CaringBridge: Keeping Loved Ones Connected

If you’ve ever been sick or supported a loved one during a health crisis, you know how vital it is for everyone to stay in touch. But giving and receiving support can be a painful and complicated business. Enter CaringBridge, a unique virtual community that connects loved ones at the most difficult times.

Sona Mehring, Founder and Executive director of CaringBridge, told me the story of her close friend, JoAnn, who suffered complications during a high-risk pregnancy. JoAnn's husband, Darrin, called Sona and asked, “Can you let everyone know what’s going on?”

Sona jumped into action, relating the news to relatives and friends. Sona realized there might be another way to keep all those people—many who lived across the country and the world—in the loop, and enable them to feel empowered during a crisis. Using her technology savvy, she set up a Web site so family and friends could do just that.

Baby Brighid was born during the twenty-fourth week of pregnancy. According to Sona, “[The idea for] CaringBridge was born on the same night Brighid was born.”

The family was able to communicate while JoAnn got her rest. Visitors went to the online guestbook to send the family love, prayers, and words of encouragement. The site posted daily updates about mom and Brighid, too. But after many days of surgery, Brighid died.

Out of this family’s tragedy came something hopeful. Conveying this horrible news had been very difficult, but avoiding the painful burden of many phone calls—and communicating via the Web instead—made it somewhat easier. Knowing this, Sona and both families were inspired to set up a Web site at their local hospital so others could benefit, too.

Sona took the idea even further and, using her knowledge of technology, launched CaringBridge in 1997.

Today anyone can set up a free Web site through CaringBridge. You do not have to contribute or be a sponsor to set up a site. Some visitors suffer from a long-term disease or are undergoing cancer treatments. Others endure car accidents and take months to recover. And still others, according to Sona, “Go through a two-week surgery and just want to be in touch.”