“I resist this death sentence.”
A cancer diagnosis does not have to mean the end.
The Problem
- Cancer is now the second—and rising—leading cause of death globally. Despite decades of research and billions in funding, many patients and their loved ones still find themselves with few effective options. It’s no surprise that growing numbers are exploring alternative treatments.
- Information about these treatments can be found in various online discussion groups, but the all-too-common page layout of these websites is difficult to navigate, leaving the site itself as an impediment to quality discourse.
The Solution
Hello, I’m Jeff Bowman.
I’m building IResist, an online community where people can share, learn about and discuss alternative cancer treatments in depth.
Other groups exist, but they all suffer from the same design flaw: posts are stacked in a single, endless, monolithic column. This layout makes it hard to follow who is replying to whom, and in what context. It discourages real conversation. So much potential is lost with this.
If you’ve ever tried to follow a lengthy discussion on Reddit, you understand the problem.
A Better Way
My approach is different. IResist uses a fully threaded layout—much like Windows’ own File Explorer—showing the discussion hierarchy on the left and the selected post on the right. Here’s a simple example that you can navigate to get a feel for the concept. (Click the arrows to expand the branches.)
This isn’t a new idea. In the late ’90s and early ’00s, I participated in a FoxPro programming forum on CompuServe that used a similar design. It was wonderful—discussions flourished and lifetime friendships were forged.
Since then, however, most if not all forums have abandoned this model, possibly due to the complex programming necessary to create it. But that quality of interaction is exactly what we need now, especially for something as serious as cancer.
Whatever the reason for its loss, I’d like to bring the old quality back. For twenty years I’ve been looking for a reason to do this, and now I’ve found it. I believe this community will truly shine.
Let’s Do This
To make IResist a reality, I need your help. I’ve launched a fundraiser with
a modest goal of $10,000 to help cover a duration of full-time development work.
I’ll be posting updates along the way so you can follow my progress and offer feedback.
Any amount helps. Even if you’re not in a position to give, sharing this with your network will be greatly appreciated.
Many hands make light work. Let’s band together and bring this plan to life.
Thank you so much.
Jeff Bowman
Fairbanks, Alaska
—It may seem like the end of the world, but we have a great view from here.