Almost immediately after my cancer diagnosis, I started receiving frequent reassurances that I was being prayed for, or added to the prayer list at a well-wisher's church, etc. I appreciated the expressions of concern, and haven't asked anyone to stop - what people do on their knees in private causes me no harm, and more to the point is no business of mine. But here's the thing - I'm an out-of-the-closet capital-A Atheist.

I usually smiled, nodded politely, and murmured some kind of fuzzy expression of gratitude for their good intentions. But if I beat this thing (and I plan to), it's going to be hard-working doctors and real medicine and ever-advancing science that make it happen, not Woo (religious or otherwise). The "Praycebo Effect" is intended to make my opinion on that clear, via a little science-geeky humor. Maybe you're another survivor that feels the same way. There must be at least a few of us.

There's another factor here, too. Even having been fortunate enough to have kept my job and the insurance that comes with it, this cancer stuff gets expensive - the bills are almost as scary as the disease. So maybe take a look at some of the "Praycebo Effect" swag below, and pass this web address around to anyone else you know that might be like-minded? If you're not the sort to wear what's on your mind, perhaps your Doctor would appreciate being, well, appreciated.

Thanks. Hey, look - here we are being all human and decent to each other, all by ourselves! Maybe there's hope for us monkeys after all.

"Religion is sort of like a lift in your shoes.
If it makes you feel better, fine. Just don't ask me to wear your shoes."

                         - George Carlin

Get your fine Praycebo Effect Swag here.

hendel@prayceboeffect.com
Atheist Cancer Survivors' Facebook Group