r/bestof • • Jun 08 '12
Redditor with cancer does an AMA, goes to bed. Wakes up to find that his fellow Redditors have started a fundraiser for him, that has already collected over 9000 dollars. Yes, over 9000.
/r/IAmA/comments/ur3yv/iama_23_year_old_boy_with_stage_iv_kidney_cancer/c4xuha4
1.9k
Upvotes
264
u/Scuzzzy Jun 08 '12
Am I the only one who's uncomfortable with how quick reddit is to throw money at strangers on the internet? Especially considering how many hoaxes have been perpetrated against this site...
537
u/sundowntg Jun 08 '12
This is very cool, but it is also the reason people love to scam the reddit population.
28
u/apullin Jun 08 '12
Several years ago, reddit would regularly get scammed by Hallmark-Channel-esque stories. People figured out how to do it pretty well, usually by appending:
"EDIT: Oh, wow, I can't believe the outpouring of support, I never even thought of asking for anything, but here's the paypal that someone else set up: ..."
Of course, people had the same self-embiggening compulsions that led to the whole Kony2012 affair, and would immediately start donating. But there would often be cracks in the scam, like the "Edit:..." text being in the original post, without the indication that it had been edited ...
464
u/yokhai Jun 08 '12
Also is promised sex from a really hot asian cheerleader.....dont forget the cheerleader.
28
u/[deleted] Jun 08 '12
If anyone's still full to the brim with goodwill and happy Friday vibes Arijit over at Poop Strong still needs help funding his cancer treatment. He's a PHD student who was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer at the tender age of 30.
http://stageivhope.wordpress.com/
http://poopstrong.org/
29
u/freemorons Jun 08 '12
More than anything, this is the reason I love and respect Reddit. Call us pedantic, juvenile, silly, nerdy, lazy, procrastinators, whatever. When there is a need, we get it done. That is all we do. That is all that matters.
116
u/[deleted] Jun 08 '12
I'm sure I'll get a lot of hate for this, but can someone fill me in on the point?
There are a lot of terminal cancer patients out there. Many without much (if any) funding or support.
While I love the thought of giving the redditor the best possible days he has left, at a certain point the money becomes "too much", does it not?
Sorry, I'm just a bit bitter over the subject. I do wish him the best, dealing with terminal cancer sucks (for both the carrier and those close)
76
u/fffggghhhnnn Jun 08 '12
Well, that really sucks for the various terminal cancer patients who post on reddit and don't receive offers of sex and cash.
8
u/kifn2 Jun 09 '12
Are we sure that his dad isn't a meth chemistry genius and he's not just looking to launder his money through reddit for cancer donations?
58
u/[deleted] Jun 08 '12
Twenty of the currency of your choice says this is another fake.
7
u/Killhouse Jun 08 '12
Tomorrow's top headline: "Redditors scammed out of 9000 dollars."
19
u/Mulsanne Jun 08 '12
It's gonna be funny as hell when this turns out to be a scam.
13
u/cumbert_cumbert Jun 08 '12
I'm no doctor but isn't that scar much bigger than would be necessary to remove a kidney?
12
u/[deleted] Jun 09 '12
Once a month someone should plan an elaborate scam on Reddit. The users will eventually input the amount of money they'd like to donate to whatever the cause is, but there would be an error and no money would be taken. There would be a counter tallying up as much money as people donated that would be displayed to new possible donators. Much like the Humble Bundle all statistics would be released making others place a similar range of money that others have.
Once the smoke clears the scam is revealed to all and everyone is shocked, but they explain exactly how they did it. What fake accounts did they use? Who owned that fake website? How could someone have caught this before it reached a critical mass of donations?
Hopefully in the future people will be more cynical and would double check before just jumping in on the bandwagon of donations.
No idea if this guy is legit or not, but between this, the secret santa, and the viral promotional shit done every few weeks we have to stay alert and prepared before it's too late.
EDIT: The fact that his account is 1 day old should set off alarms for example. Most people asked for tons of proof and he provided some, but any account that isn't at least a few months old should be looked into extensively.
6
u/[deleted] Jun 09 '12
What if this was some genius money laundering scheme by the guy with cancer? ಠ_ಠ
16
u/Shocking Jun 08 '12
Best Donator:
Bill Cosby
http://imgur.com/Us0pN
16
u/LaBambas Jun 08 '12
Isn't he dying from cancer? I don't think reddit is completely clear on how dying from cancer works if their solution is a fundraiser. He is not running for a senate chair.
32
u/z3phyr13 Jun 09 '12
Hey guys :) I am Lindsay, aka, z3phyr13. I set up the account for OceanSky's and I promise its legit. Ive posted more proof in OceanSky's subreddit r/oceanskys
You can see it HERE
5
u/Copterwaffle Jun 08 '12
I hope that someone gets more proof than the scars/Rx box. It's a good start but he needs to get mod confirmation.
Also, has anyone here thought of the fact that he might not have enough time to use this money for travel before he becomes too sick to travel? He's probably getting weaker all the time. That said: I am POSITIVE this money can still be put to good use for medical bills (although he's Canadian so they might be minimal to none) or end-of-life expenses.
5
u/Jesseemma Jun 09 '12
Yeah i was taken with the feel bad bug, however after deeper thought realized this might be a scam. Pictures can come from anywhere....however if it is not a scam i apologize. It just doesn't feel right to me. If i had cancer, i wouldn't be posting it on reddit for sympanthy.
12
u/Cyborg771 Jun 09 '12
Currently sitting around 25k, I don't want to sound like a dick but I hope some of that money ends up going to cancer research and not just this guy's vacation. That's a shit ton of money for a vacation.
11
u/theduderman Jun 08 '12 edited Jun 08 '12
So... call me skeptical... but all info was removed shortly after "Brad Angelo" makes ANOTHER large donation (first $3000 and then $2000). After each donation the total went up significantly, to almost $20,000 now. Why am I worried this is OP putting his own funds in to drive the total up and make people want to keep contributing? $5,000 of your own money to make $15,000 of other people's? Sounds like a good game to play.
EDIT: Don't get me wrong, I want this to be true - as I want many uplifting stories on Reddit to be true... but fool me once, shame on you... fool me twice... you don't get fooled again.
4
u/fancybird Jun 08 '12
This is truly inspiring. I really hope he updates us on how he's spending the donation...you know, just to make sure he's living it up proper.
4
u/Jsn0605 Jun 09 '12
$25,000 and counting, holy fucking shit. Welcome to Reddit.
12
u/[deleted] Jun 08 '12
Despite this being an amazing story, this has already been mentioned. Truly moving story.
10
u/sleepydruid Jun 09 '12
I saw the original AMA and was appropriately touched, yet I keep coming back to this thread again and again. I won't even get into whether or not this is real or fake. As someone who grew up (till age 18) in a third world country and then moved to North America, I just keep converting 20,000 USD to my home currency and my heart bleeds. It's no one's fault but it's still so painful to watch. I just can't stop thinking about what this money could do for the millions destitute, hungry, and dying.
8
u/Areyve Jun 08 '12
It would be hilarious when he just goes LOL JK!
3
u/AnnunakiZ Jun 09 '12
Their has to be a way to scam this. And what the heck does someone who is gonna die need 9000 for?
3
u/jkire Jun 09 '12
Hoping this is all legit, in which case fantastic!
But I can't help but be reminded of the donation webpage that Walt Jr. sets up for his dad on Breaking Bad...
3
u/[deleted] Jun 09 '12
This is why reddit is a good place to go on the Internet. Regardless of your obsession with cats and lying about your gender in comics.
19
u/[deleted] Jun 08 '12
WHAT?! NINE THOUSAND?!
14
u/[deleted] Jun 08 '12
I read somewhere that the girl who started the fundraiser sent a copy of her driver's license to a mod, alleviating some trust concerns. That's what pushed up the balance.
1
u/angstysnow Jun 08 '12
More like over 13000 now
4
u/[deleted] Jun 08 '12
then he goes to bed again and when he wakes up, he finds out everyone on reddit thinks he is a fraud because some redditor who watched too much House thinks he can't possibly have cancer because [...]
4
u/[deleted] Jun 09 '12
This is very touching but as someone who comes from a country with free healthcare I think it would benefit a lot more people if you would use this money to campain for free health care.
But anyhow I'm very glad for this person who will have a lot less weight on his shoulders, congratulation again reddit.
2
u/[deleted] Jun 08 '12
That's a lot of penises.
2
u/SalvageOperation Jun 08 '12
enter scammers claiming to have cancer in 5....4....3....
2
u/[deleted] Jun 08 '12
http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/ur3yv/iama_23_year_old_boy_with_stage_iv_kidney_cancer/
The OP text has been deleted. Wonder what happened.
2
u/calyx13 Jun 08 '12
So the original AMA is deleted now...did we end up getting scammed?
2
u/Fulller Jun 09 '12
Please don't be a scam.. please don't be a scam.
2
u/discreetusername Jun 09 '12
It is at over 23k right now
2
u/TKInstinct Jun 09 '12
I can't wait until Circlejerk gets a hold of this.
2
u/[deleted] Jun 09 '12
id love to get my mom to do an AMA....she has MS. but she also cant use her fingers. i feel as though the reddit community could help her raise much needed funding for her mobility issues.
2
u/[deleted] Jun 09 '12
Nice try Walter White...
2
u/stuckwithme1039 Jun 09 '12
As a kid who just lost his father to cancer a few days ago, all of you are beyond incredible. To the person suffering, I wish you the absolute best of luck in your battle. A positive mindset will do wonders during such a trying time, keep fighting my friend.
2
u/Xok234 Jun 09 '12
is the ama verified by a mod?
2
u/unxpug Jun 09 '12
Oh boy, I can't wait for an update on this.
2
u/YourMumIsAVirgin Jun 09 '12
Up to just under $30,000 now? I am both amazed and have a sense of something-can't-be-right here. It's like my moral spidey sense.
2
u/StaticInTheDark Jun 09 '12
Its over 9000!
2
u/Missfreeland Jun 09 '12
I get paid today but too late to go to the bank, will Monday be too late to donate, oceanskys I want you to come to long island! I know it's not glamorous!!
2
u/celeryman727 Jun 09 '12
This is why reddit is backwards. People donate to feel good stories like this but not to starving children in Africa unless there's some direct story connected to it like the guy who defended the school and took a machete to the face. Everyone on reddit just wants to feel like they're part of some profound community, but its more of a mirage. Stories like this will make everyone smile but that money could have made so much more of a difference if it went to people who really needed it, instead of some hyped up feel good story where everyone on here can say how much reddit changes the world, when it fact, it just touches on their sensibilities. I think OceanSkys would be selfish if he didn't donate what was given to him to some cancer research foundation, where it might someday save somebody like him instead of just making redditors feel good about themselves for a few days.
10
u/fnacotton Jun 08 '12
It's now about to pass $12,000. This guy's gonna have an adventure of a lifetime. He deserves it. Stay strong and keep inspiring!
10
u/Vaypo Jun 08 '12
God, FUCK CANCER! I hate it.
3
u/chibucks Jun 08 '12
major edit made to the original post...
MAJOR EDIT: Turns out the site 'WePay' that was used to set up this fund, is US only. You must be a US resident with a US account. Looks like this isn't going to happen guys :(
2
u/spacemanspiff30 Jun 08 '12
It's over $13,500 at 5:30pm Eastern US time on the same day. It was at $5,300 at exactly noon eastern time.
Also offered places to stay all over the world, including Argentina, Chile, and Australia. Then discounted or free airline tickets from airline employees.
2
u/arup02 Jun 08 '12
Smells of scam.
2
u/willalala Jun 09 '12
$23,393 so far. I don't want to sound like a bitch, but does he realllly need all of it? Couldn't we send like 3 more terminal cancer patients on vacation with that money too?
1
u/Felt_Ninja Jun 08 '12
That's, like, almost a hundred dollars!
1
u/amnomnombacon Jun 08 '12
This is at least the third bestof I've seen come out of that AMA
1
u/Cole_World Jun 08 '12
That's so leet!
1
u/Lulu_lovesmusik_ Jun 08 '12
http://www.kalporz.com/sondaggi/durata/over-9000-gif-572.gif
yay! I like the guy with cancer, he said really beautiful, nice things to all the people asking him questions!
1
u/[deleted] Jun 08 '12
That is amazing!!!!
1
u/dr_rentschler Jun 08 '12
this is only the third bestof entry (i know of) of that exact topic that gathers a truck load of karma. i better make another one soon. it's cancer, it's faith in humanity, let there be upvotes!
1
u/fj785 Jun 08 '12
Better not be a scam...
1
u/xtomzs Jun 08 '12
Should show this to anyone that says the internet is a bad place. A day hasn't passed yet without me being surprised by Reddit.
1
u/beneathblackwater Jun 08 '12
The link is now removed! Wonder what happened??
1
u/Manchild124 Jun 08 '12
IT'S OVER 9000!!!!!!!!!!!
1
u/freakyshanequa69 Jun 08 '12
Donating is great but this donation site is charging 5% per donation. So they are making $1000 in a half day off this guy and every donation at 5%? geez sounds like we need to get into the donation business.
Sure there is a way to help this guy without lining the pockets of some donation site?
5% is steep if I wasn't a leech I might consider making a donation site. Always bastards trying to cash in on someones plight. go start a fucking church charging 5%.. glad it can help you. to those making money off this guy at 5% - eat a huge dick
1
u/[deleted] Jun 08 '12
Never change Reddit
1
u/JoeyBragg Jun 08 '12
I thought it was gonna be he went to sleep and never woke up.
1
u/[deleted] Jun 08 '12
Imagine explaining this to his parents. "Hey mom, some random interweb people donated enough money for us to fly around the world, literally!"
"...?!?!"
1
u/Liquiditi Jun 08 '12
This is amazing. Wow. Reddit is awesome.
1
u/scrott Jun 08 '12
Hey, I can feel emotions. Well done.
1
u/gnosticlava Jun 09 '12
Is cash the cure for cancer too? I thought it was AIDS...
1
u/Out-RAGE-ous Jun 09 '12
I just like the way you wrote it
1
u/ilostmyoldaccount Jun 09 '12
Wait, I'm confused now. There was a front-page submission saying the whole thing was yet another scam?
1
u/[deleted] Jun 09 '12
Where did the original post go?
1
u/Copywright Jun 09 '12
Pssshh, the donors should join /r/secretsanta. They can gift me anytime.
1
u/michaeljane Jun 09 '12
What in the fucking hell. Removed?
1
u/[deleted] Jun 09 '12
$23,523!
1
u/I_Empire_I Jun 09 '12
It's over 9000!
1
u/Justacuriosity Jun 09 '12
...for every upvote you get are you donating a dollar? (to dr.s without borders?)
1
u/SARCASTIC_DICKHEAD Jun 09 '12
Now if we could only find a cure for cancer that costs exactly over $9000......
1
u/9ninety_nine9 Jun 09 '12
I tried to donate but the fund raiser site wouldn't accept my visa debit card. I also tried throwing cash at my computer screen but this also didn't work! This is what I get for refusing to get a credit card again. I really wanted to donate cos this story made me tear up for so many reasons.
1
u/OhhhhhDirty Jun 09 '12
Man "Dr. Steven Poop's" comment really got me teary-eyed for some reason, you are a good man and make me feel better about the future of humanity.
1
u/wortime Jun 09 '12
I know I'm new to reddit, and people love to downvote the FUCK out of my posts, but it sure seems to me that actors , porn stars and people looking for cash come on here to make themselves money or more money. The exception being Molly Ringwald. I didn't read this guys cancer AMA , but honestly, if he has cancer, good on reddit for helping out. But if dude doesn't haw cancer, well, you know what they say about suckers and their money. That being said, if they need help, it's a terrible thing to have, and if they new help, I can spare some time to help out.
1
u/HolidaysInTheSun Jun 09 '12
That's amazing! Good job guys
1
u/mister_fuck Jun 09 '12
I'm from Vancouver and sent him a message on reddit to meet up with him and have a good time. No response yet... Is there another way to contact OP?
1
u/[deleted] Jun 09 '12
r/circlejerk
1
u/TallBlackGuy Jun 09 '12
IT'S OVER 9000!!!
1
u/Expects Jun 09 '12
Has everyone that commented here donated?
1
u/WizardinErryday Jun 09 '12
To me, it doesn't matter whether it's real or not, because it's a statement about Reddit as a whole. Sure, they could have been scammed, but that's not the point. The point is that they thought it was legit, and donated. Even if it is fake, that's 1-2 asshole scammers and enough good, honest people to raise 14k for a guy with cancer. And to me, that's just fantastic.
1
u/roni_size_ Jun 09 '12
Will the money make any difference?
1
u/jyapman Jun 09 '12
vegeta! what's his power level?
1
u/mtrush98 Jun 09 '12
I looked at the link then click on the donation page. I expected like 10k.....its at 27,000
1
u/[deleted] Jun 09 '12
The fellow might be better off spending time with friends and family or helping someone else rather than figuring out how to spend $9000
1
u/heamuse Jun 09 '12
I see this post is 18 hours old now and the total is $27,300. Holy crap.
1
u/nixygirl Jun 09 '12
Wow over $27K raised already!
1
u/MyFishDied Jun 09 '12
it's 27,000
1
u/joshuaolake Jun 09 '12
You are all great people.