Welcome Members!

Welcome to Living with Narcolepsy Community!

Our mission at Ben’s Friends is to ensure that patients living with rare diseases or chronic illnesses, as well as their caregivers, family, and friends, have a safe and supportive place to connect with others like them.

 

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How is Ben’s Friends Different from Social Media and Other Support Sites?

Our mission at Ben’s Friends is to ensure that patients living with rare diseases or chronic illnesses, as well as their caregivers, family, and friends, have a safe and supportive place to connect with others like them.

We’re interested in you as a person, and in your struggles as a rare disease patient.  But we don’t want to know your name or where you live. We won’t even allow you to use your real name when you register for one of our communities. Because when it comes to medical things, anonymity is important in our googly universe.  Your information is never shared, and your activity never tracked by adware.

When Ben’s Friends asks for the country and region you live in, that’s in case your fellow members can recommend local resources and help, and so everyone knows what kind of medical system there is where you live.  That’s important when it comes to giving and getting support. Because we are all about support, and we’re all in this together.. 

Ben’s Friends: Safe and Supportive.  And anonymous to keep it that way.

 

Why create an account?

Posts on the different Ben’s Friends communities can be read by anyone on the internet. You can browse through the different topics and find most of the information you’re looking for but there are many things you won’t be able to do unless you create an account. These include:

Making your own posts. Although you’re able to find useful information just by reading other members’ posts, you might still have a lot of questions in your mind. Either you want to start a new topic to talk about them in detail or you want to reply to a comment on a thread. These won’t be possible unless you create a new user account.

Viewing other members’ profiles. Member profiles include information about the country or region they are from, whether they are a patient or a caregiver, and details about their disease and treatments. Maybe you came across an interesting post and you want to learn more about the member. Or maybe you’re looking for members who are from the same country as you. Having a user account allows you to see other member profiles and find information that may be relevant.  

Sending private messages. Aside from being able to post publicly and commenting on a thread, having a user account also allows you to send private messages both to other members and moderators. In case you want to discuss a topic only with a specific person, this is possible by sending private messages when you have created your account.

Click here to create an account and join.

 

  • From Isolation to Connection: The Role of Community Support
    by Ben_Munoz on December 19, 2024 at 8:08 pm

    As we approach the end of our year-end campaign, I wanted to share a powerful reminder of the impact your support makes. A Message from the Heart: We’ve just received an incredibly moving video from Jaz, one of our community members. In just a few moments, she captures the essence of why your support for Ben’s Friends is so crucial. Watch Jaz’s Powerful Message Now Jaz’s words remind us of the profound difference we make together. Your donation helps transform loneliness into connection, fear into hope, and isolation into community for those facing rare diseases. Thank you for being part of the Ben’s Friends family. Together, we ensure no one faces a rare disease alone. Campaign Update: Thanks to your generosity, we’ve raised almost $19,000 towards our $50,000 goal! If you have already donated, thank you! If you have not yet donated, remember that our donor matching campaign is still active, doubling the impact of every donation. We’re making great progress, but we still need your help to cross the finish line. Donate Today Warm regards, Ben Munoz Executive Director, Ben’s Friends P.S. Remember, your gift today will be matched dollar-for-dollar, doubling your impact. Don’t miss this chance to change even more lives. 1 post - 1 participant Read full topic

  • See How Ben's Friends Changes Lives + Double Your Impact
    by Ben_Munoz on December 16, 2024 at 8:48 pm

    Campaign Update: If you have already donated to the campaign, THANK YOU. We are well over $15,000 for the campaign and the Matching Gift Challenge is really heating up (over 20 donors have already had their donations matched). If you want to double your impact there is still time. Donate today! As we continue our year-end campaign, I wanted to share with you the incredible impact Ben’s Friends has on those facing rare diseases. Here are just a few testimonials from our community members: What Ben’s Friends Means to Richard See how Ben’s Friends changes lives - watch more of our member stories >> Messages from Recent Donors I’m approaching the ten year anniversary of the event that drastically changed my life. Early on, I leaned heavily on this community as I struggled with why. Now, I try to be the reason why I’m still here. I’m extremely grateful for the support and hope that those in need find Ben’s Friends! - Jeremy H. With many thanks to the moderators of the Eagle Syndrome site and their ongoing support. Without them, I would not have found a surgeon or received necessary treatment. Their organization skills, list of medical providers and general knowledge about the syndrome is incredible and life changing. - Anonymous Learn more about the impact that Ben’s Friends has on patients lives >> These stories represent thousands of individuals who have found hope, understanding, and support through Ben’s Friends. Your donation can help us continue to provide this vital lifeline to those who need it most. Remember, our matching gift challenge is still active! Every dollar you donate will be doubled, allowing you to make twice the impact. Don’t miss this opportunity to transform lives. Donate Today Thank you for being a crucial part of our mission to ensure no one faces a rare disease alone. Warm regards, Ben Munoz Executive Director, Ben’s Friends P.S. Your gift today will be matched dollar-for-dollar, doubling your impact. Help us reach our goal and support even more rare disease patients and their families. 1 post - 1 participant Read full topic

  • Exciting Update: Double Your Impact for Rare Disease Support!
    by Ben_Munoz on December 13, 2024 at 12:34 am

    I hope this message finds you well. As we approach the end of the year, I wanted to share an exciting update on our “Friends Helping Friends” campaign and a special opportunity to double your impact. Campaign Progress: Thanks to the incredible generosity of supporters like you, we’ve raised almost $11,000 towards our $50,000 goal. This is a fantastic start, but with just three weeks left, we still have a way to go to ensure we can continue providing vital support to our rare disease communities in 2025. Exciting News: Double Your Impact! An anonymous donor has stepped forward with an incredible $10,000 matching gift challenge! For the next two weeks, every dollar you donate will be matched, effectively doubling your contribution. This means your $50 gift becomes $100, a $100 gift becomes $200, and so on. Your doubled donation can make an even bigger difference! Don’t miss this opportunity to maximize your impact. With your help, we can reach our $50,000 goal and ensure that no one faces a rare disease alone in 2025. ​Donate Now Thank you for your continued support and for being a vital part of the Ben’s Friends family. Warm regards, Ben Munoz Executive Director, Ben’s Friends P.S. The matching gift challenge only lasts for two weeks - act now to double your impact! 1 post - 1 participant Read full topic

  • This Giving Tuesday, Make Sure No One Faces Rare Disease Alone
    by Ben_Munoz on December 2, 2024 at 11:56 pm

    As we approach the end of the year, I’m reaching out with an urgent request on behalf of thousands of patients with rare diseases and chronic illnesses who rely on Ben’s Friends for support and connection. Our mission is critical: to ensure that no one faces a rare disease alone. Thanks to donors like you, we have recently: Redesigned our community sites for easier navigation Launched the Warrior Moms support site for caregivers Created an online training facility for moderators and interns But there’s so much more to do in 2025, and we need your help to make it happen. With less than a month left in 2024, your donation can make a world of difference. Our annual budget is under $100,000, so every dollar you give has a huge impact. Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday, but you don’t have to wait. Act now to provide hope and support to those who need it most. Donate Now​ Remember, Ben’s Friends operates with minimal staff and maximum efficiency. There are absolutely no wasted dollars in our organization. Thank you for considering a gift that will change lives. Together, we can ensure that no one faces a rare disease alone in 2025 and beyond. Warmest regards, Ben Munoz Executive Director, Ben’s Friends ​ P.S. Don’t wait— Donate now to make an immediate impact. Together, we can ensure no one faces a rare disease alone. 1 post - 1 participant Read full topic

  • See How Our Community is Changing Lives
    by ModSupport on November 24, 2024 at 1:18 am

    I hope this message finds you well. Today, I want to share a powerful story that illustrates how our Ben’s Friends community is making a real difference in people’s lives. This story highlights why your support, whether through fundraising or direct donations, is so crucial to our mission. Meet John: John was born with severe type 1 Von Willebrand’s Disease (VWD) and later discovered he also had Atrial Septal Defect (ASD), a congenital heart condition. With such a rare combination of conditions, John felt isolated and unsure of where to turn for support and information. In his words: “Ben’s Friends is near and dear to my heart for so many reasons. I am blown away by the current and new members that I come into contact with each and every day. Some might say my story is inspirational, but I would beg to differ*. I am just one of the thousands and growing inspirational stories on Ben’s Friends.*” John found not only support but also a sense of purpose through Ben’s Friends. He became actively involved in moderating patient communities, helping others navigate their own journeys with rare diseases. Your Support Makes a Difference. Stories like John’s are possible because of community members like you. By supporting Ben’s Friends, whether through fundraising or direct donations, you help us: Maintain and grow our dozens of online communities for rare diseases Launch new communities for underserved conditions Provide vital information and emotional support to thousands patients and families How You Can Help: Share Your Story: Consider sharing how Ben’s Friends has helped you. Your experience could inspire others to support our mission. Become a Fundraiser: Create your own fundraising page and share it with your network. It’s a powerful way to amplify our message and reach more people who might want to support our rare disease communities. Make a Donation: If you’re able, consider making a direct donation. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps ensure that no one faces a rare disease alone. Remember, your involvement, in whatever capacity you’re able to offer, makes a real difference. Together, we can ensure that more people like John find the support and connection they need. Become a Fundraiser - OR - Donate Today Thank you for being an essential part of the Ben’s Friends family. Warm regards, Ben’s Friends Team P.S. If you have a story about how Ben’s Friends has impacted your life, we’d love to hear it. Your story could inspire others and help us continue our mission. @trust_level_0 1 post - 1 participant Read full topic