Diem Brown was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at 23, an age that most people associate with fun, freedom and possibilities. She had long aspired to be a TV reporter, and in addition to attaining a freelance job with the Associated Press, Diem was selected for the MTV reality show Real World/Road Rules Challenge.
Diem was determined not to let cancer stop her from achieving her career goals and living her life to the fullest. A month after having one ovary, several lymph nodes and part of one fallopian tube removed, she traveled to Australia to participate in Real World/Road Rules Challenge. When the show was over, though, she returned home to face the many realities of coping with cancer, including intensive chemotherapy treatments.
Many people reached out and wanted to help. And Diem, who had always been very independent, realized that she did indeed need their help. But when friends and family asked what they could do, it was difficult to say, "Yes, I need a ride to my chemotherapy appointment," or harder yet, "Yes, I need help paying my medical bills."
MedGift was created to help answer the question friends and family members often ask in this situation: "What can I do?" or "How can I help?" It allows people coping with illness or health conditions to post requests for help in the form of Needs, Wants and Wishes while also providing a place to give updates, post photos, keep a blog and communicate with loved ones.
