If someone you know is experiencing a difficult illness or coping with an accident, you may know they need help, but aren't sure what you can say or do to make things better. One of the resources they might be able to use is CaringBridge, a nonprofit organization that offers free patient websites help loved ones share information and support throughout a significant health challenge.
It was a resource Bill Lindberg found useful. has dedicated himself to serving others – professionally coaching them in navigating life's transitions, renewing their passions and achieving new goals. He has faithfully supported others during times of difficulty, stress and uncertainty. But in October 2009, Bill was diagnosed with stage IV melanoma after doctors found a large tumor in one of his lymph nodes and one of his adrenal glands. In November of that same year, Bill underwent surgery to remove the tumors.
The day before his surgery, he decided to create a CaringBridge website to keep others updated on his progress after a friend who had previously used CaringBridge suggested he check it out. “It was so valuable to me to be able to tell my story,” says Bill.
Bill says his favorite part about his CaringBridge website is the “ability to stay in touch and ability to not tell the story in an exhausting way.”
The advantages of using CaringBridge during a health crisis are many. First, it helps family members reduce time and emotional energy spent on repeated phone calls and e–mails. Plus, it keeps everyone informed with the same, accurate information. When there is a specific need, the family can quickly and easily spread the need.
CaringBrudge sites connect a patient's entire community, creating a network of support for everyone involved as family and friends can post messages of love, hope and compassion from around the world. To learn more about CaringBridge, go to http://www.caringbridge.org.
CaringBridge offers:
- A mobile website for a streamlined experience from any web-enabled smartphone.
- A free iPhone app so authors can update their journal and visitors can leave messages in the guestbook while on-the-go.
- The ability to be notified via text message when a CaringBridge journal is updated.
- Facebook Connect so authors can easily notify their Facebook friends when they have a new journal entry to share.