Being present for a friend or loved one facing cancer is an invaluable gift that goes beyond material offerings. In the midst of their journey, the power of companionship, understanding, and support can make a world of difference. This article aims to highlight the significance of being there for someone experiencing cancer and offers thoughtful gift ideas to show your love and support. Additionally, we will explore the practicality and kindness of starting a meal train using Give InKind, a platform that simplifies the coordination of meals and other support for those in need. By combining the power of presence, meaningful gifts, and organized assistance, we can create a network of love and care that uplifts those battling cancer in their time of need.

Create a Meal Train

Although many people won’t admit it, creating a meal train is perhaps one of the best gifts you can give a friend experiencing cancer. No matter your friend’s age, you can’t go wrong with gifting a meal train. The last thing on your friend and their family members’ minds would be cooking or determining what to have for dinner. You are taking this task off their minds by putting together a meal train.

When organizing a meal train, it is essential to consider what foods your friend and their family members like or don’t like and if any allergies need to be considered. After having this information figured out,  we highly recommend creating a signup system for those who are participating in the meal train; we recommend this because it will allow everyone to see what each person is planning on contributing to the meal train as well as the date that they have signed up to deliver the meal. This is important because it prevents the recipient from receiving duplicates of the same meal and being bombarded with excess food at a given time.       

It would be best if you also were sure that the meal train support consists of a combination of meals that can be frozen later and meals that can be thrown in the oven and heated up. In either case, those participating in the meal train should also include a piece of paper or a notecard that gives instructions on how long to cook the meal, when it is best eaten by, or how long it will remain good after being frozen. For more information on how to set up a meal train, visit Give InKind.

Warm Socks and Slippers

This may not seem like the most exciting gift to most of us, but for a friend going through cancer treatments, this can make their treatment time a bit more bearable. We all know hospitals and hospital rooms can be freezing and feel even colder to those with blood circulation issues when sick. Warm socks and slippers will keep their feet nice and warm as they sit there, taking in the treatment.

A Favorite Family Picture or Album

A sentimental gift you can get your friend is a few printed images of them with you and their family. If there are too many pictures, consider making them a photo album.

Insulated Water Bottles

No matter what cold or warm drink your friend may choose, gifting them an insulated water bottle can help them keep any drink of their choice at a temperature of their liking. Perfect for hospital trips or laying in bed.

Gift Basket

With gift baskets, you can be creative; you can include things like your friend’s favorite snacks, a candle to light up their room, and other activities such as face masks and chapstick. These are only a few things you can consider putting into a gift basket for them. Along with these items, you can pair different items found throughout this list. It all comes down to what you feel like doing and what you think your friend will enjoy receiving. 

A Journal

With journals, there are many different types for your friend. You can go with the traditional blank-lined one that allows them to write down whatever they think or feel. Perhaps even secrets that they may or may not want to share with you. A place to vent and not feel judged or analyzed by family members. This is perhaps why this type of journal is so highly recommended and loved by all those who enjoy sitting and physically writing things down on paper. 

A few other forms of journals that you can give your friend include one with prompts that they can answer and journals with themes such as gratitude journals, dream journals, and bullet journals. There are so many different ones to choose from, but it will allow your friend to escape reality and be as brutally honest as they want.

Magazines and Books

Two ways your friend can pass the time as they undergo treatment that doesn’t involve scrolling through a phone. Magazines come in so many formats and genres that the possibilities of what to get are endless. From sports to celebrity gossip, to cooking and lifestyles. Then there are books. Is your friend into fiction? Horror? Or perhaps fantasy?

Adult Coloring Book, Word Searches, Crossword Puzzles, and more

Activity books such as these make for a great distraction for someone as they sit for long periods of time and they keep the mind sharp. One of the other wonderful things about these activity books is that your friend can sit in bed or on the couch at home and do these different activities without exerting a lot of extra energy.

Create a Podcast or Song Playlist

Personalize a list of songs they will like along with podcasts that you think they may enjoy. Some may consider this gift a true test of your friendship and how well you know them. Your friend can take this gift on the go and lay there and listen, allowing their body to rest.

Gift Cards

This can also be another great gift to give a friend with cancer. They may not be able to go shopping physically but gifting them with a gift card allows them to go online to their favorite stores and shop virtually from there. It may not be the same as walking around the mall and trying things on, but it still allows your friend to get everything they need without exerting too much time or energy.

Blackout Curtains or Noise-Canceling Headphones

Now as odd as this duo may be, they can make an excellent gift for your friend with cancer. It permits your friend to make their bedrooms as dark as they want and allows them to tune out the world and have some of the best naps of their lives. Something that we all wish we could do every once in a while. The ability to sleep well is another one of those important thing for anyone’s body to heal, especially when battling serious illnesses and diseases.

These Are Our Favorite Gifts for Cancer Patients

As you can see, there are several different gifts that you can give your friend who is battling cancer. Ultimately, it all comes down to what you feel like gifting your friend and what you think they will enjoy. We hope that this list was able to help you brainstorm some different gifts. Remember that although physical gifts can be great, one of the best gifts to give them is your time and company, being there and reminding them they aren’t alone.