
A cancer diagnosis can be stressful for an entire family. Whether a parent or a child undergoes cancer treatment, the stress is systemic. Physical gifts, financial support, and gifts of time can help alleviate burdens. Here are our ideas for gifts for a family dealing with cancer, as well as suggestions for other forms of support that do not involve buying a gift.
1. Healthy foods
- Why we love them: Food gifts offer a welcome treat for the whole family while providing for a patient’s nutritional needs.
- What to look for: Look for organic and nutritious treats that ditch added sugar. For a longer-lasting gift, you could consider a cookbook filled with healthy and delicious recipes that can be enjoyed as a family.
- Mend Together favorites:
2. Bird feeders
- Why we love them: Whether window-mounted or pole-mounted, bird feeders bring the healing power of nature to you. Adults and children alike can spend time together watching the birds that the feeder beckons to the window.
- What to look for: Identify a model that provides the best view from whichever room it will be enjoyed the most. It may be a window-mounted model or one that can hang from a tree branch or a pole. Don’t forget the birdseed.
- Mend Together favorites:
3. Activity books
- Why we love it: Kids need activities to help distract them, whether that is during a treatment session or while resting in bed. Activity books with puzzles, games, and markers are a welcome escape.
- What to look for: Some activities are geared toward younger or older kids, so look for a recommended age range when purchasing.
- Mend Together favorites:
4. Books for young readers
- Why we love it: Books and journals can help a child with cancer process and manage complicated and overwhelming emotions related to their diagnosis and treatment.
- What to look for: There is no shortage of books out there, so be sure to read carefully before making your selection. It may help to select a book written by a child psychologist or a doctor.
- Mend Together favorites:
What else can you do for a family with cancer?
Gifts are not the only way to support a family wrangling with a cancer diagnosis. Your time and effort are excellent and much-needed ways to make daily life easier for the whole family. Here are four ways you can gift your time to a family dealing with cancer.
- Offer to help with household and family care tasks. Cooking, cleaning, and other household chores can be exhausting for someone caring for a sick spouse or child, or for someone undergoing cancer treatment themselves. Offer to make a meal or mow the lawn to make daily life easier.
- Take the kids for a day. Bringing the kids to a special activity gives the adults a welcome reprieve, whether they need childcare while a parent receives treatment or the parents just want to take the day for themselves. Plus, the kids get to blow off steam and not worry about illness, even if it is just for a few hours.
- Don’t constantly ask the family for updates. A service like the Mend Together community journal platform provides an outlet for patients and their families to share updates. This way, exhausted patients and caregivers only need to provide updates once that friends and family can check. You may wish to volunteer to help the family write and share these updates.
- Consider monetary help. Cancer care and related expenses add up, and they can be devastating for a family’s finances. With the family’s permission, you may wish to organize a fundraiser, manage a profile on Mend Together’s registry platform, or donate to them directly. Alternatively, you can offer to pay for food, clothing, and other needs.

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Offering Additional Support
Family is an essential support system when someone receives a cancer diagnosis, but no family can go it alone. Through the Gift & Donation Registry, families can create a list of the most practical items they need during treatment, while the Community Journal lets families share important updates with the push of a button, avoiding the emotional burden of answering how they are many times over. Our new Volunteer Calendar takes the mystery out of daily tasks. Emotional, financial, and practical help from friends, neighbors, coworkers, and extended family can help alleviate the burden of managing an illness and everyday life.
Stella Morrison is an award-winning journalist who partners with mission-driven companies to share their stories. She is based in New York City.
Information provided here is not a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your healthcare team for advice tailored to your personal diagnosis and treatment.