10+ Compassionate Gifts for Chemo Patients
Giving someone a gift going through chemotherapy is a simple yet meaningful gesture. There are no perfect words of comfort and no perfect gift— just gift from the heart and know thathelp and support are always appreciated.
When deciding on a gift, it's important to note that it is the thought that counts. No matter what you decide on, your friend or family member will be so grateful that you thought of them. Check out AnaOno’s guide to gift-giving to someone going through chemo.
What is the best gift for someone going through chemo?
There is no one-size-fits-all gift for someone going through chemo. The most important thing is that your friend or family member feels supported. The gesture of gift-giving can go a long way and can be extremely helpful for things that are needed during this difficult time. Acknowledge that you understand how hard this time must be for them and that you'd like to help with a small gift.
10+ Gifts for Chemo Patients
1. Food or delivery service
Having cancer is extremely overwhelming and time-consuming. People's normal routine is turned upside down thanks to doctor visits and treatment. In addition, chemotherapy treatment can take anywhere from three to six months (and sometimes longer). This leaves little time for the seemingly mundane things in life, like preparing meals.
Giving a gift card for a food delivery service can help alleviate some of this stress. You can purchase your friend an Uber Eats gift card to use on Uber Eats or Postmates. An Insta cart gift card is another great way to get groceries delivered to your friend.
2. Moisturizers, lotions, & soaps
Help your friend or family member feel like themselves while going through chemo by gifting them a moisturizer or lotion. Hormone therapy can make skin dry and skin can flake due to inflammation. Be mindful of their sensitive skin and gift a non-scented lotion.
- Eucerin Original Healing Soothing Repair Creme:$7
- Aveeno Sheer Hydration Daily Moisturizer:$10
- Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream:$17
- Argan, Coconut and Castor Oil Body Lotion:$52
- Hylunia’s Gentle Skin Cleanser with HA (for cancer centers):$32
- Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Skin Therapy Skincare Set:$24.95
3. Candles
Indulge your friend in some aromatherapy love in the form of a thoughtful candle. It'll freshen up their space and help turn their home into a sanctuary during this difficult time
.
- Evil Queen: female-founded, vegan, and hand-made! We love their do not disturb candle, made with lavender, sandalwood, and sweet vanilla — $25
- Woodwick Lavender Spa:Lavender helps relax both the mind and body —$21.99
- AM to PM Scented Candle Set: help your friend burn a candle at all times with the help of these four candles —$50.15
4. Journal
A person going through chemotherapy often experiences feelings of fear, isolation, and sadness during (and oftentimes after) treatment. Instead of your friend bottling up the strong feelings they'll certainly have while going through chemo, they can release them in a journal. Journaling is a great way to let out your emotions in a healthy way. It can help reduce stress and anxiety and can improve a person's mood. Guided journals are incredibly helpful, as well. Check out some of AnaOno's favorites below.
- Ups & Downs: A Journal for Good and Not-So-Good Days: get it used for$8
- Start Where You Are: get it used for$5
- Classic Notebook Journal by Minimalist Art:$8
- Q&A a Day: 5-Year Journal:$11
5. Tumbler
There are two types of chemotherapy: adjuvant and neoadjuvant (also known as preoperative). Adjuvant chemotherapy is administered after a person has surgery and is normally recommended to those who have a high risk of cancer recurring or metastasizing (spreading to other parts of the body).
If someone going through chemo has had any type of surgery, it can be challenging to be mobile, even just to take a sip of water. Having a tumbler with a built-in straw can make drinking water much more accessible. A water bottle is also a great gift to help keep your friend or family member hydrated during treatment. We absolutely love the Pink Topaz Tumbler with Straw from S’well available for $35.
For the ultimate gift, pair a tumbler with smartwater or other waters with electrolytes, as staying hydrated is essential when going through treatment. It assists flushing out toxins and helps reduce the side effects of chemotherapy.
6. Lip moisturizer
Chemotherapy can have side effects like nausea and hair loss. But did you know that it can also affect your lips? Dry, cracked lips are not uncommon while undergoing breast cancer treatment, so having a lip moisturizer handy will help with this side effect. Check out some of our favorite lip balms below!
- Kiehl's: Paraben-free and fragrance-free —$10
- Carmex Lip Balm:an oldie but a goodie —$8 for three tubes
- Vaseline Lip Therapy:we love their cocoa butter infused version and handy mini sizes —$2
- Aquaphor Lip Repair Ointment: made with vitamins, shea butter, and soothing chamomile essence —$4
7. Calming tea
Drinking tea can help someone relax, sleep better, and reduce stress. There's nothing better than sipping on a hot mug of Chamomile tea before bedtime! Some of our other favorite tea flavors include peppermint, ginger, and hibiscus.
8. Pajamas
Help your friend kick back, relax, and recharge with the help of a comfortable set of pajamas or loungewear. If the person in your life with cancer has had surgery like a mastectomy or lumpectomy in addition to chemotherapy, then you'll want to gift clothing that closes or buttons in the front, like AnaOno’s Miena Robe. Check out some additional favorites below!
9. Tissues
Tears come with the chemo territory, and what better way to show your friend or family member you care about them than by gifting some tissues?
10. AnaOno Gift Card
AnaOno's goal is to create the most comfortable and beautiful bras for all boob types. Gift your friend or family member the perfect bra dependent on their breast shape and surgery outcome due to breast cancer. We have bras to accommodate everyone, and you can select a bra based on treatment, body type, or bra type. Check out our entire collection, here. You can purchase an AnaOno gift card, here.
If you want even more helpful reads on how to help a friend or family member navigate breast cancer, please check out the helpful AnaOno articles below.
