Cancer and other illnesses can be quite scary, challenging, and hard to deal with for both the patient and caregiver. Leaning on family, friends, and your local community for help, support, and love can do a world of good. However, sometimes that tight-knit supportive network isn’t enough. If you have ever felt alone, anxious, need a creative outlet or a place to share your thoughts with others that are going through the same thing, have a lot of unanswered questions, or the desire to help others, you are in luck. With today’s technology, there are plenty of ways to virtually connect with other people all over the world that you can relate to via blogs, social networks, and innovative online support communities that are specifically targeted for different types of cancers and illnesses.
Healtheo360 is a wonderful free online healthcare social media network that was founded in 2012. The online platform allows people to share their stories via video or text with others “Just Like Them.” Members can also communicate with each other on various discussion threads and actively see when a member posted something new whenever they visit the website’s main home page. Although the site is quite new and still in beta, it has already attracted a lot of avid followers/users and gained many sponsorships and partnerships with leading health organizations. I had the chance to meet David S. Duplay, the Chairman and founder of Healtheo360, when my family and I were audience members at the Katie Show’s Spotlight on Cancer episode. I admire the passion, pride, and determination that he has for his organization and believe that he is not going to let the momentum of his mission ever falter.
David came up with the idea to start Healtheo360 after his mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease and his sister-in-law was diagnosed with Stage IV Breast Cancer at the young age of 32. He saw a lack of motivation and inspirational support from the local and online communities that they participated in and decided to design a better online support group model. His goal is to make Healtheo360 the number one healthcare social media network. His website and vision has a lot of potential and I am interested to see how this website proliferates, adapts, and changes in the next year.
You can help support Healtheo360’s mission by voting for them to get on the stage and deliver a presentation at Internet Week New York. You can vote from now until April 10th! Please click HERE to vote.
**Healtheo360 also made a beautiful sponsored group page for Bonded Forever. Healtheo360‘s team did a great job putting it together. Please check it out HERE.**
