This is How We Show Up

Since its launch in 1997, CaringBridge has offered a safe place for hundreds of thousands of patients and caregivers to turn after diagnosis, illness, injury, premature birth … any health crisis. Our Vision reflects how families and loved ones like you see CaringBridge: A world where no one goes through a health journey alone.

Even with CaringBridge users spread across all 50 states and 235 countries and territories, we still hear–often –that everyone needs to know CaringBridge is available to support families through the toughest times of life: free, advertising-free, and always protective of privacy.

So with the encouragement of those whom CaringBridge has helped, and the participation of five families who have used CaringBridge over the years, we have created a series of short videos to encourage patients and caregivers everywhere to start a site. Please watch, enjoy … and spread the word about CaringBridge.

And finally, because it is human nature to want to know the stories behind the stories, please take a moment to meet the amazing families who appear in the videos:

• Abby Scott of Jupiter, FL, was a red-haired toddler in 2009, when her Mom, Jennifer, started writing on CaringBridge. Abby had been diagnosed in-utero with an extremely rare condition called Congenital Femoral Deficiency—her right femur was half the length of her left femur. Over years of hip and knee reconstructions and painful leg-lengthening surgeries, all documented on her CaringBridge site, Abby’s goal has been simple: to have both feet on the ground. Her parents said they have come to regard CaringBridge as their family’s blog, and that they intend to keep posting … forever.

• Molly Sturgis of Chaska MN, said that after her toddler son, Telly, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, many people assured her that cancer had a silver lining. In 2014, a year during which Telly remained in the hospital for 118 days straight, Molly said she couldn’t imagine any upside to her child’s suffering. But today, as cancer-free Telly turns somersaults in the living room, Molly said her family feels lucky, and blessed. Among her biggest blessings was the support that came through CaringBridge. She said, “It lifted me up when I was at my lowest.”

• As a U.S Army veteran—82nd Airborne Division—and sheriff’s deputy for 13 years, Jeff Edwards of Herman, MN, had survived many dangerous situations and close calls. So when he broke his neck in shallow water, while on vacation in Mexico in 2015, family and friends back home were desperate for information on what had happened, and how they could help. A friend of the family set up a CaringBridge site for Jeff, which longtime girlfriend Dani Murdoff used to keep everyone updated through Jeff’s surgeries and physical rehabilitation at the Spinal Cord Injury & Disorder Center at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System. Jeff said that during the months he was far from home, comments posted to his CaringBridge Journal provided inspiration and motivation to heal.

• Since receiving a new liver in 2015, Chad Methum of New Hope, MN, has not wavered in honoring his second chance at life. Even as memories of edging toward 39 on a scale of 40 for end-stage liver disease become more distant, Chad still takes very seriously his exercise routine and commitment to healthy eating. He is back to walking his dogs with his fiancé, Trista, and plays 18 holes of golf as often as one can, living in Minnesota. Chad said his CaringBridge site is the record of him becoming whole again, albeit now with a 12-inch scar across his abdomen.

• Over the years that Andre Beasley of Somerset, WI, has faced kidney cancer—twice—his mom, Amy, said she has found in CaringBridge a safe place to turn for hope, help and healing. “So many people have said, ‘Oh, I could never be as strong as you are going through this,’” Amy said. “But with the support that comes through CaringBridge, we know we are not alone.” Amy said she believes that sharing Andre’s story, will inspire more people to treat kids with cancer simply as kids. She said, “They are just average people who have gotten news most people their age have never had to deal with.”

Start a CaringBridge Site

When you’re going through a health journey, you have a lot on your plate. CaringBridge replaces the time-consuming task of sharing your health news over and over. It’s a free, easy to use online journal for sharing health information with your family and friends.