A vote that truly will make a difference

Nothing ever prepares someone when diagnosed with cancer. It’s a stunning emotional blow. We know, we’ve lived it at our house. But you can be prepared for what comes next which often times includes chemotherapy.

Most patients are not prepared for the physical, emotional, and financial stress brought on by treatment. Not knowing, not understanding, not having a coordinated plan can bring disastrous consequences. Did you know that 30% of chemotherapy patients end up bankrupt because they didn’t understand all of the financial implications of their treatment? Many more never complete therapy due to unexpected side effects or unmanageable cost.

This is why an experienced team who've seen first-hand the impact of cancer and chemotherapy treatment have created Chemo101.com, an innovative, educational on-line platform designed to meet the needs of the cancer patient and caregiver. Chemo101.com launches in October and will be a complete one-stop solution for education about chemotherapy treatments and resources to help mitigate the unexpected physical and financial impact. Information that will help patients and caregivers take a more active role in their chemotherapy treatment plan.

Think of Chemo101 as a “Future Shock-Shock Absorber.”

Also coming is the impending launch of “Chemo Gives,” a non-profit organization focused on supporting some of the non-medical financial needs of the patient like transportation, home utilities, food, and lodging. It’s a huge and expensive undertaking, and why we were thrilled to be selected as a finalist for a Pepsi Refreshes Grant for “Ideas that change the world.” At stake is $250,000 to help us achieve what we’ve been working so hard towards, which Chemo101 can earn by gaining the most votes during September's competition.

We now turn to you.

We need your help, your vote, and to spread the word. Here’s how:

1. Voting starts September 1, 2010 and continues throughout the month.
2. Voting is easy. Login to the Pepsi Refresh page, and type “Chemo101” in the search box on the top right of the page. Click on the “Vote for this idea,” register, then vote.
3. You can vote every day, so please make it part of your daily online routine in September.
4. Share this with your friends via Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, e-mail or text. Ask them to spread the word. If we get the most votes, the Pepsi Refresh Project awards Chemo101 $250,000. Your vote, every day, for 30 days. That’s it.

Your vote can bring about advancing chemotherapy education, and providing the financial help to those who badly need it. You can make a difference. You can bring about change.

Thanks,

Brian Olson
Conversation Starters LLC
"We start the conversation about you"

Chemo101 picked by Pepsi Refresh to compete for $250,000 Grant!

Denver, CO (PRWEB) August 30, 2010

Thanks to Pepsi's Refresh Project, an entrepreneurial initiative that awards millions of dollars in grants to ideas that "refresh the world", patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers engaged in chemotherapy treatment may soon be logging on to Chemo101, an innovative education platform designed to meet the needs of both cancer patients and caregivers.

Chemo101.com is a complete one-stop solution for education about chemotherapy treatments and resources to help mitigate the unexpected physical and financial impact on those affected by cancer.

Starting September 1, supporters of Chemo101 can log on to Pepsi Refresh's website and cast their daily vote through September 30 to help win the grant and launch the website.

A glaring need to provide a central resource for cancer patients and caregivers ignited Chemo101 principal and consultant to the pharmaceutical industry Kristin Gustafson's passion for the idea to enter the Pepsi Refresh competition. Ms. Gustafson witnessed the hardships and confusion experienced by patients and caregivers firsthand during her many years in the industry. She explains, "30% of chemotherapy patients end up bankrupt because they didn’t understand all of the financial implications of their treatment. Many more never complete therapy due to unexpected side effects or unmanageable cost. We want to change that. That's why we need everyone's vote support to provide this much needed one-stop online resource for thousands of cancer patients and those who give care to them."

The stakes are high for Chemo101 and its supporters. Winning Pepsi Refresh's $250,000 grant by gaining the most votes during September's competition can mean advancing chemotherapy education, and providing the financial help to those who badly need it. Voting for Chemo101 starts September 1, 2010 and continues through September 30. Supporters can vote help by logging on to the Pepsi Refresh page “Chemo101” in the search box on the top right of the page. Click on the “Vote for this idea,” register, then vote.

Media contact:

Kristin Gustafson
612-845-8769

Conversation Starters LLC is proud to be a partner with Chemo101.com.