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 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. 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 (so far), 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