Best Ways To Give Back to the Cancer Community
If you’ve helped a loved one through cancer treatment, you know firsthand how many people come together to offer their support and care. From doctors guiding patients gently and compassionately through their treatments to everyday strangers volunteering, sharing experiences, and raising money, the cancer community is full of people from all walks of life who offer invaluable support.
Their help brings understanding, wisdom, and comfort to cancer patients and their caregivers. That’s why many people are eager to give back to the cancer community once they’ve come out the other side of cancer treatment. Here are six ways to pay forward the care you've given to others facing cancer.
Volunteer Your Time and Skills
Cancer centers are always looking for volunteers to help with everything from answering phones to behind-the-scenes operations that keep their organization running. You can volunteer as a driver to help deliver meals and groceries or drive patients to and from doctor appointments. Work with event coordinators to plan and run virtual and in-person events. Want to help spread the word and encourage others to join the community? Become an outreach volunteer to help with fundraisers and gain supporters.
Depending on your skill set, you can also help through tasks such as social media marketing, website design, translation services, cooking or housekeeping services for places that offer lodging for patients, and so much more. With flexible time commitments and countless opportunities tailored to your unique skills, there are so many ways you can lend your aid. Reach out to your local treatment centers or cancer organizations and talk to the volunteer coordinator there to see what you can do to help.
Organize Fundraisers in Your Community
Anyone can start a fundraiser to raise money for local treatment centers, non-profit organizations helping cancer patients, or even individuals who need financial support to help with treatment and other payments. With money raising websites that let you make an account and promote your cause around the world, organizing a personal fundraiser has never been easier. You can also work with other organizations in your community, such as local churches, schools, treatment centers, or social groups, to help spread the word and organize events.
You can host dinners, auctions, raffles, trivia or game nights, car washes, or other events to bring people together and help raise money. The funds you raise are more than just a show of support; they can be life-changing for patients and caregivers struggling to afford treatment and stay on top of bills.
Attend Cancer Events and Fundraisers
You don’t have to be behind the scenes to be helpful. Cancer treatment centers, hospitals, local support groups, and nationwide organizations host countless events each year to unite people and bring support to cancer patients and caregivers.
Events such as Relay for Life, a charity walk hosted by the American Cancer Society, are both a show of support and an opportunity to spread awareness and raise money for patients, research, and more. That's just one example of the many events you can attend to help uplift others and support those working to end cancer.
Donate Money
If you want to offer financial support but don’t have your own fundraiser idea, donating is always one of the simplest yet most effective ways to give back to the cancer community. You can donate to fundraisers helping individuals or groups, or you can find local cancer centers looking for funds.
You can also go bigger and donate to national groups such as the American Cancer Society or the American Institute for Cancer Research. Your money will go toward supporting patients and their caregivers, furthering cancer research, spreading public education about cancer, and other causes that make a real impact. Whether funding new treatments or cancer education, your support makes a real impact on patients and their families.
Join a Caregiver Support Group
Caregivers face their own unique challenges throughout their loved ones’ cancer treatments. The responsibilities, worry, and helplessness create a lot of stress, and many caregivers put so much pressure on themselves to do it all alone without ever faltering. This leads to burnout and can cause both mental and physical health issues.
Caregiver support groups consist of people who have helped or are currently helping a loved one through cancer treatment. They offer a space full of compassion and understanding, where caregivers can voice fears, ask questions, and think about their own well-being without fear of judgement.
Support groups can be a great boon emotionally, allowing caregivers to share experiences and offer advice and insight. They show that you're not alone and the way you think and feel isn’t selfish or harmful. They're also a fantastic educational resource, where caregivers can share information about different treatment options, experiences at specific cancer centers, advice or resources for finding funding, support, or specific care products. Share your caregiver experience in a support group to help others find comfort, guidance, and support.
Send Cancer Gifts
A gift basket will always bring a smile to someone’s face. Treatment centers, non-profit organizations, and individuals going through cancer treatment can benefit from practical presents and treats that can help with cancer symptoms and treatment side effects. Personal care items such as scentless lip balms and lotions help with dehydrated skin, while items like tea sets, coloring books, or a loving note offer helpful mental distractions during hard times.
The Balm Box sells comfort gifts for cancer patients that deliver real support rather than just sentiment. Whether you’re helping someone stay warm with cozy socks and blankets or offering ginger mints, essential oils, and other extras to help ease nausea, these gifts show a real understanding of what cancer treatment entails and offer genuine support to make each day a little bit easier.
Buy gifts for someone you know or send them to a treatment center or organization to support someone you don’t. Either way, it’s a meaningful way to show care and encouragement to those who need it.
