The inspiration for CaringBridge came from the real-life experience of founder Sona Mehring's close friend, who suffered a life-threatening pregnancy in 1997.  Needing to keep friends and family informed about the critical situation, Sona and friends created a website.  The website helped the family communicate information to a wide circle of people here and abroad, without disturbing the mother's need for rest or placing extra demands on hospital staff.  The website posted daily news about mom and baby Brighid.  An accompanying online guestbook enabled visitors to send the family messages of love and encouragement.  Conveying even this saddest of news was somehow made easier by posting messages on the website.  People were informed without the family having to bear the painful burden of making several emotional phone calls.  The sad news of Brighid's death prompted an outpouring of loving messages to the family.  They were so moved by their online experience that they wanted others to have the same opportunity.  And CaringBridge was born.

 

A member of the National Health Council, CaringBridge is the world's first, largest and most widely used free service for keeping families and loved ones connected while receiving care.  The web-based service was developed to keep friends and family informed during important life events, including childbirth, medical treatment, rehabilitation and end-of-life care.