New at the Minnesota State Fair: CaringBridge "Compassion is Contagious" Exhibit

Eagan, Minn. (Aug. 24, 2011) —

CaringBridge, a Minnesota-based nonprofit providing free patient websites that connect people experiencing a significant health challenge to their family and friends, will host the "Compassion is Contagious" exhibit at the Minnesota State Fair from August 25 to September 5, 2011.

The mission of CaringBridge is to amplify the love, hope and compassion in the world, making each health journey easier. Staying connected to family and friends during situations such as cancer, premature birth or serious injury can have a powerful impact on the healing process. Through a CaringBridge site, families can easily update those who care allowing them to focus their energies on the person who requires healing. Supporters stay involved by reading journal entries, viewing photos, and leaving messages of love and support in the guestbook.

To help fulfill its mission and generate awareness of the free patient support service, CaringBridge is hosting the "Compassion is Contagious" exhibit at the Great Minnesota Get-Together. The exhibit is a 20 foot interactive wall display located in the Health Fair 11 building. Fairgoers can post inspirational and supportive messages to loved ones facing a health journey. The messages will be on display for the duration of the fair, inspiring others to spread compassion when health matters most.

On personal CaringBridge websites, visitors post messages in the online guestbook section. "This exhibit is a public guestbook for people to write and display a message for someone they care about," said Sona Mehring, CaringBridge founder and CEO. "Seeing thousands of supportive messages, just like patients and caregivers see in their CaringBridge guestbook, is deeply impactful and we hope to share that love, hope and compassion with everyone at the Minnesota State Fair."

The impact of the CaringBridge experience is seen in recent survey of its users. According to the survey, 91 percent of respondents said that using CaringBridge to stay connected by sharing health updates with family and friends helped make their individual health journey easier, while 88 percent said using CaringBridge 

About CaringBridge

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CaringBridge is a nonprofit offering many ways for people to care for each other during any type of health event. Its mission is to amplify the love, hope and compassion in the world, making each health journey easier. For more information, visit www.CaringBridge.org.