Dad with Rare Blood Cancer 'Making Monsters' to Raise Awareness

Battling Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia

• 🎯 Joe Welsh, a father of two, was diagnosed three years ago with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia, a rare and incurable type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
• 💡 This diagnosis answered 15 years of chronic pain that had led him to use a cane.
• ⚠️ The disease affects an estimated 1,000 to 1,500 people annually in the U.S., weakening the immune system and often requiring lifelong monitoring and intensive treatment.

Prioritizing Family and Connection

• 👨‍👧‍👦 Facing his diagnosis, Joe quit his job to prioritize being a dad and witnessing his daughters grow up.
• 💬 He emphasizes the loneliness of cancer and the importance of connecting with others during recovery.
• 🎲 To foster connection and provide a screen-free escape during his recovery, Joe initiated family game nights.

'Making Monsters' Game and Awareness Mission

• 🎨 Joe channeled his experience into creating a family-friendly game called 'Making Monsters'.
• 👾 The game's concept uses cartoon monsters as a metaphor for fighting cancer, allowing him to playfully confront his experience.
• 🚀 He aims to raise awareness, highlighting progress in cancer research and expressing hope for future cures.
• 📣 A Kickstarter campaign for 'Making Monsters' is scheduled for September 16th.

The Power of Hope and Community

• ✨ Joe's story underscores how community and connection can help navigate life's most challenging moments.
• 💬 His message, echoing Robin Roberts, is to 'make your mess your message' and spread hope, which is contagious.