PixelMEDIA Inc.

Web development agency PixelMEDIA built its reputation helping the business community create memorable web experiences. But the redesign of a website for breast cancer patient, survivors, and caregivers was a unique opportunity for the company to put its skills to work for a different kind of community. Founded by Wendy McCoole, BreastCancerStories.org was envisioned as a website that brings people affected by breast cancer together through sharing stories of their experiences, interacting though online profiles, and fostering mutual support.

Built using the popular Community Server technology, the website lets users create profiles and personal accounts with easy-to use-features, including an online journal, photo gallery, guest book, and in-site messaging service. The interface was designed to be inviting, elegant, and inspiring, while providing a comfortable, stress-free environment and intuitive communications tools.

“With BreastCancerStories.org, we realized the special nature of this site and the people it reaches. We didn’t think an out-of-box solution would be nearly good enough,” says PixelMEDIA co-founder Tom Obrey, “PixelMEDIA has created a unique user experience that goes way beyond the standard Community Server interface, while taking full advantage of powerful Community Server functionality.”

On the website, account holders can be patients, survivors, caregivers, and guests. The first three types are given ‘author’ privileges and have the ability to create journal entries and add pictures to the photo gallery. Guests can leave guest book entries and send messages to other members of the community.

A striking difference between BreastCancerStories.org and other breast cancer community websites is a Search function that allows patients and caregivers to search for people who find themselves in a similar situation, an emotional boost for those struggling to cope with a new diagnosis. Members can find one another based on a wide range of characteristics, including the kind of cancer and treatment, region, age, and lifestyle.

“Our hope is for this new website is to extend the reach of the support these stories provide to those affected, as well as their family and friends, who are dealing with the impact breast cancer can have on everyone it touches,” said Erik Dodier, Co-founder, President, and CEO of PixelMEDIA, Inc. “BreastCancerStories.org has been an ongoing effort we have been familiar with for several years now, and we are happy to get involved, especially given our long-standing relationship with the founder and breast cancer survivor, Wendy McCoole.”

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with PixelMEDIA on a number of occasions throughout my career,” said Wendy McCoole, Executive Director and Founder of BreastCancerStories.org. “When the time came to redesign our website I knew exactly who to turn to. PixelMEDIA has done a tremendous job with the redevelopment of our site – everything from their technological expertise, visual design capabilities and customer service. They nailed it. We couldn’t be more pleased with how this project turned out and look forward to continuing our relationship with them as we expand upon the website in the future.”

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