I dont know about you, but I am always confused as to what charities are really deserving of donations and what one spend the majority of their monies on administration. So ---- I found one for myself.
I have a young friend (17 and very very brave) dying of Ewing's Sarcoma. It has be a very hard road for him and his parents and they are an inspiration to all of us who have had the privilage of knowing them. But - what I wanted to tell you all about was this wonderful web site that is totally non profit and keeps everyone connected. It provides a journal to post the patient's progress or lack of and just news for friends and family. No million phone calls to make, just one post. There is a place for all friends and family to post messages to the patient and family members and it also provides an area for pictures.
It is called Caring Bridge and is exactly what the name implies. I dont have to call a family member to find out if my friend is still hanging in there or gone. I just read the posts and I can post a prayer, poem, and just a message to them without invading their most difficult and trying moments.
I am posting a history of the site below and if anyone is looking for a place to give there is infomation on the site as to how to make a donation. I was just really impressed with the service provided to all of those in need WITHOUT COST that I wanted to share it with you.
CaringBridge History
In 1997, founder Sona Mehring's close friend suffered a life-threatening pregnancy. To keep family and friends informed about the critical situation, Sona and friends created a website.
The site allowed family members to communicate information to a wide circle of people without disturbing the mother's need for rest or placing additional demands on hospital staff.
Fighting for their lives
Baby Brighid was born almost three months premature. With her mother in critical condition, the one-pound preemie was quickly rushed to the Newborn Intensive Care Unit at Children's Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota.
The family posted daily news about mom and Brighid on the website. An accompanying online guestbook enabled visitors to send the family messages of love and encouragement.
Sadly, Brighid's story does not have a happy ending. After a nine-day struggle against tremendous odds, she died in surgery.
An outpouring of love
The website allowed the family to convey this saddest of news without the painful burden of several emotional phone calls. The parents also had a place to post a final message to honor Brighid and their supportive online community.
Brighid's death prompted an outpouring of loving messages to the family. They immediately understood that other patients dealing with the birth of a premature baby, childhood cancer or other critical illness would benefit from the same web resources.
A memorial fund, created in Brighid's memory, enabled Children's Hospital in St. Paul to dedicate a computer and Internet access for patients and families wishing to create their own online communities.
And CaringBridge was born.
Central A/C
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