Like Minds 2: Amy Kilburn and Helena Holt on charities and social communications
HOSPISCARE fundraiser Amy Kilburn told the Like Minds conference how the internet was changing they way the Exeter-based charity worked.
She highlighted the story of patient George Owen, who wrote about his experiences in an internet diary known as a blog.
He wrote about details of his illness and treatment and also his thoughts and feelings.
The last entry, by his wife Christine, was an announcement for the date of his funeral, on December 14 last year at Dalwood church in East Devon.
Mr Owen wrote in the introduction to the blog: “I have cancer, and I am having so much trouble keeping friends abreast of developments that I decided to try blogging as a solution.”
Mrs Kilburn said the diary had been useful for staff treating Mr Owen and for his friends and family. It provided day to day information for his family, for example to bring him yoghurt to help him take his tablets and hats when his hair started to fall out.
