Two local women launch website focused on difficult conversations, illness, and friendship

A new website launched by two local friends is helping folks start difficult conversations regarding life-threatening illnesses. The website, ifIgetsick.com, was created by Richmonders Sarah Choi and Rebecca Thomas and provides tips and guidelines to set expectations and commitments in the event that someone becomes sick.

The website includes icebreakers, videos, and information about why it’s important to take the time to talk about the possibility of illness and keeps a positive tone about a topic that often is cast as negative and difficult or awkward to approach.

The idea for If I Get Sick emerged after Thomas’ breast cancer diagnosis in 2014. Both restauranteurs, the two women formed a friendship over food and shared interests. As Thomas explained her experiences about cancer and Choi listened, the two women realized there was more they could do than just talk about the past. They could have a conversation about what they could do for each other if one of them was ill.

For Thomas, a light bulb went off when Choi how she could be there for her if  she were to get sick again. She wanted a way to set expectations, lay out commitments, and have these things communicated in advance.

“We live in a world where everywhere we look media articles urge us to prepare for this and prevent that, but none of it ever pertains to talking about the ‘what ifs’ that life presents in terms of one getting sick,” Thomas, who is now in remission, said. “I had to live through it to see there’s a way to make sickness a little easier on the afflicted and on the friends.”

“We want women to feel comfortable bringing up this topic with friends and talking about what the friendship could be like if the other one ever gets sick,” said Choi. “We’re a society that shies away from awkward and unsettling topics, but the impact this conversation could have truly could be life changing–for both the sick and the well.”

Boiled down to the most basic level, the If I Get Sick hashtag and motto is “#letstalk.”

“We’re at the very beginning stages of a conversation we hope to continue and grow and watch unfold for years to come,” Thomas continued. “It’s an incredible feeling to know that we are going to spark conversations that transform friendships, alter perspectives and change lives all because friends had a single conversation one day.”

Thomas and Choi plan to bring If I Get Sick to life through events, speaking engagements and video in the future.

Visit their website to learn more, and check out the campaign video below.