I write this blog post with a heavy heart. This past Saturday, my beautiful (inside and out) friend Amy Baltimore Watson passed away. She beat breast cancer once, but sadly lost her battle with cancer the second time around. You might ask how I could incorporate this into a blog about new new media, but honestly I have nothing else on my mind. But the truth is, Web 2.0 played a major role in the latter part of Amy's 32 years on this earth.
After Amy's first diagnosis, she was able to utilize a website called The Caring Bridge. This is a free website for yourself or loved ones that are having health concerns. It is a way to connect family and friends and to keep them informed of what is going on medically.
Amy also kept her own personal blog. It was called amywillbeatcanceragainwatson. This was more personal than Caring Bridge and she really kept it up with her beautiful personality.
Amy also started a facebook page that was dedicated to her breast cancer walks and fundrasiers. It was a way to make everyone aware of all the facets out there to help the cause. It also had a link to make donations.
Besides her breast cancer facebook page, Amy had her own personal facebook. I can remember the last thing that she posted. It was a picture of 100 red roses from her husband on Valentine's Day. When her liver started failing last Friday, her facebook page became flooded with prayers and well wishes. It was amazing to see just how many friends and family that cared about her. It was even more overwhelming after her passing on Saturday, when her facebook page blew up with condolences. I thought that it might shut down facebook with all of the traffic. It was a true testimony to my wonderful friend.
Now her facebook page is acting as a tribute. Her family has been able to post her funeral arrangements on there and her brother has asked everyone to upload any pics they might have of her for a slideshow at the memorial service. Although this is a very sad time, I believe that Amy's facebook page has presented a unique opportunity for everyone to share photos and write memories of her. I am glad that her family and friends have this as a testimony to show just how amazing Amy was. We can all scroll back and see her previous posts. It is like a digital diary to look back on.
Amy was and is such an inspiration to me. She is the best example of being a wonderful wife, daughter, sister, friend and doggy mom. I will always cherish her smile, laugh and the advice that she gave me.
If you have any extra money or are thinking of giving to a charity, please donate to this worthwhile cause: http://ww5.komen.org/Donate/Donate.html
Cara, I'm truly sorry about the loss of your friend, but thanks so much for sharing all of this on your blog. I've often thought of writing an article about how people use Facebook pages as a way to memorialize friends who die. I think it's a really new and interesting way of mourning and dealing with loss. And you pointed out so many other ways that social media helped your friend (and her friends and her readers) deal with and understand this condition and her own heroic fight. My sympathies, and thank you!
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