WEGO Health is sponsoring all health networks at social networking platform Ning.com, enabling a million Ning network users to go on posting free of charge as the company phases out its free networks.

The one-year deal will provide Ning Plus service to users of Ning networks like People Living with Sickle Cell, which was started two years ago by WEGO user Ade Adeyokunnu.

“I’m a member of WEGO Health’s network of health activists, and it’s been a great way to connect with and learn from other people like me who build health communities,” said Adeyokunnu in a release. “I started People Living with Sickle Cell on Ning two years ago to give sickle cell disease patients and caregivers a place to meet and talk about what we’re all going through, so I’m really glad they’ll be able to continue to grow and thrive on Ning.”

The sponsorship gives Ning networks unlimited membership, full branding control and the ability to create groups, chats and events, along with access to WEGO’s community of health activists, the firm said. WEGO will work over the next year “with other industry leaders to fund the expansion and extension of this sponsorship.” Ning announced a similar sponsorship by Pearson Publishing of education-focused Ning networks.

“The health networks built on Ning are a powerful example of health activists at work,” said WEGO CEO Jack Barrette, “and we’re thrilled to be able to extend our mission through this sponsorship. We look forward to collaborating with health-focused Ning network creators to expand their reach and impact.”

Ning allows users to construct social networks around topics or areas of interest, announced in April amid a sharp downsizing that it was cutting its free networks loose to focus on its paid networks.