Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

Over the weekend, I chose to research the digital footprint of Inheritance of Hope. Their mission revolves around being present for those who are experiencing a parent’s terminal illness. Looking through their website, they offer many resources for people who are affected or who simply want to better navigate communicating with those experiencing their parent’s illness. The digital community surrounding the charity is small, consisting of about 2 comments on average across Facebook and Instagram. Be that as it may, it is for the public good. Not many things you can say, but there is plenty that you can feel.

In terms of persuasion methods, the organization appeals heavily to ethos, as most charity orgs do. Exhibit A. The co-founder of the organization, Kristen Milligan, experienced the struggles and turmoil of having a terminal illness. Their story is that there did not exist a platform where families experiencing a terminal illness could seek consolation and comfort during hard times. As a result, Kristen and Deric Milligan founded the Inheritance of Hope organization. Their firsthand experience and confidence in supporting other families through the Christian faith earned them the trust of the surrounding community. 

Alongside its strong ethos, I can see that pathos plays an arguably stronger part in spreading its message through digital media. From the moment you open up the home page, you’re smacked with pathos. Each photo tells a story. A child and their parent with an illness. There’s a powerful quote on the first page that resonates with you as you navigate their social media: “562 children in the U.S. will lose a parent to terminal illness today.” 

Inheritance of Hope has been recognized for its strong contributions to the community. Davidson College acknowledged its alumna, Kristen Milligan, with an award for the organization’s contributions to the community. Its also been recognized as an accredited charity, stamping itself and its contributions as trustworthy, caring, and important for the progression of our society.