14 Gift Ideas for Cancer Patients

Gift Ideas for Cancer Patients

It’s never easy to hear the words, “You have Cancer.” As a family or friend, you want to help but not sure the best ways how. We have compiled a list of the 14 best gift ideas for cancer patients. This list was created by our founder and cancer survivor, Julie Grimm. 

1. Cancer Treatment Organizers & Journals

Cancer isn’t in any of our plans. But when it happens, it’s very helpful to have something that lets us start planning for how to get rid of it. Ready for Recovery cancer planner help you keep you track of your treatments, doctor’s appointments, and general busy life.  Our planners help you and your caregiver gain control over cancer and give you the ability to efficiently track your progress and to see just how your emotions, diet, exercise, expenses, medications, and symptoms change across periods. This documentation is also useful for spotting any adverse side effects and their potential causes.

2. Survivor Memoirs

Only other people have been through it will truly understand what a cancer diagnosis really means. Luckily, there are many survivors who have turned their experiences into honest, humorous and helpful books. From learning how to tell other people about a diagnosis, to deciding what lifestyle changes to make, these authors cover it all. Not only will these books distract your loved one from their treatment, but they will help them realize that they are not alone.

Read these – then consider writing your own memoir.

3. Audiobooks

Cancer treatment is hard on the eyes, and few people are up for reading a book during treatment. GoodReads has provided a hearty list of The Best Audio Books Ever and we’ve listed a few of our favorite well-known titles, available in the Kindle store, here:

4. Functional & Fashionable Clothing

There are a lot of things about being a cancer patient that can be uncomfortable, and, at times, awkward. Clothing is at the top of that list for many people. Whether it is trying to find a shirt that works with your port, or lingerie that’s designed for women with reconstruction, or just wanting a t-shirt that’s inspirational, here are a few of our favorite functional and fashionable clothing options:

  • AnaOno. Lingerie and apparel for women who’ve had a mastectomy, breast reconstruction or breast surgery. Bras for breast cancer. Radiation wear. Recovery wear.
  • Care + Wear. These PICC line covers help eliminate some of the challenges of having a PICC line by making it easier to securely cover the line without having to worry about exposure to outside agents or low quality materials. Their motto: Let’s get back to living!
  • DryPro.If you’re concerned about how you will bathe, swim, or come into contact with water at any point while fighting cancer, waterproof body protectors are a great investment. Dry Pro’s protectors are latex free and contain a vacuum seal that prevents it from being pulled off. The Dry Pro protector can be used daily for months, is durable and reusable, and open on both ends to keep hands free.

5. Gift Ideas That Help With Cancer Treatment & Recovery

Not everyone will want a cancer-related gift, but for those who are currently in the midst of treatment, giving them something that is practical and can really help with recovery – but that they wouldn’t buy for themselves – may be exactly what they truly need. Here are a few great ideas:

  • Fishbellies Cold Therapy Pack. Pamper and soothe achy body parts with Fishbellies corn bags. Zap in the microwave and use as a heated neck wrap or to warm up on a cold night. Perfect post surgery or post workout, for back pain, neck pain, labor pains, arthritis, shoulder pain and sports injuries
  • LympheDIVAs Arm Sleeve.LympheDivas is compression arm sleeves and gauntlets in beautiful bright colors and fashionable patterns. Each compression armsleeve is seamlessly knit from moisture wicking fibers to keep your arm dry and comfortable.
  • Survivor Eyes. Designed by a cancer survivor, this product s intended to boost your confidence and enhance your look after experiencing hair loss. The kit includes eyebrow stencils, applicator brush, and instructions to help you find what looks best on your face. It’s not just limited to ladies- they have a product specifically for men’s’ brows coming out as well. Everyone should look the way they want and feel okay despite hair loss.
  • Chemo Pack for Him or Her.These products were designed to improve the patient experience before, during and after surgery. Chemo Pack For Her includes: an ultra-soft “pashmina” shawl for warmth; an axillapilla comfort pillow to support neck, back or arm during infusion; a headband for hair loss and handkerchief; a ginger candy to ward off nausea and lemon drops for dry mouth; playing cards and word search book; nail file and other toiletries.
  • ‘The Chest Buddy’ Seatbelt Protector. There are a lot of little issues that a patient can never predict – one of them is the pain of a seatbelt when it rests against a port. These seatbelt protectors from The Chest Buddy are designed for relief – simply detach the hook and loop, put around the seatbelt in desired area, and reattach for a relaxed ride.

6. Safer Cosmetics

May cosmetic products are ridden with parabens, phthalates, triclosam and many other dangerous chemicals that cancer fighters should stay away from. Surprise your loved one with healthier alternatives, such as:

  • ZAK Natural Deodorant. Natural deodorant formulas that have no aluminum, parabens, phthalates, artificial preservatives or fragrances.
  • Tarte Cosmetics. Makeup, skincare and beauty products made with high-performance naturals. Cruelty-free and eco-friendly makeup.

7. Cancer Cookbooks

These cookbooks are written by IHadCancer community members who share tips and tricks for getting through treatment on a full stomach–or whatever you can get down that day. It is the perfect gift to help them use real food to fight cancer. It is filled with great recipes and health tips that are vital for any cancer fighter, survivor or supporter at any stage.

Click on the authors’ profiles to see their recipes posted on IHadCancer.

8. Love and Time

When it comes down to it, the best gift is always free: give your loved one your love, time and attention. Spend a couple of hours watching a funny movie together, going for a walk, or simply sitting and enjoying each other’s company.

9. Headwear

Loosing my hair was one of the hardest parts of my cancer journey and trying to figure out how to deal with it was extremely challenging. I didn’t like wigs – they were hot, itchy and I just didn’t feel like myself. Luckily, my girl friends showered me with headwear in all different shapes and sizes so I had plenty of options to play with

There is always the ACS site to review, but even better, I’d recommend finding a local wig shop so you can actually touch and feel them, try a bunch of them on, talk to the sales women about what would be best for your needs. Have fun with it. I didn’t, but looking back really wish I would have. A friend of mine wore different wigs for different occasions. She had a ball changing styles from day to day. I was a little jealous I hadn’t had the levity to just accept it and make the best of it.

10. Acts of Service

Housecleaning, laundry, dog walking, cooking…. are all the things that need to be done are quite hard to do during treatment. I was lucky in so many ways during treatment! Friends and family all pitched in for these at different times, which was awesome! I was also granted free house cleaning service, for four months, through a program called Cleaning For A Reason (Boulder, Colorado affiliate is Clean Conscience), they did an amazing job! My house has not been as clean since.There With Care is another amazing organization who helps families facing critical illness. Volunteers came and walked my dogs, pull weeds, cut grass during the summer months. They also offered food and grocery certificates during Thanksgiving and Christmas. Amazing people those folks are.

Having hot meals delivered to your doorstep is a Godsend! I was nauseous and had no energy and my husband was too busy taking care of our two little ones to cook. One way to help with meals is for a group of friends to set up a schedule and take turns delivering dishes every couple of days. We were gifted a weekly basket of fresh fruits and vegetables from Door to Door Organics which was wonderful and a great option for a group of friends to go in on. Or, now these days there are a number of home delivery options to choose from. Anything from Blue Apron to Home Bistro, providing meals is a wonderful gift to give cancer patients.

11. Blankets & Bathrobes

Being comfortable and feeling nurtured was so important to me. I loved wrapping myself in a soft, cuddly blanket or bathrobe when hanging out around the house or sitting in a cold hospital waiting room. Hospitals are notoriously cold so I was always happy to have a comfy blanket packed in my carrying bag along with my . In fact, that comfort was so healing we’re designing the perfect blanket to help cancer patients feel wrapped in warmth and support.

12. Spa Gifts

Who doesn’t love a message, pedicure or facial? Gift baskets with relaxing bath salts and candles are wonderful especially when they include a gift card for some yummy relaxing treatment. Do be careful about smells though. During treatment your senses are heightened and, just like being pregnant, really smelly things. Essential oils are divine. Find one of the sample sets so your loved one can experiment with using different oils at different times throughout their treatment.

13. Digital Picture Frame

As the saying goes, a picture says a thousand words.  If someone you know with cancer has an upcoming extended stay in the hospital, a digital picture frame can hold many favorite uploaded photos and is much easier to carry to the hospital rather than a cumbersome paper photo album or box of photos. You can surprise the person by adding photos ahead of time, or you can help her go through old favorites as she chooses the pictures she wants to add.

14. Time Together

Sometimes the only thing I wanted was for someone to listen to me (not try to fix it -just listen) then give me a big ol’ genuine hug. Cancer is scary and overwhelming and hard. Having someone to just listen to me was incredibly healing. And best of all is good, quality time with friends. As they say…living, loving and laughing, cause that’s what its all about!! I hope some of my ideas have given you inspiration and would love to hear some of your ideas that have either helped you or a loved one through the journey. Please share with us below!

How Can I Help Someone Diagnosed with Cancer?

We all have a moment when we feel utterly helpless, whether just being diagnosed with cancer ourselves or hearing of a friend or loved one facing this daunting disease. And following that initial moment we yearn to help. To help ourselves or to help those that we love. Patients want to understand WHY & know WHAT TO DO! Friends & Family want to know HOW TO HELP.” A cancer diagnosis is such an overwhelming experience, not only for the patient, but for their loved ones as well. When I was diagnosed in 2010, I was amazed at the outpouring of love and support from my friends, family and other members of the community. I had friends who cooked and cleaned for me, I had complete strangers dropping off gifts at my house, yet I also, had friends who were as overwhelmed as I was and had no idea what to do or how to help.

That’s why I decided to put this post together on some great cancer patient gifts ideas for newly diagnosed cancer patients!

There are so many things you can do to support a cancer patient. I hope some of my ideas have given you inspiration. Thanks to the team at IHadCancer who have compiled a list of products above, and others that are intended to help treat side effects from chemotherapy and radiation.

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