San Clemente Times
Joe Robbins, a longtime San Clemente resident, is finishing his 18-month treatment to recover from throat cancer. While in recovery and with limited mobility from radiation and chemotherapy treatments, Robbins began studying fantasy sports games. Occasionally playing a $3 or $5 bet, he was surprised at his success rate, usually winning back his wager to use for the next bet. This activity also kept his mind active and off the traumatic side effects he was experiencing along with the strain of mounting medical bills. Not being able to work has also put a burden on his wife who works overtime so they can keep their home while juggling medical bills.
On Nov. 1, Robbins entered a $5 game with Fantasy Draft and won the first place prize, which included a roundtrip ticket for two to see the Cleveland Cavaliers play on Nov. 18. The following night, Nov. 19, night Robbins and his wife attended a big party at a Cleveland sports bar and met one of the NBA’s top players, Kevin Love, a spokesperson for FantasyDraft and a major advocate for nonprofit groups.
Robbins was concerned about the other costs he would incur during the trip to Cleveland and let FantasyDraft know about his condition. FantasyDraft assured Joe and his wife that they would have very little to no expenses during the trip. The biggest surprise came when FantasyDraft announced that they would be donating funds to Robbins’ crowdfunding campaign to assist him with his medical debt. Robbins said he hopes to start working again sometime next year.
Robbins crowdfunding site is www.wesharecrowdfunding.com/survivorjoe.
Discussion about this post