How to Create the Perfect Cancer Care Package
It's tough to know what to do when someone you know gets cancer, let alone what type of gift to give them. Many hard days are ahead of them — and while flowers and a get well card are certainly nice gestures, you can give plenty of gifts that can actually be useful to someone in your life diagnosed with cancer.
10 + gifts to put in a cancer care package
A cancer care package will show someone diagnosed that you support and acknowledge the tough times that they’ll be facing. Check out some of AnaOno’s tips below for putting together the perfect package, including best gifts for people going through chemotherapy, radiation, or having surgery.
What to Gift Someone Having a Mastectomy or Lumpectomy
Many people with breast cancer have some type of surgery as part of their treatment, including a mastectomy or lumpectomy. Surgeries are performed to remove as much of the cancer as possible, to see whether cancer has spread, or as reconstruction after a breast is removed. If this is the case, be sure to check out AnaOno’s gift ideas for someone having surgery below.
Rora Pocket Front Closure Bra
Why we love it: You can’t go wrong purchasing the Rora Pocket Front Closure Bra. It was voted the BEST post-mastectomy bra by InStyle Magazine, and for good reason. It truly is the triple threat: soft, adjustable, and stylish.
Buy it: $59 at AnaOno
Miena Robe with Drain Belt Management
Why we love it: Give the gift of comfort with a plush robe, perfect for lounging. The Miena Robe is the ultimate loungewear for breast surgery and post-reconstruction recovery.
Buy it: $79 at AnaOno
Spa Gift Certificate
Why we love it: there's no better way to recharge after having a surgery than with a spa day. While your friend or family member may not be able to get anything full-body for some time, they'll be able to get services like facials, wash/dry blow-outs and even a foot massage. To go an extra mile, look for oncology spas that specialize in supporting cancer patients that use soft and gentle products that are still relaxing and better for everyone.
Seatbelt Pillow
Why we love it: You'll want to include a seatbelt pillow in your cancer care package so that someone can be comfortable in the car while keeping sensitive areas after surgery, or port-scars comfortable as they travel to and from their doctor appointments. If your loved one is undergoing a FLAP Reconstructive surgery, get two - one for the chest and one for the abdomen area.
Buy it: $39 The ParkPuff™ Seat Belt Pillow at Survivor Moda
UberEats Gift Certificate
Why we love it: It'll be hard for your friend or family member to get up on their own, cook food, get dressed, and so on depending on their treatment, delivered food will undoubtedly be appreciated. Don't have UberEats in your area, offer to send Venmo or Cash App for a week's worth of meals, or even cook them yourself and drop off at the front door.
Buy it: $20, $50, $100, or $200 at UberEats
Pillow Spray
Why we love it: Your loved one will be spending more time in bed than usual — make it their sanctuary with the help of a calming pillow spray, like Pacifica’s Lavender Moon Body & Pillow Mist.
Buy it: $10 at Pacifica
Dry Shampoo or Baby Powder
Why we love it: It is hard to shower when you're tired, going through treatment, or have had surgery. It’s easier to refresh and feel free without having to take a shower with the help of dry shampoo or baby powder. Prose’s Dry Shampoo refreshes your roots for that fresh-out-the-shower look and is also gluten-free, silicone-free, and vegan.
Buy it: $25 at Prose
What to Gift Someone Going Through Chemo or Radiation
Chapstick or Lip Balm
Why we love it: Some cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, can cause dry, cracked lips. Combat this side effect by gifting lip balms or lip therapy. We love Tropical Ambrosia Lip Balm by Rosebud Perfume Co.
Buy it: $8 at Sephora
Tumbler with Straw
Why we love it: Did you know that it can take upwards of six months for saliva glands to come back after someone has had radiation? That’s right — chemotherapy and radiation can damage salivary glands which cause dry mouth and depending on the treatment can take anywhere from two weeks to six months or even longer to be back to normal. Give a convenient cup with straw or tumbler to help hydrate the person in your life diagnosed with cancer.
Buy it: $35 at S’well
Provide gentle, non-judgmental support and encouragement with the help of a cancer care package with some of the items listed above. In addition, check out more helpful articles below that will help you navigate and support your friend or family member who has been diagnosed.
- 10+ Gifts for Chemo Patients
- What To Say To Someone Who Has Cancer In A Card
- 10+ Helpful Gifts for Cancer Patient
- What To Say To Someone With Cancer
- Your Helpful Guide To Recovery
Our favorite cancer care package.
Overwhelmed by the amount of support needed to help someone you love, it's ok. We get it. Shop and support one of our favorite curated care packages at Unite For Her, where you can get hand-picked breast cancer survivor backed product all-in-one. Splurge on the "Large" Box and get the Miena AnaOno Robe Included!
And last but not least, an AnaOno Gift Certificate is always a great choice so patients know there is beauty well beyond their recovery and support all the way through. Get an AnaOno Gift Certificate today.
