helps to overcome physical and emotional distances when being there - - PDF document

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society and CaringBridge partner together to provide you with free, personal websites to connect you with family and friends when health matters most. It’s an easy to use service that saves time and emotional energy, and helps to overcome physical and emotional distances when being there is essential. So now, I’d like to share with you who CaringBridge is and the services they provide. 1

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The CaringBridge Mission. 3

Charity Navigator, an independent charity evaluator, states that CaringBridge consistently executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way and outperforms most

• ther charities in America-differentiating it from its peers and demonstrating to the

public it is worthy of their trust. 4

CaringBridge is designed for one purpose: To help families facing a significant health challenge communicate quickly, privately and efficiently online. A CaringBridge web site includes a care journal, guestbook and photo gallery. No ads means we wont use or sell any of your personal information or sell advertising space on your page. 5

Mehring’s vision was to create a free service that would not only ease the stress of communication, but also provide a means for people to express encouragement and support to ones they love. This function would include pictures and journal updates and an online guestbook. 6

In,1997 founder Sona Mehring’s close friend developed a a life-threatening pregnancy. To keep family and friends informed about the critical situation, Mehring created a website to communicate information to a wide circle of family and friends without disturbing the mother’s need for rest or placing additional demands on hospital staff. 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. 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 online 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.

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Even when WiFi access is not available, CaringBridge can be accessed on any web- enabled smart phone. 9

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*CaringBridge user data compiled in Google Analytics. 11

Our unique approach to privacy sets CaringBridge apart from other online networks. Each CB page provides a private space for the personal, sensitive conversations that take place during significant health challenges. CaringBridge will never sell data to anyone for any reason. Our privacy policy and business practices earned the right to display the TRUSTe and HON Code privacy seals. 12

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CaringBridge isn’t just for cancer patients or just for at-risk pregnancies. We’re here for anyone facing a health challenge.

Accident or serious injury Heart attack & stroke Hospitalization Surgery & organ transplant Hospice care Chronic illness such as MS Rehabilitation & war injury Military deployment International adoption

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Having a CaringBridge site can be equivalent to having 150 hospital visitors a day. 19

CaringBridge solicits from those who have opted in 20

Charitable gifts ensure that our services are available at no charge to the families who use them, and enable us to provide valuable programs and services, sustain our technology infrastructure and

expand education and outreach efforts like this one.

90% of donations are from individual charitable giving. 21

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You can update your page, write journal entries and add photos from any device with a connection to the Internet. In addition, a style gallery allows each website to highlight the individual interests and style of the patient. For example, you see the “COURAGE” yellow background in this slide but individuals may choose from over 150 options ranging from fishing, sunflowers, cause ribbon and more. 25

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General 31

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