Written by Chris Futrell

I was diagnosed with stage 3 rectal cancer in May 2023. I was 38. 

I remember waking up from my scope, and the gastroenterologist telling me he had found a three-inch malignant tumor. In that moment, a switch was flicked. Life suddenly became two distinct chapters: “before cancer” and “after cancer.”

My name is Chris, and I’m an Operations Manager with Mood. This summer, I’m heading on a cross-country trip of a lifetime in the brand new Mood Mobile to raise money for colon cancer. Here’s my story. 

Surviving Cancer

I was already incredibly sick by the time I was diagnosed, and though they ultimately saved my life, the chemo and radiation only made things worse in the short term. 

I couldn't work, could barely leave bed, lost my apartment, and eventually had to retire from my 20+ year career as a chef. Between the illness and the cure, I lost 67 pounds over the course of a year and a half.

In early 2024, after two rounds of chemo, two surgeries, one week-long hospital stay, and 35 doses of radiation, I was slated to have major surgery. 

The Miracle of Community

Homeless. Jobless. Terrified. But so damn blessed. My sisters, dad, close friends, total strangers, old bosses, and extended family — I was supported and loved by many. 

When I first got my diagnosis and word started to spread, long before I ever worked here, Mood sent me a care package with Fruity Crisps and Marshmallow Crisps from Andy’s Bakery, along with some swag, accessories, syrups, and edibles. 

They didn’t know me, but had heard about my illness. There was no benefit to them doing that. And even more fortunately, the chemo and radiation did their job. Miraculously, I had had a “complete” response to the treatment, and would be placed on a “watch and wait” protocol. Every few months for two years, I would come in for scopes and scans to check the tumor site, but surgery would wait.

Looking Ahead

A cancer diagnosis changes everything. It inspires the mind to re-evaluate, and thus, perspectives shift, relationships evolve, and priorities change. 

Before getting sick, I had never had any health issues. To suddenly face so much uncertainty, the fear of the worst-case scenario was something I had never experienced. 

A New Adventure

When I first started on “watch and wait,” I began thinking about the things, places, and people that were important to me. I recognized that life can change in an instant. 

You never know when your life will be upended by tragedy, and while it's a cliche to say that “tomorrow is never promised,” it’s also too true. 

I decided then that I can’t, won’t, refuse to wait for “someday,” for the cancer to come back, for a retirement that may never come, or may not be able to be enjoyed. 

I want to see the world. I want to experience more. I want these years I have left, however many there may be, to be filled with moments of joy and lovely surprises—sunsets in strange places, and sunrises over mountains, and rainstorms from campsites. So, I’m hitting the road, and Mood is coming with me and supporting this dream with a state-of-the-art camper van. We’ve also decided to use the trip to raise as much money as possible for the Colorectal Cancer Alliance. 

How To Give & Save

When you head to our End Colon Cancer Coast to Coast page and give to the CCA, we will match every dollar you donate with an equal amount of Mood points. 

Donate Now

You can save on a wide range of unique cannabis products with your Mood Loyalty Program points and membership. 

In honor of the trip and to help raise awareness, we are also offering a unique discount code: MOODTOUR, for a 20% savings opportunity. Enter that code in the Mood Shop, and we'll donate 25% of your order total to CCA!

Mood Does America

How To Follow

To follow along, check out our new Mood Does America accounts on Instagram and TikTok. You can also sign up for our email newsletter if you haven’t already (link in footer) for updates on my travels, and links to my weekly blog dispatch updates. 

I will aggressively cross people, places, and things off my bucket list. I will see places like the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone, hike Glacier and Zion, and spend time in amazing cities like Houston, New Orleans, Austin, Vegas, and Seattle. I will drive up the PCH and (maybe) jump out of planes. The next few months are going to be amazing!

Gratitude & Passion

I am incredibly fortunate to not only work remotely but also for a company that has so wholeheartedly endorsed my trip. 

In my previous life as a chef, as much as I enjoyed it and as good as I was at it, it was never my “passion.” You know, that thing everyone always tells you to chase? That special thing that you love so much, you should do it for the rest of your life?

It took me some years to finally find what that thing was for me. My purpose, the reason I am here on this earth, is to help other people. I truly believe that making the lives of others better, easier, a little brighter, or slightly less awful, is what I’m supposed to be doing with my life. To reference Mr. Rogers, I’m supposed to be one of the “helpers.”

Let's Take An Adventure Together

It's an incredible opportunity to use this trip, my voice, the reach and resources of a company like Mood to help people. 

While raising money for the CCA is something we’re going to do A LOT of in the coming months, I’m also going to talk about cancer, men’s mental health, and cannabis in the hopes that my lived experience can inspire someone else to get checked out or to help them get through another hard day. I am SO damn lucky to still be here, that the chemo and radiation worked as well as they did, and that every scope and scan I’ve had since then has come back clear. I’m going to make the most of it. 

Whenever my story ends, it will not be one full of regrets or of unfulfilled adventures. Instead, it will be rich with travel, discovery, and giving. 

I’ll be filming and sharing every step of the way. I would love for you to follow and share with anyone else who might appreciate some travel tips, fun cannabis content, and the opportunity to support an amazing cause.