Media Archives
May 15, 2011
WCCO
Made In Minnesota: CaringBridge’s Local Roots
It’s probably the most well-known Minnesota company nobody knows is here. Half-a-million people visit CaringBridge every day to write about, or check on, the health of a loved one. And the popular social network was started, and is headquartered, right here in the Twin Cities.
April 26, 2011
SOCIAL MEDIA CLUB
Cancer Blogs Strike Back: How social media educates, supports, and heals one post at a time
Rebellious, uncertain, overjoyed, fragile, strong, hopeful: the voices of the cancer community come in many forms. Cancer fighters, survivors, and caregivers use cancer blogs to share experiences, get information, and connect with others throughout the cancer experience.
April 25, 2011
ALEX’S LEMONADE STAND FOUNDATION
A Web of Support for this Childhood Cancer Hero
Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation Hero Ambassador Amy Costley used CaringBridge to connect and receive support during daughter Karli’s cancer journey.
March 22, 2011
CHILDREN’S CANCER ASSOCIATION
Web of Healing: A Children’s Cancer Association Family uses CaringBridge to Connect and Receive Support
Watching the movie Cars, idolizing Goofy (the Disney character), and playing with siblings are a few of Ramsey Farrar’s very serious, four-year-old hobbies. These seem like common activities for a four-year-old. However, unlike other kids, Ramsey, of Vancouver, Wash., has spent the past two years undergoing treatment for a life-threatening disease: acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
March 21, 2011
THIRDAGE.COM
Women Who Inspire
CaringBridge is a free service that does not register on your radar until you need it, when a close friend or family member is facing a health challenge. Yet CaringBridge websites all over the world have logged 1.3 billion visits since Sona Mehring created the first model for building a community of support for patients and their families. It is one of the most successful online healthcare communities in the world.
March 1, 2011
COPING WITH CANCER
CaringBridge.org: Providing Free Websites for People with Cancer to Connect with Their Loved Ones
CaringBridge is driven by the need and desire to help anyone dealing with cancer or any other serious health event by connecting them with loved ones.
March 1, 2011
Family Circle
Best Wishes
CaringBridge founder, Sona Mehring, shares insight on dealing with a significant health challenge.
February 23, 2011
Fast Company
2011 Most Influential Women in Technology
Fast Company compiled a list of the Most Influential Women In Tech, in part to recognize the challenges that women in technology face--proper recognition being just one of them. The list highlights 30 women in six categories. All of them bring unique brands of thought to their industries.
December 1, 2010
Twin Cities Business
CaringBridge Comes of Age in an Age of Social Media
Seven years before Facebook existed, CaringBridge was building social networks. Now it has grown amid the proliferation of social media.
November 1, 2010
RENALIFE
The Power of Connection During Your Health Journey
CaringBridge helps a family stay connected and receive support while their young daughter had Stage III Wilms’ Tumor.
October 26, 2010
TECHdotMN
Meet Minnesota’s Radical Tech CEO #3: Sona Mehring
If you have to ask who Sona Mehring is, you’re missing the big story. Mehring is a leading tech entrepreneur in Minnesota and certainly among the great women tech entrepreneurs in the U.S.
September 25, 2010
THE PATRIOT MAGAZINE
A Fisher House Family Connects and Receives Support with CaringBridge
A family staying at Fisher House shares how they stayed connected using CaringBridge.
September 2, 2010
The Nurses Station
In this episode, host Jim DeMaria speaks with Judy Trucano about recommending CaringBridge to patients and their families.
August 13, 2010
Scrubs
Sharing Social Media with Your Patients
One way that nurses are helping to improve the inpatient experience is through CaringBridge, a social media website designed for patients and their families to communicate with loved ones.
July 30, 2010
WTIP Radio
Bob Carter and Buck Benson, with WTIP North Shore Community Radio, speak with the CaringBridge founder and CEO, Sona Mehring.
July 1, 2010
DR. MARION.ORG
Recommended Links
Dr. Marion, a nationally-recognized geriatric care manager, lists CaringBridge as a recommended resource for elder care.
May 18, 2010
WIBW
Teen Shares Cancer Journey, Transplant Recovery
Jessica Seidel, a 14 year old from Topeka, has fought a public battle with cancer for the past two years. The community has continued to offer the Seidel family support financially, emotionally, and through blood and bone marrow registration drives.
May 17, 2010
CrazySexyLife
Harnessing the Internet for Hope and Support
Sona Mehring guest blogs about creating CaringBridge.
April 19, 2010
LOS ANGELES TIMES
The many ways to share bad news
More are using electronic forms of communication such as personal Web pages, e-mail, Facebook, Twitter and blogs to share medical news and updates. They can spread the word quickly, but critics believe such news demands a more personal approach.
April 16, 2010
CNN
Social networking makes it easier for patients to ask for help
Many patients have a hard time asking for the assistance they need with household chores and other daily tasks. While patients feel guilty about inconveniencing others, their friends and family often don’t know how to best offer their support.
January 5, 2010
EXAMINER.COM
How to stay in touch when MS flares up
CaringBridge provides a practical tool that allows patients, care partners, family and friends a safe and effective method to disseminate information.
December 2, 2009
Dr. Phil
Parents’ Biggest Fears
Dr. Phil became aware of Kate McRae’s story online, when her parents, Aaron and Holly, put out a call for prayers. Their world turned upside down when their 5–year–old daughter was diagnosed with a malignant, aggressive brain tumor.
November 19, 2009
CHICAGO DAILY HERALD
Finally, a social networking site I really need, and wish I didn’t
For years, I’ve cynically dismissed social networking as the biggest time–wasting tool since I bothered to learn all that CB radio lingo, 10–4, good buddy. “I call them ‘small talk,’” says Sona Mehring, 48, founder of the CaringBridge.org Web site that provides an online outlet when “deeper conversation is needed.”
October 14, 2009
WVLT Volunteer TV News
Battling breast cancer with words
A woman battling cancer turns to the Internet not just for support, but to get rid of the stigma that follows cancer.
October 12, 2009
NBC Connecticut
The CaringBridge
Cancer patients are using the Internet to keep their family and friends updated on their condition.
September 25, 2009
Gaston Gazette
A Dad’s Journal
A dad kept family and friends updated on his premature son’s progress on a CaringBridge website. Here are entries from early in their struggle to live.
July 31, 2009
WISC-TV News 3
Online Journaling Serves As Therapy For Cancer Patient
Social networking websites are helping connect cancer patients to loved ones with the click of a mouse. Think of it as the new-age phone tree.
July 15, 2009
NPR.org
Blogging To Cope With A Daughter's Cancer Fight
While Christina Avery is a private person, she has found some comfort in blogging about her daughter’s struggle with cancer.
July 13, 2009
SHOWCASE MINNESOTA
Interview with Sona Mehring
Sona Mehring talks about CaringBridge on Showcase Minnesota which highlights the best companies, products and services in the Twin Cities.
June 24, 2009
CURETODAY.COM
Tips for managing the financial cost of caregiving
Caregivers learn the cost of cancer caregiving can be both expensive and surprising. Here are a few financial tips for caregivers.
June 19, 2009
INVESTOR’S BUSINESS DAILY
New Social Network Sites Give Ailing Folks Support
When their yet–to–be–born daughter needed cardiac surgery, the Atherton family turned to nonprofit Web service CaringBridge to let family and friends follow her progress.
June 15, 2009
CNN
Social support can be a lifeline during health crisis
During a serious medical event, social support can help a person live better, maybe longer.
May 20, 2009
JEFFERSON CITY NEWS TRIBUNE
Web of Compassion
For hundreds of thousands of families around the world, CaringBridge has opened the line of communication during their time of diagnosis, treatment and recovery.
April 29, 2009
THE DAILY CITIZEN
Memorial has new Web site
Patients can create a personalized Web site to keep loved ones anywhere in the world informed during their hospital stay and beyond.
April 28, 2009
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
Chicagoan John Huston back from icy trek to North Pole, ready for baseball
Through it all, Huston said he was motivated by thoughts of loved ones and family support, as well as a charity partner — CaringBridge.
April 27, 2009
EXAMINER.COM
A website for family caregivers to share the news about a loved one
Sometimes one of the hardest things about learning of your loved ones illness is sharing the news and details with all the people who need and want to know.
April 13, 2009
THE STUPID CANCER SHOW
Stupid Cancer 101
Sona Mehring, founder of CaringBridge, is interviewed on The Stupid Cancer Show, the voice of young adults with cancer.
April 3, 2009
JOURNAL GAZETTE & TIMES-COURIER
St. Anthony’s Web site offers ways for loved ones to stay in touch
The support and encouragement of loved ones is crucial when diagnosed with a serious medical condition and when fighting to defeat the illness. CaringBridge provides a way to receive that support over the Internet.
April 1, 2009
THE NEW SOCIAL WORKER
CaringBridge: A Valuable Tool for Social Workers and Those With Critical Illness
For anyone dealing with an illness, (self, caregiver, partner, family member, close friend), I highly recommend setting up a personalized CaringBridge site. I think that the service offers social workers an invaluable and potentially very creative resource to share with consumers.
March 24, 2009
SPENCER DAILY REPORTER
Spencer Hospital adds CaringBridge service
Spencer Hospital has formed a partnership with CaringBridge, a nonprofit Web service that connects families and friends when someone is facing a serious medical condition, treatment or in recovery.
March 15, 2009
JEWISH ACTION
Holding God’s Hand
For nearly a year now, Simcha Esther (Shari) Gershan has been looking the Angel of Death in the eye and smiling back at him. She’s also been telling the world about it on her Internet blog.
February 24, 2009
PURSE STRINGS – WEBMASTER RADIO.FM
CaringBridge Connecting Families
Maria Reitan interviews Sona Mehring, Founder and Executive Director of CaringBridge, a site that connects family and friends during a critical illness, treatment or recovery.
February 23, 2009
NURSE.COM
Opinion: Caring Bridge Provides Support During Health Crises
From personal experience, CaringBridge lives up to its name. Everyone's support has kept my family afloat and has left an everlasting impression about my father that we will keep close to our hearts.
January 16, 2009
WCCO
Explorers Train for the North Pole, Raise Money for CaringBridge
CaringBridge is a social networking website for those suffering from an illness; it connects the sick to friends and family who are eager for updates.
December 10, 2008
NEWSWEEK
Fighting On Two Fronts
When military families, already strained by long war-zone deployments, get hit with a devastating illness at home.
November 25, 2008
SILVERPLANET.COM
CaringBridge Lends Support to Caregivers
Caregivers are tasked with the toughest of jobs: balancing the stress of tending to a sick loved one with the emotional drain of answering questions from those concerned.
October 14, 2008
LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL
ONLINE GUY: CaringBridge helps families stand together in face of crisis
I hope you never have to use the Web site I’m featuring today, but chances are, you will. So clip this for the right time, or add the site to your bookmarks.
July 18, 2008
STARS AND STRIPES
Loved ones track healing through Web site
A social networking site created a decade ago by a Minnesota woman helping a friend work through a crisis pregnancy has become a vehicle for wounded U.S. troops trying to stay connected with family and friends as they struggle to recover from war injuries.
Used with permission from Stars and Stripes.
© 2008 Stars and Stripes.
June 1, 2008
WOMEN AND CANCER MAGAZINE
Personal Web sites unite patients, friends, and family to share news, celebrations, comfort, and hope.
The popular adage that there is strength in numbers is never more evident than when a community of family and friends rallies around a loved one at the time of a health crisis or accident.
May 1, 2008
DELTA SKY MAGAZINE
Technology With a Heart
At a time when the Internet is making headlines for a lot of the wrong reasons, CaringBridge stands out as an innovative, shining example of how the technology can be put to good use.
March 5, 2008
WAHPETON DAILY NEWS
St. Francis offers patient support through Web site
"... Trisha Nordick has a CaringBridge page dedicated to her daughter, London, who was diagnosed with a rare fetal abnormality in 2006. Trisha said the best part was updating friends and family without having to make so many phone calls."
March 4, 2008
ABC NEWS
Caring Connection with CaringBridge
"The purpose is to keep family and loved ones informed when someone is facing a serious health condition. This network has grown to more than 20 million people ..."
February 11, 2008
MSNBC.COM
Coping with a health crisis, one click at a time
Brad Coulter and his daughters, Brandi and Brianna, suffered back injuries in the collapse of the I–35 bridge in Minnesota.
February 5, 2008
THESTAR.COM | TORONTO STAR
Grief and comfort connect online
The website went up the first day Bradley Campbell got chemotherapy.
His family’s phone had been ringing 60 times a day ...
January 5, 2008
YAHOO! SPORTS
LSU's Black proves kindness goes a long way
While surfing the Internet Dec. 16, Ciron Black received an email containing a link to CaringBridge.org. He logged on the site and read the story of Michael “Mikey” Conger, an intense LSU fan who is battling cancer–related complications at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis.
November 12, 2007
CANADA FREE PRESS
A Family’s Rock–solid Faith in God
Not a day goes by that I don’t pray for 14–year–old Christian Barker. Eighteen months ago Christian was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia that is unresponsive to chemotherapy.
November 1, 2007
SPIRITUALITY & HEALTH
Create a CaringBridge during Health Crises
When someone you love is too sick or too exhausted to pick up a phone, let alone form coherent sentences, here's how to help.
October 24, 2007
THE PATIENT REPORT.COM
Free, Secure Personalized Websites For Seriously Ill Patients, Families And Friends
When someone is seeking an elusive diagnosis or undergoing major treatment, that patient benefits enormously from the support of friends and family. Staying current and connected is no easy task at a time like this.
October 23, 2007
BLOGS.TECH-RECIPES.COM
CaringBridge.org provides support during illness, treatment and recovery.
My mom showed me a great website today that has helped her keep appraised of the treatment of two people very dear to her. CaringBridge.org provides a free, easy-to-use service that allows users to maintain a journal, similar to a blog, and to receive messages of support from family and friends.
October 21, 2007
TCPALM
Online service helps loved ones stay informed on treatments
"I was so impressed by the fact that extended family and friends could keep in contact and send messages," McCluskey said. "So I had to find out more about it."
October 16, 2007
ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT–GAZETTE
Staying “ill” informed
CaringBridge’s free Web sites are a lifeline for people dealing with health crises. People like Laura Newman of Little Rock, who was diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma— breast cancer—in April 2006.
September 1, 2007
BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS
A Caring Connection
A soldier injured in battle, a child undergoing treatment for a disease, an elderly parent’s hip replacement. These sorts of trials separate us from our friends and family at a time we most need them. And staying connected can be difficult. “It drains people answering the same questions over and over—reliving the pain each time. Families just run out of time and energy,” ...
August 21, 2007
KVAL CBS 13
Patients log on to stay connected
“She said, I’m sure it’s nothing, I’m really sure but let’s do a routine blood panel and see what we come up with and 3 hours later we had a diagnosis of leukemia,’ says Sarah’s mom Jodi.
August 11, 2007
SAVAGE PACER
Coulter family begins road to recovery
“We are lucky to be alive. As I sit here looking at pictures and trying to digest the last week, I can only sit in awe. It is amazing how four seconds can change the course of your life.”
June 19, 2007
MINNESOTA PUBLIC RADIO
Web site marks a decade of connecting patients and families
In 1997 Sona Mehring’s close friends were midway through their pregnancy, when a sudden health problem sent them rushing to the hospital. During those first confused hours, Mehring felt helpless.
June 16, 2007
JS ONLINE, MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL
Site links loved ones with medical patients
With his sister-in-law in critical condition after an April motorcycle crash in Muskego, Steve Whittow realized watching a loved one battle for life also brings communication difficulties.
June 7, 2007
NEW RICHMOND NEWS
CaringBridge marks 10 years of connections
“It’s been 10 years and the pain never really goes away.” Darrin Hardegger, Somerset resident, spoke of losing his infant daughter, Brighid.
April 10, 2007
TOLEDOBLADE.COM
Anthony Wayne graduate wounded in Iraq making Florida recovery
With his wife there to scroll down the screen for him, Sergeant Keil was able to read greetings sent to him from family and friends in northwest Ohio, where he graduated from Anthony Wayne High School ...
April 9, 2007
NEWSWEEK
My Life with Cancer
“One Web resource, however, was indispensable. My sister set up an account with a nonprofit site called caringbridge.org that brought order and even pleasure to my communication with the outside world ...”
April 6, 2007
NBC NIGHTLY NEWS: “MAKING A DIFFERENCE”
During illness, a bridge to family and friends
Katie Pagano of Torrington, Conn., is three-and-a-half years old. She had leukemia.
“That's what got me through every single day,” Lori says. “To know that all these people were praying for her and cared about her.”
April 1, 2007
ASSISTED LIVING CONSULT
Strengthening Resident Social Support Systems
Assisted living (AL) facility medical teams know how vital social support systems are for a patient’s recovery—particularly for newly admitted patients coming from long-term hospital stays.
March 12, 2007
NURSE.COM
CaringBridge Keeps Loved Ones Well-Connected
Assisted living (AL) facility medical teams know how vital social support systems are for a patient’s recovery - particularly for newly admitted patients coming from long-term hospital stays.