Best Gifts for Cancer Patients

Speaking to Someone who Knows: You Can Help Your Friend with Cancer

Since her cancer diagnosis more than three years ago LB has received more gifts than anyone I know. Her close-knit community, relatives, and friends have showered her and her family with an endless parade of meals, favors, and presents. As LB often expresses, she feels lucky to be surrounded by special people who are always on hand to help, no matter what she, her kids, or her husband need. “I could not get through this without them all,” LB told me.

Staying Positive Through Cancer Treatment

Our conversation, which took place during one of LB’s bi-monthly chemo treatments, was light-hearted and interesting, made so mostly by LB’s frequent laughter and openness. Our talk was punctuated by frequent visits from a variety of nurses and staff members “checking in” to see how LB was, to which she always replied “Good enough!” LB never failed to ask them about recent events in their lives such as weddings and holiday plans, listening with pure enthusiasm to their answers.

Although not my original intention, I decided that what I wanted to know from LB was how she remains so positive during her cancer treatments. I was especially interested because her treatment began over three years ago and after several surgeries, chemotherapy, trials and more, she smiles, engages, and laughs far more than most. Some of this, LB told me is just her personality. She has always been easygoing and happy. She “chooses happiness” she said and doesn’t “really know any other way.” LB added with smile, “The gifts help too! Seriously, they do!”

Gift Suggestions for Your Friend With Cancer

I asked LB what gifts in particular have helped her the most through her ordeal. She responded that it has primarily been people who have helped her stay positive and strong, especially those who accompany her to her all treatments. She always has one of a select few friends with her during chemo.

As for material things, anything that provides LB with comfort or distraction, two things that she said are essential to enduring treatment with positivity, are her favorites. LB told me that these items in particular, continue to be most helpful to her before, during or after chemotherapy:

• Small, warm, super-soft blankets or pillows
• Soft joggers/sweatpants
• Coloring book sand colored pencils
• Meditation music/exercises
• Soft, warm socks
• Lavender
• A tray with legs for eating and drinking or using the computer or iPad in bed (or on the couch)
• A weighted blanket

Contact Us For Gifts That Help Cancer Patients

At Rock the Treatment, we make it easy to let someone with cancer know you care and support them on their difficult journey. If someone you love has cancer, send a helpful cancer gift basket from Rock The Treatment. Chemotherapy and radiation gift baskets are packed with the essentials needed to ease side effects of treatment, as well as enhance physical and mental well-being. See all of our cancer care packages and find the one that best supports their journey.