Simon, who is terminally ill with colon cancer, says that 'there is stuff happening, really good stuff, every week' after donating much of his earnings to help animals and less fortunate people.
- Jul 29, 2013
AceShowbiz - "The Simpsons" co-creator Sam Simon uses his money from the highly popular animated show to help animals and less-fortunate people as he battles colon cancer. Simon, who told The Hollywood Reporter that he donated "tens of millions" to shut down abusive animal shows, treat sick dogs as well as give free food to people, said that he was happy to be able to do something for them.
"I get pleasure from it. I love it. I don't feel like it is an obligation," Simon, who created "The Simpsons" about 20 years ago alongside cartoonist Matt Groenig, said. "I have more money than I'm interested in spending. Everyone in my family is taken care of. And I enjoy this," he explained, adding that "there is stuff happening, really good stuff, every week."
The nine-time Emmy winner admitted that he was an animal lover. His love for animals, especially dogs, made him get involved with PETA following an episode of "The Drew Carey Show" which covered a greyhound racing. The philanthropist later got closer with the organization's staff members.
Following his cancer diagnosis five months ago, Simon was forced to have meetings with people from animal-related organizations from his hospital bed when he felt sick. The TV writer, who underwent surgery and is currently on chemotherapy, gathered ideas from those people to help animals. Since then, he has donated to PETA, international nonprofit Save the Children and marine conservation organization the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.
Simon, who fed the hungry with his "cruelty-free vegan food" bank, also gave free surgeries to cats and dogs in mobile clinics with his Malibu-based Sam Simon Foundation. The 58-year-old TV writer said of his hopes, "I want medical experiments on animals stopped. They don't do anything, and they don't work. Veganism is an answer for almost every problem facing the world in terms of hunger and climate change."
