We are coming up on the anniversary of the day DJ(Darren Johnson) started this web site.    It was in April of 1998.  He started it because he could not find anything on the web about his rare condition called Cluster Headaches that he suffered from.

Since then people have come and gone.

New people are finding us here every single day and are helped by the information and support they have found here.  Their numbers are more than 10,000 now.

Because of this very site, different countries have started their own site..England, Norway, Italy, etc.  It has spawned many new treatments. (Clusterbusters)and helped to stop many many folks to take their life. I, personally have private knowledge of that due to my involvement with Family Services.

In all of these years DJ has never once asked for donations. (May people have donated anyway)  In order to honor and thank him for these 15 years, I thought it might be nice for all of us to tell him here in this thread what this place has meant to us and how it's changed our lives.

Try to keep it short if you can. I know it won't be easy though.


DJ...from the bottom of my heart, I thank you.

Linda

To me... well I'm here.. and I don't think I would be without this site. I was in BAD shape when I found it in 98.

Thanks DJ and you know I love you. :-*

Fuckeneh! Thanks, Deej...

Fuckeneh!

I've just come back to this site after an absence of almost 14 years.  I thought I had outlived this curse.  Guess not.  A few days ago, I posted "DJ is a hero of mine".  I'm 74, and this is the only place I have ever met others who understand.  I hope he understands how valuable his creation is.

As truly spoke by the immortal wot's-his-name:  -

I NEVER could have imagined (Aril 11, 1998 - present)

Fall 1999 I came here and self diagnosed myself, presented my findings to a headache specialist/neurologist and began my journey to reluctant acceptance instead of continuing being a guinea pig without a formal diagnosis.

This website has saved my life countless times thanks to DJ who created this site and all the wonderful supportive fellow CH'ers here in Clusterville who have contributed. 

Thanks all ;)

-Gregg in Las Vegas

Just over 3 years ago I started with what was diagnosed as CH and I was trying to get by with just some codeine tablets to knock me out when I got a CH. I wasn't in a great place and life wasn't too good at all. I soon learnt just how I should be getting my CH treated from people who really understood just what I was going through. The results transformed my life and for my supporter too, all thanks to DJ and what he kick started, bringing together so many great people with such outstanding results.

Thank you....

I don't believe there has been a day since March 28, 2003 at 12:46 am I have not blessed the name of Darren Johnson.  I first found the site in 1999, but didn't have computer access.  Would go to the library, but only had 30 mins to get on, and the computers were s l o w!  I signed up in 2001 on a free internet trial, but didn't have the money to continue it and had to let it lapse.  In 2003 I was in such a bad way I knew I had to have help, and paid the price to get online access, even though I had to let other things slide.  I've not been sorry since! 

I've told DJ "thanks" a number of times, and that this site saved my life, but I don't get tired of saying it again.  Thank you, Deej, from the bottom of my heart.  I'm so glad God blessed you with Steph, because that just rounded things out for you.  I'm so grateful for both of you, and pray for you both regularly.

Jerry

Thank you, DJ.

Thank you, Deej.


Jeannie

Hey DeeJ, thanks for letting me watch them pull the cath out of your carotid and measure your pee! ;)

BOB !!!  [smiley=JAW_DROP.gif] 
lmao

Whose DJ ?

Thank you from the bottom of my heart, DJ.

I've know a lot of people over the years but never one who has touched so many lives and made such a huge difference.

Love and best wishes....to you and your wonderful family!!   :) :-*

Bob P wrote on Apr 15^th, 2013 at 10:56am:

Hey DeeJ, thanks for letting me watch them pull the cath out of your carotid and measure your pee! ;)

That would have been young Zipper Head when he was chasing around the girls at Stanford with his hospital gown on backwards.

Thank you Sir Johnson!

Marc

Deej...the deejster... zippy...

What can I say, bro...except thank you.  :-*

Thanks DJ

You have saved my life more that once With this site     :):):):)

DJ - you have done so much more for all of us than you can ever imagine.  From the bottom of my heart - thank you!

I've met the most amazing people here who have become the most amazing friends. 

If it weren't for DJ and his vision, our lives would be vastly different, and not in a good way.

We owe you our gratitude and respect for reaching out in your pain to engage a diverse community and making it real and good.

Love you and your family with all our hearts.

He alright. :-*

Found this sit in early 1999, I hav deleted my profile one or two times because I was and still am a computer idiot. But DJ personally helped me get it sorted out. I can truly say that I probably wouldn't be here today had I not become a part of this family. I really do feel like this is my second family. For this DJ, I a eterenally greatful!

Patrick(Pfunk)

I want to truly thank you DJ for having the vision to start this site.  It has helped me personally more than I can state, and I am sure others feel the same way.  It helps so much to have a community to talk to who can relate to what you are going through.  Even with the most supportive of families, nobody knows except another CH'er what you are battleing,  and that truly helps.  Not to mention all of the advice on different treatments to be found here.  THANK YOU!!!!

Thank you so very much for being so committed to the cause.  You have impacted my life in such a great way!  Im tearing up just thinking about all the memories over the last 15 years.  God Bless You!

New member here who will be forever grateful to DJ and all others who come here to be a part of, and to share.

This place is a rock in the foundation that is allowing me to rebuild my life!

Peace Of Mind

GREAT going Deej.    Been a very helpful, long and good time.   :)

Hey,
Some of you will remember me newer members won't.  My name is Ree.  I was a supporter for more than 20 years and coming to this site in 1999 was the best thing that happened to our family.  My x Dave is a cluster sufferer and doesn't type... I became his fingers here and found him a wealth of information that made his clusters more tolerable just knowing there were others in the world like him.  In the years I came to this site I made some of the best friends anyone could ever have.  I still keep in touch on FB.  But after my husband left us in Nov 2009 it broke my heart to come here. 
He is in one of his biggest more painful cycles than ever.  I can't help to believe that if I could help him it would be better... if he came here it would be better. He has moved on.  Is living with another woman on the other side of Massachusetts and barely even sees our kids... its taking me forever to move on. 
Thanks DJ for your dedication to Cluster Headache.  You have saved many lives.  Though I don't visit often I still know you are here.  Love to you my friend!

ree

After coming on line, it quickly occurred to me that there might be others with CH experience. Yikes! Look what I found thanks to DJ.

The guy had the gumption to set it up!

Thanks DJ!

Dj....
There is absolutely no doubt in my mind whatsoever that if it were not for this place that you created (Clusterville)
i would not be here to write this so in fact my friend you saved my life!!

All the great supporters and ALL that are here selflessly to help those in desperate need and all that suffer make this a truly life saving, altering, changing INCREDIBLE place and i will hold it in my heart for the rest of my life.

Thank you Dj and Mrs. Deej for your selfless contribution that will continue help those that suffer and those who suffer us and to save the lives of so many with this INSANE disorder that we call CH!!
God bless you....Johnny :)

P.S. I so look forward to our venture as donations are most definitely coming your way!.... ;)

    DJ and this site saved me from, best case, ending up jobless and living in the street. Worse case, we won't go there. You rule. Always have.

Mike

D.J.


This place saved my life and brought me so much.
It gave me a family and people to give back to.

I thank you for everything

You're the man!

E

Thank you to everyone who posted their thanks and appreciation to DJ in this thread.

Besides this site, some of you newer folks might not know that DJ also started another site that has also saved lives.  A support and information site for another rare condition called MoyaMoya that DJ also has.

The man is a virtual life-saver for so many.

This is Dj's other support site about MoyaMoya and again Dj shows that there are a few selfless people in this world that go out of there way to help others that suffer....Dj your THE MAN!!.... ;)START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

Thanks DJ..Its nice to not feel alone and tips/info is very helpful with care. :)

You're right Linda... we owe a lot to Deej and Steph... I also realize that he has never once asked for one dime to keep the sight going...  But that matter I can't donate what I would like to, but I make sure that I donate a little something at least once each year (just as I did last month)...

Luv & Like U Much...

Nope.  He never has asked for a dime Lady Luv and most probably never will even though I have no idea what the cost of maintaining this site would be, many have donated as much as they could afford to it's upkeep over the years.  PayPal button on the bottom of every thread I believe, takes no time at all and takes very small increments.  Even 1.00 from each and every one of us goes a long way towards helping.

You Got It Linda...  I really and truly believe with all my heart that had it not been for the people that I met through this sight, I might not be here today...  No matter how late or how early.. there has always been someone for me to talk with.

When Double E's first child was born, he was my midnight to 5am person... Many mornings he have talked me down off the hill top,, 

When I felt that I couldn't or didn't want to go on, you and Jackie, pulled, pushed and I think a couple times you two kicked me  >:( back in line.. And for that I thank you...  Many others have also been there for me in different ways over the years.. and it's all because of this site...
...  Yes Deej is one of my Hero's...