This topic is a place we can use to let each other know if a member is going into the hospital, or some similar health-related situation has occurred. we'd all want to know as soon as possible, wouldn't we? and the member wouldn't be able to post the info her/himself, so we depend on each other to spread the word.
We can use this topic to make the basic announcement and offer to be a clearinghouse for more detailed informatoin. if the member who's ill has a diary, the announcer could also add details there and provide a link in the announcement.