In December of 2007 a friend of mine was diagnosed with cancer, and spent essentially all of 2008 battling it in a fight for her life. Thankfully, after a bone marrow transplant and a multitude of other treatments, she made it through that dark valley in her life and is doing very well now. This is literally nothing short of a miracle. Throughout her hospital stay, she along with family and friends kept me updated on her status via the free website CaringBridge.
Tonight I visited with another friend who has a parent in intensive care here in Oklahoma City, and he asked about a website he’d heard me talk about for sending out free SMS updates to friends and family. (Textmarks) I recommended that he give CaringBridge a try, not only because it facilitates communication OUT to friends and family, but also because it permits comments and feedback from others. This can be VERY important and meaningful during a difficult time of struggle with health or other issues.
This 30 second YouTube video provides more information about CaringBridge:
According to the CaringBridge “About Our Service” page:
Every free, personalized CaringBridge website includes:
– Patient care journal to update family and friends
– Guestbook for messages of love
– Photo gallery
– Free online support for using the service
Over 150,000 families have used CaringBridge to date. I think this is a fantastic way web 2.0 technologies can and are being used to bring and keep people closer together. CaringBridge is a good example of a humanizing technology. Family and friends don’t have to visit the CaringBridge website every day to stay up-to-date, the site permits email updates as well.
Are you aware or have you used other websites like CaringBridge to help loved ones stay in touch during a hospitalization or other time of crisis?
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