MEET PATRICK P. LONG
Patrick P. Long is a father and widower born and raised in St. Louis, MO. While pursuing his lifelong ambition of being a writer, Patrick has earned his living as a systems' engineer and database architect, which means he is a nerdy computer programmer.
Patrick has passions for aviation, sports, reading, writing, theater, music, movies, and popcorn. He eats way too much pizza and buffalo wings. He likes to binge-watch really good television shows.
Patrick has trained as a pilot and flown an airplane solo. He completed a grueling 24-hour adventure race with four of his most insane friends. In training, Patrick flipped over the handlebars of his mountain bike and smashed face-first into a tree, somehow managing not to break his nose or knock out any teeth. What is even more embarrassing and he doesn't want to admit is that he did it again a week later.
Patrick's wife, Melanie, passed from breast cancer in 2019. In the months following her passing, Patrick endeavored to follow his lifelong dream of being an author and delved deeper into the grieving process by writing a memoir of Melanie’s final weeks and their lives and relationship. In addition to his dedication to writing and speaking, Patrick continuously seeks outlets to share stories of hope and inspiration to help cancer victims, caregivers, and anyone overcoming trauma and tragedy in their lives and relationships.
Patrick is an active and avid supporter of the American Cancer Society and also Camp Kesem, a phenomenal camp and a child’s friend through and beyond a parent’s cancer.