If someone you love is newly navigating cancer and chemotherapy, you might wonder how you can offer them some support. To better understand what might help, SELF asked people who went (or are going) through cancer treatments to share what made them feel less alone during the process.
Several people said they appreciate when others reach out to acknowledge their experience. “The little gestures from your friends and family really do mean the world to you,” Tatei Montejo, who has ovarian cancer, tells SELF.
Susan Rafte, a breast cancer survivor and volunteer at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, agrees: “There’s so much happening in a patient’s world that it’s nice to let them know you’re thinking of them.”
There are, of course, many ways to show you care, including taking your friend or family member to appointments, cooking meals, and running errands. But if you’re looking for a tangible gift, there are lots of thoughtful items and giftable services that can be helpful. We’ve rounded up the best chemotherapy gift ideas, according to people who’ve had treatments, caregivers, and people who work with cancer patients.
For more picks, check out all of the best gift ideas of 2023.
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