolutionary platform that models and rewards compassionate behavior. I created it, designed it and named it ThinkTLC (as in Think: Tender, Loving, Care). Think of it as Facebook for good. No sales of your data; just an ongoing flow of compassion to people when they most need it. I always envisioned it as this flow of energy around the globe that connected, touched and even healed people in need.
ThinkTLC was also a social entrepreneurship company that gave back. And it had ramifications far beyond cancer. Cancer was simply the starting point for spreading some care and compassion in the world.
But the tech creeps, as I shall anonymously call them, have refused (for months now) to respond to any emails or calls. I should have had a beta platform; instead I have nothing. As of this writing, they have refused to communicate. It would appear that they have simply stolen everything I’ve worked for over the last several years of life with cancer. Everything I’ve funded with my savings. This year I generated nearly 20 million impressions on Twitter. All this was built to help launch ThinkTLC. To help bring a bit of kindness to the world.
I finally hired a legal firm to get some answers. I am told that pursuing legal action will cost at least half a million dollars and three years of my life, with no guaranteed outcome. In addition to no product from the tech creeps, I now have a semi-gag order from my attorney.
I was counting on ThinkTLC launching this past fall and to start paying for Anti-Cancer Club (which I’ve personally funded to date) and a million other expenses, like health insurance! I spend a minimum $15,000 per year (Affordable Care Act????) just on premiums and in-network deductibles. Going out of network increases this amount to over $20,000. And that doesn’t include the rehab I need for my hip; acupuncture for pain and well being; or even an occasional massage which would be so comforting.
I can no longer fund all this and live off my savings.
Without ThinkTLC up and operating, I am going to have to sell my house.
My beautiful house. And where will I go? How am I supposed to deal with being #HomelessWithCancer? What about my beloved cat, Chanel? Where will she go? Will she be alright?
Will I be alright?
You would think someone on the board of a publicly traded company (one of the tech creeps) and his associates would have better things to do than make someone #HomelessWithCancer.
But thanks to them, that’s about to be my new status. So it’s time for a bit of R&R.
Time for a #CancerRoadTrip. Because when the going gets tough, the tough go traveling.
If you’re interested in learning more about photography (or cooking or film or any number of topics) check out Masterclass for on-line excellence:
What is #CancerRoadTrip and how did it come to be? Read this post to get the backstory!
Follow me on Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and at Anti-Cancer Club. Connect with me! I may need a place or two to stay along the way!
Oh wow, that sucks! Have you considered GoFundMe? I love the cancer road trip, and your whole vision. Prayers and love your way!
It’ll all work out. The tech creeps can’t steal my creativity and I have some new things planned! Stay tuned!
#CancerRoadTrip your message requires an audience throughout American. The #CancerRoadTrip is a great idea. It might not be planned or financially feasible but it is necessary. Along the way, pick up a few friends, listen to their story, and create a message for others to hear. More importantly, continue to #FightAgainstCancer. Best Wishes
Thank you Kevin. Help me get word out about CancerRoadTrip! The bigger our following, the bigger our impact.
I am hoping that this becomes a forum for all of us to connect, explore and provide inspiration for each other. And I hope that the “giveaways”, the CancerRoadTrips for others comes together asap. People so need healing and hope on this path. CancerRoadTrip ho! Stay in touch!
Just saw this post, Pat – what a story! And just like you to find a creative, inspiring way to deal with circumstances that suck. Seeing you make these lemons into lemonade, and lifting this community up even higher than you have before!
Thanks, Shani. T minus 36 days to being #HomelessWithCancer. What an adventure! Stay tuned. I hope to have #CancerRoadTrips for others by the end of the year. If you know of anyone who might help (energy, enthusiasm, connections, donations in kind or in cash), please connect us! In addition to being part of our website and social media feed (that engages over 2.5 million people/month on Twitter alone), sponsors will be part of the documentary film series that comes out of the healing experiences, to inspire others. We can all use a bit of inspiration!
Pat, your story has been an inspiration to others for many years, including me. My sister was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma in August and she too continues to encourage others by ‘paring down’ and delighting in the simplest of pleasures. Godspeed in your travels…I wish you well my friend and will look forward to vicariously experiencing your journey. My best wishes for safe travel and the unexpected delights ahead! Susan
Susan! Thank you and stay tuned. I have some wonderful things coming down the pike. And I’m so sorry other about your sister. Please let me know if there is anything I can do.
Hi Pat, I hope you’ll come visit PoSH (Permaculture Solutions for Healing) on your road trip. We’re not officially launched yet, but we’d be happy to host you for a little R&R in beautiful northern Utah!
Jeanne,
I’d love to! I’ll drop you an email! For anyone that doesn’t know about Jeanne Wallace, PhD, she is one of the foremost cancer nutritionists (that’s understating the extent of her expertise) in the country, if not the world. Check out her website nutritional-solutions.net! Her healing resort PoSH will be launched soon. Perhaps I’ll have a blog post to share!
Jean, I’m on my way later in August. Let’s connect over details!
The cheetah and I are here reading from the beginning……
I don’t see any place on the site where individuals can donate. Do you have a place for that?
Several people have mentioned this and we’re working on it. I should have something up in 2 weeks or so. Thank you!!!!
You are so fortunate to have had all these resources since 2009. Even a house you can still sell. In contrast, Nikita is an orphan living in a wendyhouse in someone’s back yard in a suburb known for drugs, shooting, gangsterism. She is eighteen and still a virgin. A diligent kid who passed school with good grades. She deserves better, but was served with cancer instead of a study bursary.
Nikita deserves so much more. So many do.
Cancer destroys so many people–it’s hard to fathom. And no one seems to give a rip. I just don’t get it anymore. Thus the road trip.
Educated, a warrior with a poets soul, one silently battling what is more than deserving of being talked about, seeking help as opposed to best learning as much about as physically possible, grinding through much physical, but more-so emotional maturing and lessons needed experienced, not taught, I gather. In my personal journey of life, there being no betrayal, trickery, darkness or intent in ever being the cause of another’s pain, certainly never undervaluing one’s heart and feelings towards love, one’s heart never to be treated or handled any less then as most delicate and with white gloves, conscientious as to how fragile one’s heart truly is. This being ever evolving and as in all things, personal or business making of mistakes leading to growth, loss, joy and unfortunately sometimes pain, but true love prevailing over all in the end, never leaving one, but not having to be acted upon or many things that potentially may be the cause of two in love not sharing and enjoying life to its fullest as one. This is unfortunate, but common I believe in that we are complex beings and many things having to sync or be communicated and desired by two the same, not according to how one may value or desire the love and commitment of another. I have prayed and taking much action in learning of self, becoming stronger on my own first, more-so knowing how to better love myself and total acceptance and as close to self actualised life possible without one to share all of what life has to offer, the good and the tougher times first, trusting and keeping faith everything happens for a reason, but knowing a strong desire to know most of thyself, self love first, faith, then much may be successfully added in His timing.
Inspiring, I really hope this works out for you. Your posts are bewitchingly beautiful, thank you.
It’s interesting. I’ve been on the road one year now. And I was asked to give a talk to a group about the story. Going back; re-living the story; and now re-telling it, I can see how far I’ve come and how things have evolved. I’ve had an amazing series of serendipitous encounters that seem to be paving the way for the healing retreats. (See Giving Back>Win) Travel heals, through new perspectives and experiences.