When a family member or friend is diagnosed with cancer, you may feel like you want to do something to help or to make them feel supported and loved. While being there for someone is the best gift of all, many people also opt for some sort of gift to convey this.
Everyone is different and every person might be touched by a different sort of gift, but here are some ideas from our community to get you started!
Time
Cancer can be a terrifying and isolating disease. Taking time to make your loved one feel a little less alone can go miles to making a person feel better. Our community suggests taking your loved one on outings—to get lunch, to get coffee or ice cream, to get a mani/pedi. It doesn’t really matter the activity so much as the quality time spent together.
Be sure to call ahead if you plan on taking them out or even just stopping by and don’t overstay your welcome.
“Be with them, help them with a task they can no longer do, take their kids out for some active fun, that sort of thing.”
-Jennifer
Services to help with everyday tasks
Cancer treatment can be a full-time job. It’s hard to keep up with cleaning and yardwork on top of everything else going on in life. Providing assistance with every day tasks can mean more than you know. Our community suggests that some areas fall to the wayside during treatment include cleaning, cooking, and laundry. Providing services to cover these chores is a great gift to show you care.
Better, offer to do it yourself! Offer to do some laundry, clean their bathroom, or even just walk the dogs when you stop by.
“Have short visits, but do something for them while you’re there, even if it’s just washing a few dishes. Say you’re coming to weed their garden or cut their lawn and won’t take no for an answer.”
-Kat
Activities for during treatments
Cancer treatment can be long; for example, some chemo treatments can take several hours. Something that helps them pass the time, during and after treatment, will be appreciated. Examples include books, games, sodukus, and crosswords.
“My dad liked some type of electronic game or iPad while getting his treatments.”
-Angela
Meals
Just like with cleaning or yardwork, it can be hard to continue the usual cooking while managing a cancer diagnosis. Meals are some of the most important part of treatment, however; staying healthy and strong can positively impact treatment. Meal-kits that require no grocery shopping and are delivered right to their door make great gifts.
“Meal-kit services are helpful for husbands and kids on bad weeks! It can even be fun for them and empowering for the kids to have a sense of contribution.”
-Courtney
You can also offer to bring over nutritious, home cooked meals yourself! This can do done on your own or through a meal train. Meal trains, in which several friends and family get together to take turns providing a few meals a week, can be organized on your own or via online services for a small fee.
“Someone did this for our family for nine months. We had meals and groceries delivered three days a week. We always had plenty of leftovers for other days or restaurant meals to fill in. We kept a large cooler on the front porch. Our friends would leave the food in the cooler, and I didn’t have to answer the door or entertain if I was having a horrendous day. I am a mom of three and my husband and kids need to eat even if I can’t. It’s a comfort knowing they are taken care of.”
-Debra
Something comfortable
Cancer treatments can often times cause you to be more frequently cold. It can also come with certain pains and aches. Something that makes patients feel comfortable and warm makes a great gift. Examples that our community provided are blankets, heating pads, pretty wraps, and sweaters.
“A good friend bought me a fluffy neck roll to heat. I find it very comforting and also used on my ribs near the VATS site.”
-Marian
Gift cards
Gift cards make great gifts, whether for local restaurants, grocery stores or even massage studios. This allows patients to get whatever they need and make the most of your generosity. Gift cards for online retailers are also great because they can get whatever they need delivered right to their door.
“Amazon gift cards are good; patients can purchase any type of supplement or smoothie ingredient.”
-Debra
A reminder you care
If you can’t be there in person, a card can do wonders. Whether it is an inspirational card, a get well soon card, or even just a thinking-of-you card, it is a small, easy thing to do that lets someone know you care.
“I have ALL My cards in my family room that good people have been sending me since October 2018. They really help me on a down day.”
-Marian
Related Reading:
- Helpful Tips for Lung Cancer Caregivers
- My Lung Cancer Litmus Test
- Tips for Managing Lung Cancer During the Holidays