CaringBridge

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Sharing the news of a terminal diagnosis is deeply personal whether you're telling your loved ones, your neighbors, or even your boss. There is no single "right" way to do it. What is your advice on how to announce a terminal illness?

Please share in the comments.

We appreciate our partnership with Susan G. Komen, a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to ending breast cancer. Together, we are committed to supporting patients and family caregivers on their breast cancer journey.

Recently, they shared an inspiring article about Cyndi's health journey with metastatic breast cancer. Cyndi is a CaringBridge user and a member of Komen's MBC Steering Committee. Read more about Cyndi's story here www.komen.org/blog/cyndis-story.

If you're taking care of children and parents or older adults, you're a sandwich generation caregiver.

There’s no “one size fits all” advice for sandwich generation burnout because everyone’s situation is unique. You might be solo parenting, caring for grandchildren, or navigating in-laws or spouses who aren’t very involved. Just remember: You’re not alone. The most important thing to know is that it’s okay to make choices that take care of you.

Here, learn about the sandwich generation and explore six tips on how to manage the burnout that can come with the experience.

https://www.caringbridge.org/resources/sandwich-generation-burnout/

Welcome to the new CaringBridge!

The new CaringBridge experience enables easier communication, better coordination of support, and connecting your chosen community for more ways to help in support of all health conditions.

Our look and experience are new and improved, all while continuing to provide you a trusted, private, and ad-free space that you’ve come to rely on that only a nonprofit like CaringBridge can deliver.

Watch this video for a brief overview on what to expect: https://ow.ly/hlaL50Sqzbb

Carewell is a family-run company offering a wide selection of affordable home health products with discreet packaging and the support you need with guides, articles, and 24/7 service. Enjoy fast delivery straight to your doorsteps and the convenience of shopping from home. Visit carewell.sjv.io/Gm7WZB today and receive 30% off your first autoship order!

We'd like to hear from you...

Support groups can be a helpful resource when coping with anticipatory grief. We ask the CaringBridge community: how have support groups helped you process anticipatory grief?

Please share in the comments. 💜

CaringBridge Our vision is a world where no one goes through a health journey alone.

Honoring Juneteenth with CaringBridge

Today, we honor Juneteenth, a day that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and celebrates African American freedom and achievements. At CaringBridge, we stand in solidarity with our community to reflect on our history, recognize the resilience of those who came before us, and commit to fostering a future filled with equality and understanding.

We recognize the vital role that family caregivers play in supporting their loved ones through health journeys. This Juneteenth, let's amplify the voices and stories of Black family caregivers, acknowledging their dedication and unwavering love.

We surround family caregivers with support, celebrating their commitment and the shared journey toward a future where every community thrives. Together, we uplift, support, and honor the freedom to care.

CaringBridge Bookshelf highlight: The Art and Science of Connection

Social health is as important as physical and mental health, according to Harvard-trained social scientist Kasley Killam. In The Art and Science of Connection, she shares how to understand, evaluate, and bolster your social health including a story about a CaringBridge user Courtney, who used CaringBridge during her health journey to feel closer to her family and friends during what was a very difficult time—deepening their bonds and reinforcing the social pillar of her health so that her physical and mental pillars were stronger, too. Order your copy here: www.kasleykillam.com/social-health-book

CaringBridge CEO, Tia Newcomer joins host Ben Wagner on the Medical Alley Podcast to discuss providing community for family caregivers. The podcast is available to stream on all major podcast platforms and medicalalleypodcast.org.

Happy Father's Day to the family caregivers and pillars of support in our lives! Today, we honor the incredible papas, dads, pops, and father figures who not only provide love and guidance but also offer unwavering care and support. Let's take a moment to recognize and appreciate the strength, dedication, and love you bring to your families and communities. Wishing all dads a day filled with gratitude, joy, and heartfelt appreciation.

As we wrap up our 3nd annual World Caring Day celebrations, we know that family caregivers need our continued support, and that support would not be possible without our generous donors.

The Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation has generously offered to double your donation, now through June 14th, up to $20,000. Their generosity helps us all continue the vital work of empowering family caregivers to navigate their journeys with strength and resilience. Donate today to double your impact. ➡️https://www.caringbridge.org/give?split=640

We'd like to hear from you...

From managing mental health to coping with physical symptoms, a lot goes into navigating a terminal illness. What helpful tips would you share for people living with a terminal illness?

Share your comments below. 🩷

CaringBridge Our vision is a world where no one goes through a health journey alone.

CaringBridge CEO, Tia Newcomer, and Dr. Kate Wolin, CaringBridge Chief Science Officer, participated today in the 2024 Global Loneliness Awareness Summit, hosted by The Coalition to End Social Isolation & Loneliness and The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. They represented caregiver voices, along with other thought leaders and policymakers, discussing the role of social connection as a catalyst. That is the power of CaringBridge, improving emotional health and social support, helping people activate a community in support of healing.

World Caring Day is today! There are many ways to engage and show your support for family caregivers everywhere

𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 your experience as a family caregiver or reaching out to a caregiver you know using the hashtag

𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 a family caregiver in your circle

𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 the landmark lighting event by taking photos and sharing them on social media
🌍Map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1UYosXjHZeVZxiJjaH_QN6Fnz2csh0i8&hl=en&ehbc=2E312F

Join us in our efforts to solve feelings of overwhelm, isolation, and loneliness among family caregivers, and surround them with support.

Make a positive impact on the social and emotional health of family caregivers everywhere. Share your story using the hashtag

Join us tomorrow for World Caring Day! Our landmark lighting event shines a light on family caregivers everywhere in support of care they provide for loved ones on a health journey.

Click the link to see participating landmarks across 3 continents. If you are in the area of any of these locations, we invite you to post a photo of the landmark and share to social media with the hashtag .

https://ow.ly/3W6w50SbcO6

In honor of World Caring Day, the CaringBridge employees have offered a gift to match all donations, dollar for dollar, up to $10,000, today and tomorrow.

You likely already know the impact the no-cost, nonprofit health platform has on solving the “caregiver’s challenge” of loneliness, isolation, and being overwhelmed that are so prevalent. We believe in the healing power of community, and CaringBridge allows caregivers to connect with needed support quickly—over 2/3 of users receive help within the first 24 hours. Double your impact by making a donation today. https://ow.ly/Sl0950SaYex

CaringBridge is a health platform that brings together your community of supporters during a health journey.

Thankfully, one of Michael and Eric’s friends suggested they start a CaringBridge to communicate updates, coordinate help, and receive support and strength from their community. Read more of Michael and Eric's health journey https://www.caringbridge.org/resources/visual-artist-and-husband-cope-together-amid-rare-eye-cancer-diagnosis/

Rosalynn Carter once said, "There are only four kinds of people in the world: those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers and those who will need caregivers."
As we celebrate World Caring Day this week to shine a light on family caregivers and the care they provide for a loved one going through a health journey, we invite you to share your family caregiver story and using and hashtags in your posts.

World Caring Day is an annual invitation to take action and shine a light on family caregivers and the care they provide for a loved one going through a health journey.

We know that feelings of overwhelm, isolation, and loneliness are prevalent among family caregivers. Join us in our efforts to surround them with support and help make a positive impact on emotional health and social support. Share your story using the hashtag

We are thrilled to announce our alliance partnership with HealthWell Foundation! We admire their efforts to reduce financial barriers to care for underinsured Americans with chronic and life-altering diseases. Together, we can achieve our mutual goal of offering support and care to others throughout their health journey.

The HealthWell Foundation is an independent non-profit that offers a financial lifeline to adults and children who desperately need critical medical treatments but can't afford them by assisting with their cost-sharing obligations. When health insurance is not enough, HealthWell fills the gap by assisting with copays, premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses.

To learn more about HealthWell Foundation, visit https://ow.ly/jrcy50S45tV

𝐄𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐧𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐬

When a loved one is navigating a recent diagnosis, it’s normal to feel at a loss for how to support them. While we may not be able to heal them physically, there are several ways to offer them comfort and encouragement. Suggesting a loved one create a CaringBridge or creating one for them is a wonderful way to offer support. CaringBridge users who have used the platform for more than 6 months report 4x improvement of feelings of loneliness.

Sometimes it’s the smallest acts of caring and kindness that mean the most. This article is written with the intent to offer support to lung cancer patients, however the ways to help and encourage loved ones can be applied to numerous diagnoses.

Read More ➡️ https://www.caringbridge.org/resources/how-to-help-someone-with-lung-cancer/

“I thought I’d pulled a muscle,” Stephanie said. “I went to the doctor and they said it was beyond the scope of what they do. I went to see an orthopedic specialist. He said it was beyond the scope of what he does. And then he referred me to an oncologist.”

Scans showed that a large tumor had broken Stephanie’s clavicle and was one of many that had metastasized. Her diagnosis was stage IV breast cancer—it had spread to her lymph nodes, bones and spinal cord.

Read more of Stephanie and Kate's enduring friendship, and how CaringBridge supported them through this health journey. ➡️ https://www.caringbridge.org/resources/a-journey-of-kindness-and-grace/

Happy Mother's Day! 🥰

We'd like to here from you...

The term 'sandwich generation' describes adults who give care to their aging parents while also raising their own children. This balancing act can cause stress, burnout and other difficult emotions. We ask the CaringBridge community: 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡'𝑠 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑎𝑑𝑣𝑖𝑐𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑎𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑤𝑖𝑐ℎ 𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑏𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑜𝑢𝑡?

Please share your advice in the comments below. 💜

CaringBridge Our vision is a world where no one goes through a health journey alone.

We'd like to hear from you...
Family caregivers deserve care, too. Still, you may find yourself focusing so much of your energy on others' needs that you de-prioritize your own. We're asking the CaringBridge community: 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑞𝑢𝑒, 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑎𝑠 𝑤𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑙𝑢𝑑𝑒 𝑜𝑛 𝑎 𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑓-𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑐𝑘𝑙𝑖𝑠𝑡, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑤ℎ𝑦?

Please comment below.

CaringBridge Our vision is a world where no one goes through a health journey alone.

In sickness and in health takes on profound meaning for couples like Sally and Sam, who are navigating the world of cancer diagnosis and treatment for a second time in less than 10 years.
“I was looking at the American Cancer Society to see how caregivers are supported,” Sally recalled. “That’s where I came across CaringBridge. I thought, wow, I definitely need this, because it was overwhelming trying to keep track of everything that we were going through, and updating everyone through emails, phone calls, and texts.”
Read more of their powerful story ➡️https://ow.ly/hzUb50RfrpI