October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. If you would like to help support those going through breast cancer treatment, here are some ideas.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. About 276,000 women and 2,600 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. Because breast cancer is so common, it is likely that someone you know has been, or will be, affected by the disease.
If you would like to help support those going through breast cancer treatment, here are some ideas.
1) Donate to charities. There are many to choose from. You might choose one that focuses on patient support or an organization that does clinical research.
2) Offer your help. Don’t be afraid to offer your specific help to someone going through treatment. Offer some suggestions of things you know they likely need such as drive their kids somewhere, grocery shop, walk the dog or clean their kitchen. And don’t forget to keep offering to help. The longer someone is in treatment, the more help they will need.
3) Donate clothing. Many oncologists welcome gifts of scarves, hats and blankets for their patients. Just ask ones in your area if they are accepting donations.
4) Write letters and cards. You can send cards or letters to your friends. Or write some encouraging notes and drop them at a treatment center for patients to receive.
5) Drive them to treatment. Appointments can be difficult and fill a cancer patient with anxiety. It can help to have a friendly face to talk to.
6) Be there to listen. Make sure to check in just to talk and listen, even if it's over the phone or via text. Let the patient know you are thinking about them.
7) Deliver meals. Chemo treatment is very exhausting. Help provide food by cooking or ordering takeout.
8) Help motivate them. Tell jokes, talk about the positive things that are going on in your lives, share funny videos, and provide encouragement.
Unfortunately, sometimes the unthinkable happens and we lose someone we love to breast cancer. If that is the case, we have many helpful articles in our database about how to handle grief and/or support someone who is going through the grieving process.
You may also want to honor the memory of a loved one who has passed away from breast cancer. In that case, you might consider doing some of the above options for others who are currently going through treatment themselves.
