News

And you thought it was never going to happen.

The CNCF's Handbook for Parents of Children with Neuroblastoma is finally here.  At the CNCF's Neuroblastoma Conference for Parents and Caregivers on July 17th - 20th, 2008 the online version of the handbook was unveiled.  Jam packed with all kinds of information that will aid families in the care of their child with neuroblastoma, it is now time to help spread the word.  You may know that this incredible resource exists but many families still do not.

So, what are we proposing? 

We are asking everyone to help us spread the word.  We are calling for a "bum rush" of all of the social media you can get your hands on, ultimately directing people to the CNCF's Neuroblastoma Handbook.  We are asking you to blog about the handbook, write entries on your caringbridge sites, and to include links and badges on your websites.  The idea is to create as much awareness as we possibly can about the handbook.  Ideally we want it to be in every family's hands but we need your help to let everyone know that it exists.  It isn't just for us but for all families both now and in the future who land in our footsteps.

What You Can Do Right Now

1. Spread the word - Surely you are connected to people outside of the CNCF. Start talking...let everyone know that the handbook exists.
2. Add the Neuroblastoma Handbook Badge to your Blog, Caringbridge, or Web page. (Just copy and paste the HTML code below.)
3. Blog about It - Make sure everyone gets the word that the Neuroblastoma Handbook is available.
4. Create a podcast or video and upload to Youtube or other streaming video site.
5. Add your Comments and Reviews - There are still sections to write.  Help fill it up!
6. Join the Facebook Group - This is a great way to connect with all of the Neuroblastoma Handbook writers and fans. You can join the group here.
7. Become a Handbook Fan on Facebook - Show your love for the Neuroblastoma Handbook. Yet another awesome way to connect with Neuroblastoma handbook writers and fans. Join the Neuroblastoma Handbook fan page here.
8. Add the handbook to Wikipedia - Any experts on Wikipedia guidlines? Made to Stick is a good example of what can be included.
9. Tell your local hospital - Let physicians and nurses at your local hospital know that the Neuroblastoma Handbook exists.  They can print the entire handbook out online or just certain sections.  Regardless, they are the first to meet new patients and will help ensure that it gets into those families hands.

The Neuroblastoma Handbook Badge

For anyone who wants to add some Neuroblastoma Handbook flair to their blog or website, have I got something for you. I’ve designed a badge and provided the HTML code that can be easily copied and pasted. The badge links right to the handbook.

If you need any help with the code or have any problems just let me know and I will do my help you get the Neuroblastoma Handbook “bling bling” added to your site.

Just copy and paste the code below:

        <div align="center">
            <a href="http://www.nbhope.org/handbook">
                <img style="border-right: #ffffff 1px solid; border-top: #ffffff 1px solid; display: block;
                    margin: 0px auto 10px; border-left: #ffffff 1px solid; cursor: hand; border-bottom: #ffffff 1px solid;
                    text-align: center" alt="CNCF Handbook for Parents of Children with Neuroblastoma"
                    src="http://www.nbhope.org/photos/nb_parent_handbook/images/52064/160x240.aspx"
                    border="0">
            </a>
        </div>

Plan of Action.

With the infinite amount of social sites and connections on the web, this is a huge undertaking. For those of you who are a bit more tech savvy I could use your help to really make a bigger splash.  That is why I came up with this plan of action list with the highest priority items at the top. The idea is to generate as many touch points around the web as possible so that it will be hard not to spot the CNCF's Neuroblastoma Handbook activity.

1. Read the Handbook & send others to read the handbook as well. This is the number 1 call to action, because this is where we want to see the most impact.
2. Blog About It - Make sure you have a prominent link to the Neuroblastoma Handbook listing so that readers can easily find the handbook. (Remember to use the link http://www.nbhope.org/handbook)
3. Twitter Commentary - Join us as we give a Bum Rush play-by-play on Twitter. We also ask that everyone saying anything about the Bum Rush to use the code #NB so that it can be picked up by Twemes.com
4. Trackback or Comment on the post that I will leave here on August 1st at 12pm CST, so that everyone can follow the conversation and help promote exposure on social sites (Digg, StumbleUpon, Del.icio.us, etc.) 
5. Digg the posts listed here & send emails and shouts to friends requesting Diggs.
6. Stumble the posts listed & tell friends to do the same. 
7. Bookmark your posts on Del.icio.us
8. Add your post to other social media outlets ( Technorati, Ma.gnolia, Furl, BlinkList, Newsvine, Facebook, etc.)
9. Send an Old Fashioned email to your friends about the Bum Rush for the Neuroblastoma Handbook.
10. Keep talking - Get on ooVoo, iChat, Aim, or where ever you like to talk, and start talking.

We need all hands on deck for this one.  I've used this quote before but I think it fits nicely. Ryunosuke Satoro once said,

"Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean."

The same is true with all of the actions on this list. By ourselves they will do very little, but together we can make waves.