How This Site Came to Be.

Before my mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in October 2008 I was just a typical web guy. My company, DLC Solutions, has created full-featured Web sites, social media sites, and e-learning software platforms for the health care community since 2001. One of our most rewarding client is The Wellness Community. The Wellness Community (TWC) is an international non-profit organization dedicated to providing free support, education and hope to people with cancer and their loved ones. Early on we helped TWC mimic the services they provide in their 24 U.S. locations with an online community. Providing eduction and support on their website allowed those who may not be able to attend a scheduled activity at a brick and mortar location to attend them at any time from the website. Over the years I have gotten to know a lot of the members of TWC's community and it is always very rewarding when we can help someone with the tools we have helped create. In 2004 I ran with TWC's Stride for Hope team in a 1/2 marathon in Vancouver. It was the furtherest I had ever run, but was an incredible experience.

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No matter how much I had learned over the years of creating site dealing with cancer research, none of it was enough to prepare me for when my mother called with her diagnosis. I turned to my co-workers and clients for help with how do deal with the diagnosis, but things moved too quickly for lengthy discussions. As with most cases of ovarian cancer, mom's was caught late and was stage IV by the time we started treatments. After a short by hard fought battle my mother passed away on March 10, 2009, less then 6 months since her first doctor visit.

Since my mom's passing, I have been trying to think of a way to raise money for more research in the prevention, diagnosis and cure for all cancers.

Cancer Facts from the National Cancer Institute

  • The National Cancer Institute estimates that approximately 10.8 million Americans with a history of cancer were alive in January 2004.
  • About 1,437,180 new cancer cases were diagnosed in 2008
  • This year, about 565,650 Americans are expected to die of cancer, more than 1,500 people a day. Cancer is the second most common cause of death in the US, exceeded only by heart disease.
  • In the US, cancer accounts for 1 of every 4 deaths.
  • The 5-year relative survival rate for all cancers diagnosed between 1996 and 2003 is 66%, up from 50% in 1975-1977. The improvement in survival reflects progress in diagnosing certain cancers at an earlier stage and improvements in treatment.
* Cancer Facts cited from National Cancer Institute's "Cancer Facts and Figures: 2008"