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15 Thoughtful Gift Ideas for Cancer Patients

When you find out someone you know has cancer, you won’t always know exactly what to say or do to make their experience easier.

Giving a thoughtful gift is one of the many ways you can show support to a loved one going through cancer treatment. For inspiration, we asked members of the CaringBridge community whose lives have been touched by cancer to share the best gifts they’ve given or received.

Check out the list and get inspired by these 15 thoughtful gifts for cancer patients:

1. Homemade Meals or Restaurant Gift Cards

Offering meals is a gift-giving staple for a reason: it takes a huge burden off a patient. Finding the time to cook regularly is a challenge even for those with no health issues, let alone someone struggling with cancer. A home cooked meal or a gift card to a favorite restaurant can make a big difference.

A couple CaringBridge members who received meals during treatment shared their appreciation for this gift:

“We are an eat at the table family…when my daughter was doing chemo it would have meant takeout dinner….for over two years the people of our church (St. Mark’s Episcopal in Irving, Texas) came weekly with homemade meals and sat down at the table with my other children while I was at treatment with Echo….I still tear up thinking of it.”

Evan J. M.

“A home-cooked, sit-down dinner and someone coming to clean my house were the two best gifts I ever received while undergoing chemo.”

Nicole Nic N.

“Gift cards for meals for my family. The cutest was from a coworker who sent me a DQ gift card with a note that said ‘Have a cold one on me’!”

Michelle B. A.

2. Throw Them a Party

What takes someone’s mind off of things better than a party? When a loved one has cancer, it can feel difficult to get in the party mood, but it’s important to stay positive and celebrate any victories, big or small. Whether it be a birthday bash or recognizing a cancerversary (a significant milestone in one’s cancer journey), your loved one shouldn’t have to miss out because of their illness.

Here’s another unique party idea from a member of our community:

“A friend threw a hat and scarf party for me! I received hats, wigs, scarves, bandannas, headbands, and pretty pink earrings and bracelets! I can’t even remember everything I got! The whole church was there plus my family and friends! I was so surprised! I cried! I was so happy!”

Debbie W. M.

3. Make a CaringBridge Site

CaringBridge is a personal health journal that lets you easily share your health journey with all your loved ones. Creating a site is a great way to help your loved one easily communicate and receive support, which makes it an awesome gift to give someone battling cancer. Check out what a couple CaringBridge users had to say about creating a site:

“Doing a CaringBridge for my mother-in-law was the best thing I did for myself! My writings were priceless in the time it saved me. I then could spend more time with her. Then trying to keep everyone up-to-date, which would have been impossible. Thank you for being there for us!”

Linda W.

“Some of the best gifts my husband and I are receiving right now aren’t “physical” things, but support on our CaringBridge site from people we haven’t heard from in a very long time. Another thing that was an amazing gift to me was the Loving Kindness Meditation connected with CaringBridge. It helped me focus every day, and I saved the link and still go back to it.”

Carolyn M.

Start a CaringBridge Site

When you’re going through a health journey, you have a lot on your plate. CaringBridge replaces the time-consuming task of sharing your health news over and over. It’s a free, easy to use online journal for sharing health information with your family and friends.

Don’t go through your health journey alone.

You can stay connected to friends and family, plan and coordinate meals, and experience love from any distance.

All of this is ready for you when you start your personal CaringBridge site, which is completely free of charge, ad-free, private and secure. Don’t spend another minute alone!

Start Your Free Site Now

4. Help Out with Daily Tasks

One thing a cancer patient does not need any more of? Stress. Offering to help out with tasks like rides to treatments, house cleaning, feeding pets or driving kids to school/sports will lift a huge weight off your loved one’s shoulders. The less they focus on day-to-day chores, the more they can focus on getting better.

Here are some specific ways you can help out with daily tasks:

“One of the best gifts I got when I had my cancer in 2001-2002 was, a church friend would come pick up my 3 kids and drive them to 3 different schools each school day. She had 2 daughters that went to school also. It helped me tremendously, because a lot of times my cancer appointments were early and I could not drive my kids to their schools. Others gifts were gift baskets of things that I could use for different things during my cancer treatment sessions like cards, money or gift cards and people praying for me ALL over the world while I had cancer treatments and appointments.”

Debbie W. R.

“Years ago a women in our town had TB and was staying in a special hospital. She had 5 small children. The Junior Women’s Club took this on as a project. We took care of her children on a Friday – took turns feeding the family and whatever was needed.”

Carol L.

5. Simple Treats

The simplest gestures can often speak volumes. Many times, cancer patients are so occupied with treatment that life’s little pleasures get left to the wayside. Here are some ideas of simple yet meaningful gifts:

“Fresh fruit was always really welcome – whatever was nicest & in season. My mother-in-law sent me flowers every single treatment day – beautiful, and felt like an indulgence, but the consistency of her thoughtfulness meant a lot to me.”

Hanna C.

“Top favorites were chocolate covered pink ribbon strawberries, a super soft prayer blanket, and a Good Wishes head scarf/wrap.”

Angela K. C.

“My 6-year-old daughter Alyssa at the time of treatment received a red wagon that we used to transport her through the hospital and back to the car. She loved having her own wagon & her favorite blanket to comfort her during hospital stays.”

Patricia G.

6. Something to Look Forward to

Having something positive to look forward to is a great motivator for cancer patients to get through treatment. You can plan something to anticipate, or keep them reminded of a goal they have.

“When my sister was very sick with ovarian cancer, her friends and family did a mini-makeover on her kitchen, living room and dining room….including paint, new decor, new couch, etc. She got to come home to a fabulous, clean and beautiful home to recuperate!!!”

Renee B.

“During my radiation for breast cancer my main objective was to backpack with my friends & husband again. I went for radiation daily and then I went to the gym….daily…. to get ready for the hike in the spring. I was so focused on the physical recovery that at times I forgot about the treatment the hour before.”

Jean K.

7. Photos of Happy Memories

Giving pictures of friends and family from happy times are sure to brighten your loved one’s day. Here’s a sweet idea of how you can incorporate photos into an awesome gift:

“When my sister was diagnosed with breast cancer, her nephews presented her with a blanket with pictures of them that she could use for her chemo treatments.”

Kathy J.

8. Financial Gifts

Gifting money can sometimes feel uncomfortable or less thoughtful than other gifts. However, offering financial support can be one of the most thoughtful (and needed) gifts you can give to a cancer patient.

Many patients have to limit or give up working altogether due to their condition, and on top of that, treatment is expensive. Because of this, you may also consider starting a cancer fundraiser to help raise money for medical costs. CaringBridge partners with GoFundMe to helped loved ones easily create personal fundraisers through their CaringBridge site.

If you’re still not convinced that money is a good gift, check out this heartfelt quote:

“I am our primary bread-earner and when my husband went through massive cancer/chemo in 2015, it was a struggle financially…. a lot of unexpected co-pays, hospital stays where I needed to be with him. I’m self-employed so I was able to reschedule my hours to some degree, but still missed work that I really needed. Just when I wondered how we would make it, a check for $50 or $100 would appear in my mailbox or in my Bible at my church. All gifts of love mean the world when your world caves in.”

Cheryl B.

9. Regular Visits & Calls

It’s free, it’s easy and it’s so important. Going through cancer treatment can feel isolating and having the support of regular visitors is the best way to combat that.

Coordinate with your loved one to find the days they’ll be undergoing treatment and pick times that work for both of you to come visit. Trust us, simply showing up makes a world of difference to someone going through a health crisis.

And when you’re not visiting in person, pick up the phone and give your loved one a call. Hearing the voices of people they care about can be an incredible source of comfort and entertainment.

“The gift of time, to sit, help take my husband to chemo, stay while I ran an errand, take him to lunch with the guys if he was able.”

Carole C.

“Visit as much as possible and talk about old times.”

James W. H. Jr.

10. Thoughts & Prayers

Knowing that many people are thinking of you and praying for your wellbeing can provide a deep sense of comfort and support. Let your loved know in a text or a card that they’re always in your heart and mind. To widen their support net, consider starting a prayer chain for your loved one, so they know people are always thinking of them.

“I received a wooden prayer cross from my friend when I started chemo. I will always cherish it!”

Kurt K.

“Give words of encouragement and prayers to friends, family and even strangers.”

Sharon S.

11. Professional Massage

The benefits of massage include helping manage pain and muscle tension, plus emotional perks like stress relief and feelings of comfort and connection. A gift card to the spa for a facial or the salon for a manicure can be just as nice.

Whatever you choose, giving someone struggling with cancer an hour of pampering and relaxation will always be a great option.

12. Handwritten Cards

It may sound old-school, but there is something inexplicably sweet about receiving a handwritten note. Taking the few extra minutes to write kind words by hand is a great way to both tell and show your support. Plus, then they’ll have a physical memento to look back on when their day needs a bit of brightening.

For some ideas about what to say, here are some tips for what to write in a get well card.

13. A Special Surprise

Surprising your loved one with something personal and thoughtful is sure to put a smile on their face. Think about what activities or events they really love, and consider doing something special related to those things.

“When I went through cancer my sister came over and put a fall decoration on my front porch, it was a pumpkin, a bale of hay and a pot of mum’s. One of my favorite memories.”

Sammie P.

“When my daughter was diagnosed with cancer and started her first treatment, she was petrified! When we arrived, the receptionist gave her a gift bag from her “Chemo Fairy”. Every time we went, there was another bag filled with different goodies. We later learned it was her Mother-In-Law. There were lots of little details to keep it secret, but it was so successful that everyone in the chemo room could hardly wait for her to get there to see what she got. It affected everyone.”

Karen H.

14. Books

Hospitals aren’t the most exciting setting, and boredom can set in quickly. Keep your loved one entertained by bringing over some of your favorite books. You could bring anything from your favorite mystery novel to a prayer book – the main focus should be on sharing something you love (and think they’ll love, too.)

Check out these entertaining book suggestions to spark some ideas.

15. Gift Basket

Ah, the gift basket: It’s a solid classic. You can’t go wrong with a well put-together care package of your loved one’s favorite things. You can use a mixture of the previous suggestions or look to these other gift ideas for inspiration:

“As I was preparing for treatment, my family gave me a wonderful “chemo basket” filled with things I didn’t even know were a thing. It contained two cancer hats, a chemo port T-shirt with zipper closures on both sides of the front for easy access to the port (and it’s pink), a small jigsaw puzzle, books, puzzle book, a cancer support bracelet (“in this family, no one fights alone!”), as well as drops to suck on for nausea, cream to support the skin, and a few more delightful gifts.”

Kay R.

“A meal service. Gift card to spa. Red blanket for bottom of the bed (no verbal sign of very important patient). Phone charger and cords. Posters for endless beige walls. A Kindle with a one-year subscription to Prime. Sleep mask. Earplugs.”

Anna G.

“I got a gift basket of find-a-word books, ink pens, cards to send out and scarves for my bald head.. So thoughtful.”

Lela P.

Give the Gift of Love

It matters much less what you choose to give as long as you give it with love. We hope these gift ideas for cancer patients got your imagination whirring. They certainly put us in the giving mood.

(Important note: If you plan on bringing your gift to the hospital be mindful that there are restrictions. Please contact the hospital staff or patient to ensure that there are no allergies or other limitations that might prevent you from bringing your gift.)

What Are the Best Gifts You’ve Ever Given/Received? Comment Below!

We’d like to hear even more inspiring ideas from our readers! Please share your all-time favorite gifts you’ve received or given to someone in need.

Don’t Go Through Your Health Journey Alone

You can stay connected to friends and family, plan and coordinate meals, and experience love from any distance.

All of this is ready for you when you start your personal CaringBridge site, which is completely free of charge, ad-free, private and secure. Don’t spend another minute alone!

Start Your Free Site Now