Reading Time: 7 minutes The Ultimate 2022 Gift Guide for a Friend with Cancer
This is a collaborative post about cancer by Sami.
When a person we care about is diagnosed with cancer, it’s normal to want to help but feel unsure how to help. The patient themselves may feel embarrassed or unable to tell friends and family members what they really need or want.
Choosing gifts for cancer patients can become complicated and confusing for most of us. If you want to get something for a friend with cancer but are unsure where to begin, we’ve compiled a list of meaningful and useful gift ideas for that special cancer patient in your life.
A Warm Throw Blanket
Hospital rooms can get notoriously chilly and may require an additional layer of warmth. Even infusion rooms that supply blankets can get uncomfortably cold. Having your own soft, velvety blanket can be a source of comfort and warmth for patients. These Huggaroo Best Friend blankets are a favorite because they come adorned with uplifting words.
Blackout Mask
A blackout mask is a simple yet inexpensive gift that can help a patient sleep better at home and the hospital. Many patients deal with additional stress because they are unable to relax. These blackout masks are more comfortable than satin and other synthetic materials and can prevent light from interfering with the quality and quantity of sleep.
Infusion-Accessible Clothing
If your friend is going through chemotherapy, infusion treatments are a crucial part of their treatment plan. Buying them practical yet fashionable, infusion-accessible clothing with dual-port access might help them feel more comfortable during these treatments. These shirts come with zippers that allow discreet port access and can help patients stay warm during chemotherapy, other cancer-related infusion treatments
Self-Care Products
Self-care is the powerful and essential practice that supports your physical and mental wellbeing. Not only are self-care products great for mental wellbeing, but they can also help overcome some of the common side effects of cancer treatment. For instance, these organic lip balms can help ease the pain of cracked and sore lips caused by chemo.
Care Packages
Surprise your cancer hero with a complete gift set designed to maximize comfort during their chemo treatments. You can put together a care package with meaningful items on your own or shop ready-made curated gift bundles like the Chanasya 5-Piece Gift Pack.
Uplifting Books
Everyone experiences cancer differently, one thing we hear constantly from patients is that it helps to learn from other people who have gone through similar experiences. There are many great books written by cancer survivors, including Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips by Kris Carr. Carr’s book is “incredibly helpful in finding the humorous side of life’s darkest moments”. Looking for something different? More inspirational books are available at mycarecrew.store
Recipe Book for Cancer Treatment & Recovery
Gifting “The Cancer-Fighting Kitchen” or any other book on this topic can be immensely helpful for your friend and their primary caregiver. The recipes are science-based and crafted to nutritionally support cancer patients through each treatment phase.
If you are putting together a cancer care package, this is a great addition because they provide the necessary information for battling treatment side effects.
If you’re handy in the kitchen, give one of the recipes a try and surprise your friend with a ready-made meal! If Covid-19 restrictions prevent you from doing home visits, have the necessary ingredients delivered to their door.
Goodie Box
We all know too well how long waiting times are at doctor appointments, getting tests done or receiving treatments. These goodie boxes provide a healthy assortment of snacks to grab and go out the door. It’s one less thing your cancer hero has to worry about!
Funny Cancer Fighter/Survivor T-Shirt
A little dose of humor might just be the thing that helps your friend get through a hard day! A funny t-shirt might not be the first thing that comes to mind when searching for the best gifts for cancer patients. But if your friend likes goofing around and has a sense of humor, a funny t-shirt might just be the thing that puts a smile on their face. You can’t help but laugh and empathize with a friend wearing a “My oncologist does my hair” shirt.
Aromatherapy Inhaler
Chemotherapy has an array of side effects, including nausea and migraines. The aromatherapy inhaler, as a natural remedy, can help your friend by soothing chemo side effects. It’s made with essential oils as a drug-free alternative for pain relief. The inhaler is a great addition to a chemo-kit gift for your friend with cancer.
Recovery Robe
If your friend has to undergo cancer surgery, the best you can do is spend time with them and be supportive. You can also give them a practical gift designed for these situations, a recovery robe. Pain, over-sensitivity, and tenderness are common after surgery, a soft comfy robe can provide a little more comfort during treatments.
Journey Planner
Journaling can be therapeutic, especially for our mental health. Choosing the perfect journal for your friend, gifted with a handwritten note filled with love and encouragement, can help them get through this tough time. You can even go a step further and get them a journal with specific tabs for the cancer treatment plan, terminology, and inspirational thoughts.
Wall Art
Motivation and encouragement are vital for everyone, especially for someone going through cancer treatment. Gifting them wall art with inspirational quotes is one way to show you care. This is one of our favorites!
Tablet
One thing you can count on while going through cancer treatments is A LOT of waiting. Waiting to see the doctor, waiting to get scans, waiting while getting chemo, waiting, waiting, waiting. What better way to pass the time than with an iPad preloaded with apps, games, books or movies to help pass the time!
Volunteer Your Time
Sometimes, taking time out to help your loved one is the best way to support them. If you’re looking for a way to help out a friend with cancer without overwhelming them, the My CareCrew app is an excellent solution. This health app for cancer patients includes several features that can help patients or caregivers coordinate tasks and allow friends and family to offer support to the patient with ease.
Sign up to receive details about the My CareCrew app today.
My CareCrew is not a licensed medical care provider. Please consult your medical team before following any suggestion mentioned in our blog or using a featured product or service to treat any medical condition.
Please note some of the products and services featured are from third-party and affiliate partners. My CareCrew receives compensation when you click on the links and purchase those products or services. Your purchase helps fund the free My CareCrew app for Cancer patients and caregivers!
Next: Check out free stuff for cancer patients.
Rachel is an Austin blogger, educator, mom, wife, young breast cancer survivor writing about health, saving money, and living a happy life in Austin, Texas.
Rachel has written for HuffPost and Hometalk and has been featured on KXAN, Studio 512, Fox 7 Austin, and CBS Austin.