by Guest
My name is Drew Olanoff. And I am a geek.
On May 20th, 2009 I became something else. I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Hodgkins Lymphoma. .
I’m now a geek fighting cancer.
Drew Olanoff
Before I was officially diagnosed, I knew something was not right. I discovered a lump on my neck that was growing. Even though I felt fine…it just wasn’t right. I then discovered a lump on my shoulder. These were lymph nodes reacting to my Hodgkins Lymphoma.
I started blaming my undiagnosed cancer on whatever I could. Lost keys, the Phillies losing, my clothes not being dry.
I had just been hired as Director of Community at the mobile startup GOGII and planned on moving to Los Angeles. From my home in San Francisco, I went home to visit family in Philadelphia and on the advice of my mom who is a nurse, I visited my family Dr.
My life changed forever.
I thought to myself….this is it, it’s over. My health, my life, the job, my hopes and dreams. Gone.
I was wrong, I feel like I can now start living.
GOGII told me I was a part of their family, to go beat this thing, and that my place within the company was secure.
My family and friends told me they were behind me 110%.
My Dr’s told me we would beat this thing.
LIVESTRONG reached out to me immediately and offered whatever advice and support they could.
I felt alive and protected, and surrounded by heart.
My friend Mike Demers, a talented engineer whom I worked with in Seattle, had been diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma nearly 2 years ago. He beat it like a champ and we just found out he is 1 year clear. He’s a survivor, and I will be too. He helped take an idea and turn it into what you see today at www.BlameDrewsCancer
The premise is simple, we have to beat cancer into submission once and for all. One way to do that is to stand up against cancer, talk about it…discuss it….not whisper. So with our site, you can send a message to Twitter in the form of “I #BlameDrewsCancer for ___________”
We’ve seen everything from people blaming their cancer on mine, or blaming the fall of the stock market on my cancer. Someone even blamed my cancer for the band Nickelback. It was immediate and intense, and hasn’t stopped.
As of right now, 7,519 people have blamed my cancer for 13,024 things. My goal is to find a sponsor or sponsors who will donate $1 to LIVESTRONG for each unique person who has blamed something on my cancer.
But that’s not all. Mike and I have a lot more in store to raise awareness, help research, and one day cure the thing that took many lives, including my grandmothers.
We will LIVESTRONG together.
I’m happy and proud to be fighting the fight with all of you.
—–
Drew Olanoff
blog: www.drewolanoff.com
- Posted in LAF General
- 20 Comments »
20 Responses to “My Name is Drew Olanoff and I’m a Geek with Cancer”
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You’re doing an awesome thing dude, keep it up.
Drew-
I remember reading about http://www.BlameDrewsCancer.com through the Twitter grapevine a few weeks ago… I was instantly impressed as I was hooked. You’re inspirational and innovative. You’re taking what some people use as an excuse to wallow and transforming it into an engaging platform for courage and optimism. Keep fighting, and know that you have tons of support coming at you from cyberspace.
-Lauren (@beebow)
Great post, Drew… Cancer doesn’t stand a chance!
It’s strangely satisfying to #BlameDrewsCancer for, well, anything that’s not quite right in the world.
I have to #ThankDrew for a super idea well implemented. Keep living out loud!
Now I understand #blamedrewscancer.
You will beat this thing
Thanks I blame Drews cancer for stuff and I feel better. I have a rare cancer so there are few options in the UK – I blamed Drews cancer for that! I blame Drews cancer for me going to med school so I know my docs are economical with the truth. Thanks for Drew and thanks to LAF that makes me less isolated in this world.
Thanks for the post, Drew.
I #blamedrewscancer for feeling guilty about liking hipster snark. Oh, and Precious Moments figurines.
You’ll beat it.
Drew,
Welcome to the Geek / Web 2.0 / Cancer Club.
I’m sorry your had to join us, but I thought you web site was awesome the first time I saw it in Mid-June. I love the creativity and humor.
I wish you strength during your treatment
michael
Thank you for the kind words and support everyone.
Buckle up, you ain’t seen nuttin’ yet.
Awesome post! I was diagnosed with stage 4 NHL in April and like you, I thought it was all over. But, I just completed my 3 round of chemo and I’m now in fighting mode! Reading your post has strengthened me even more – thanks and God bless you – He will help us all.
Drew … I had stage 3 Hodgkins Lymphoma …and NOW!!!!!!!! almost 10+ years later ….I am a Geek…
so see, we are kinda the same
and I am from Philly too!!
Believe it or not … I now teach group fitness classes and am in the best health of my life !
Remember anything is possible…..DON”T GIVE UP !!!!
I’m with you on this !
Drew, fight the good fight my friend. I am a cancer suufferer too because my Dad has prostate cancer. That makes my mum, brother and sisters suffers too. But we all stand by Dad. I took my Dad up L’Alpe d’Heuz in 2003 to watch Lance and the Tour in case he never realised his dream.
I will be taking him next year too.
I work for a great medical supplies company called Boston Scientific out in Australia. We care. I care to make a difference each day.I witness individuals being diagnosed daily with CA. It is a family illness, shared by the ones that love you the most.
Believe me, you are loved. There is a big family out there who care.
Lance rocks. Drew rocks, My Dad rocks!
Drew , hang in there, my son is also fighting this battle, he was dignosed April 23, 2009 with lymphoblastic leukemia , he is 23 years old . It is a hard fight but it is a fight he will win !!!! God Bless You !!!!
Hi Drew, I was stage 2 and the chemo therapy they gave me did not get rid of my hodgekins… I had to go for a stem cell bone marrow transplant… I am 5 years out and doing great… Hodgekins is the most treatable cancer… You will do fine, make sure you pray! I believe in prayer, it works!! God Bless You! You will be in my prayers.
be encouraged! i too had hodgkins 5 years ago- in some ways it feels like a lifetime ago, and in others it feels like yesterday. i’m 28 now, and have a beautiful baby girl- so keep your eyes focused on your future- and keep up the GOOD work!
Keep strong, my sister my friend and I have all had Hodgkins Lymphoma.She has been cancer free for 9 years, my friend has been 15 years cancer free and I have been cancer free for 6 years.We all beat it i know you will to.
Drew- My thoughts and prayers are with you… I am now going on 8 years cancer free with stage 3 Hodgkins Lymphoma also. I feel your pain my friend… be strong and keep positive. I know its hard but you will heal my friend… have faith. I am now the mother of 3, college graduate, and sweater of the small stuff:) and cancer free!! You will be too;)!
BIG HUGS
CINDY
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