CaringBrige is a nonprofit organization offering free personalized websites to people facing a serious medical condition, hospitalization, undergoing medical treatment and/or recovering from a significant accident, illness, injury or procedure. Its functionality is similar to a blog. The service allows family members and friends to receive consistent information via a single website, and eliminates the need to place and receive numerous telephone calls. Visitors who are provided the personal website address (or URL) and password, if required, can read updates on the patient's condition and post their own messages of support and encouragement to the family.