Strangers Raise Money to Send Young Terminal Cancer Patient on Round-the-World Vacation

PRLog (Press Release) - Jun. 8, 2012 - Strangers Raise Money to Send Young Terminal Cancer Patient on Round-the-World Vacation


The power of human generosity and empathy is alive… and well.

A 23-year-old young man, suffering from Stage IV Renal Cell Carcinoma, recently posted his story in the Ask Me Anything (AMA) forum of the popular online community, reddit.com.  In AMA, the young man known as OceanSkys on reddit, details his struggle with a cancer without a survival rate and thus will likely will not make it to 24 (http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/ur3yv/iama_23_year_...).

What follows in the comments, is a powerful story that demonstrates the incredible insights of the 23-year-old into many aspects of life and a beautiful story of mankind’s love for a perfect stranger.

‘Thank you for helping me see life in a slightly different perspective - I hope others close to you realize how amazing your outlook really is and can learn from it’, an online contributor.

The post also draws the attention of many other young cancer survivors.

‘Listen to me.... If I can make any difference I will be happy. Hence my username, I am a 15 year old, 5 time cancer survivor. I have been fighting for 5 years and I just got news that I beat it for the 5th time. My cancer's survival rate is 10% and 5% for those who relapse... If they give you an opportunity to fight hard... You do it. It will be worth it if it works. I have faced death and have been revived before... I hope that things turn better for you I really do. The whole thing really teaches you a lot about life... Enjoy the simple things while you can...’

Other reddit users, known as redditors, offer love, hugs, trips, visits and support to OceanSkys.  

‘If you ever want to come to Chile my wife and I would be more than happy to have you at our place.

Wife here: Please come visit.

We are sorry this happened to you. Both of us have lost people to cancer and know how much it hurts.’

Another redditor adds, Depending on where you live (OP) i can bring you to Chile if you want to go visit SRowan.

Eventually, the collective action and ideas created an idea to send OceanSkys and his family on a trip around the world, a chance to see the sights and meet fellow redditors in Chile, Switzerland and beyond.  Quickly, a crowd-funding site was created and more than $3,200 USD was raised in just a few hours (http://www.gofundme.com/OceanSkysVacation).

The story of OceanSkys helps us all realize the beauty of the simple things in life and the power of the human brotherhood.