From the original OncoChat^TM website, created in 1996...

Until November of 1995 my life was a quiet one, very predictable, organized, and planned. Then my world turned upside down when I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. I didn't even realize just exactly what the diagnosis meant until I read the word "terminal". My roommate is a survivor herself, so she had some idea of the emotional roller coaster ride on which I was about to embark.

We began to search for information and support to help deal with this new twist of fate, and found a wealth of material on the internet. We also found several sources of support through the news groups like Cancer-L, BMT, NHL, and Hem-Onc. However we felt there was another area that could be developed to enhance support on-line. There are many times where we and those who care for us need instant support, because of the many questions and concerns we have.

- BarbK

...and that's how it started. Just two ladies from Alaska; they were not doctors, not professional counselors and not someone out to profit from the misfortunes of others. It's still that way today. OncoChat is not a medical or research company. We are not a non-profit organization (yet) with presidents and directors and board members and such. OncoChat is simply whomever happens to be chatting at any given time. OncoChat is you.

OK...someone has to run things. We do have some very caring and hard working people who take time from their lives to moderate the chat, provide technical assistance for upkeep of the servers, and maintain our website. More often than not, they originally came to OncoChat for the same reason as you. Join our chat if you want to meet some of them.

The Association of Online Cancer Resources (ACOR) graciously hosts this website. However, please do not contact ACOR regarding OncoChat. For all issues regarding the OncoChat website and the chat service, contact us at:  oncochat@sbcglobal.net

Finally, for those with inquiring minds, the OncoChat world headquarters is a laptop computer on a coffee table in a comfortable family room in a house near San Francisco.

The channel manager and webmaster is otherstuf. OncoChat IRC Network Server administrators are daMama, LilDeb, MrCajun, and Rugg. Website design by mandmdigital.com.