Christi Cahill is the Director of Program Services at MyLifeLine.org Cancer Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that encourages cancer patients and caregivers to create free, customized websites. Their mission is to empower patients to build an online support community of family and friends to foster connection, inspiration, and healing.
Our thanks to Christi for providing this week’s blog.
One person can’t do it all. When someone is diagnosed with cancer, it takes an entire support network to get through the cancer journey.
A myriad of appointments to get to, meals to cook, chores to do, work to do, companionship to provide, bills to pay, pets to take care of, wounds to heal both physical and emotional, and the list goes on and on. These are all the things and more that a caregiver faces on a daily basis when caring for someone with cancer. One person cannot do it all.
This is where MyLifeLine.org comes in. At MyLifeLine.org, we believe a strong support community is critical for cancer patients. Every day, we provide free, personal websites to cancer patients and caregivers to easily connect with family and friends, because no patient or caregiver should ever feel alone.
The websites connect patients and caregivers with their friends and family from all over the world allowing them to emotionally and logistically support the patient and the caregiver. See all of the features at the end of this blog post.
The most important feature I want to share with you is the Helping Calendar. This is a great tool to garner support from friends and family who are willing to help. I’m sure daily you hear from people who want to help in some way. With the Helping Calendar you can easily provide a way for people to help. Post the needs on the Helping Calendar and then friends and family can visit the website to sign up and take a few things off of your plate.
Helping Calendar
The place where friends and family can find out about your loved one’s treatment schedule and how to help you both.
- Communicate important dates through your own online calendar – surgeries, doctor appointments, treatment schedule, visiting hours and CAREGIVER RELIEF.
- Allow friends and family to be more involved and directly contribute to both of your needs.
- Ask for help with rides to chemotherapy or radiation treatments, help with the kids, or help with picking up prescriptions.
Ideas for ways for your support network to support you and your loved one
We call Caregivers Care Coordinators at MyLifeLine.org, and we strive to make the coordinator piece as easy as possible. We know you can’t do it all, so sign up for a website today for you and your loved one and start connecting with your support network all around the world.
Features on MyLifeLine.org to help you communicate with family and friends near and far about you and your loved one’s journey with cancer.
My Updates
The place to update family and friends on your loved one.
- Communicate on your terms.
- Spread the news once and reserve your energy for spending time together.
Guest Messages
The place to go for personalized messages of love, wisdom, and support.
- Read caring messages from your friends and family that will lift both of your spirits.
- Friends can post encouraging messages and upload special photos to share with you both.
Learning Links
The place to post information about your loved one’s specific cancer type.
- Educate your friends about symptoms, treatments, and effects.
- Use MyLifeLine.org’s specific cancer links or add your own favorite resources.
Giving Angels
The place to ask your personal caring community for financial support if needed.
- Set up a button to your personal PayPal account for help with medical costs not covered by insurance.
- Participate in an event to raise money for a cause you both love. Spread the word from the Giving Angels page.
Inspirational Quotes and Photo Gallery
The place where your personal photos and favorite uplifting quotes will inspire you and your loved one.
- Upload favorite photos to share your lives and cancer journey.
- Choose MyLifeLine.org’s inspirational quote list or add your own.
Testimonials from Care Coordinators
“It was invaluable for getting my dad to and from radiation appointments because he was unable to drive himself. The calendar function is the best part of the site – so easy to use and extremely helpful. Everyone was always asking at the beginning ‘what can I do to help?’ and this was an easy way to say exactly what they could do.”
“It made all the difference in the ways family and friends interacted with us and offered us round-the-clock concerns, prayers, and support. If we opened the website and checked in either to share more info or read subsequent responses, it turned a tough journey into laughter, kindness, and incredible support.”
To set up a website, go to www.MyLifeLine.org today. If you would like to contact us, you can reach us at support (at) mylifeline.org. We’re here to help you and your loved one.
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