A range of organisations and programmes exist to provide free gifts, practical assistance, and emotional support to individuals undergoing chemotherapy. These initiatives aim to alleviate some of the physical and financial burdens associated with treatment, offering items such as care packages, clothing, housecleaning services, and prosthetics. The availability of these freebies often depends on geographical location, the specific programme’s criteria, and the type of support offered. This article details the types of free support available, based on information from various organisations, and outlines how individuals might access them.
Free Care Packages and Comfort Items
Several organisations provide free care packages filled with items designed to offer comfort during chemotherapy treatment. These packages often include a combination of practical goods and uplifting gifts.
- Project Chemo Crochet offers free handmade crocheted blankets to all cancer patients, irrespective of cancer type, serving as a reminder that no one fights alone.
- Amazing Grace Organization provides personalised care packages and experiences focused on entertainment, comfort, hope, and strength.
- Battle Cap Project Battle Kits supply a care package for anyone battling cancer. The packages include a water bottle, journal, candy, verse cards, Chapstick, and other fun and uplifting items. Each package is prayed over for the recipient before being sent.
- Phil’s Friends provides support through hand-assembled care packages filled with comfort items specifically selected for those facing cancer.
- Tenaciously Teal offers specialised care packs for men, women, and children currently in treatment. Each pack contains day-to-day items cancer fighters have found helpful, along with a handwritten note of encouragement.
- United Cancer Support Foundation provides free, personalised care packages offering relaxation and comfort for those in active treatment. It is noted that this programme is not available in the following states: Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, and Utah.
- Cumberland Valley (serving Western MD, the Eastern Panhandle of WV, and Southern PA) offers ‘After Surgery Heart Pillows’ for newly diagnosed breast cancer patients and restaurant and grocery store gift cards for breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment.
- Illinois residents undergoing cancer treatment within a 30-mile radius of Oak Lawn may be eligible for holiday gifts and basic necessities from Christmas Without Cancer, which now operates year-round.
- New York residents can access Lucia’s Angels, which offers Pink Ribbon bags filled with educational information, resources, and self-care items for women diagnosed with breast and gynecological cancers.
- Ohio residents in Mahoning, Trumbull, and Columbiana counties can access Yellow Brick Place, which offers a beauty bag with new makeup, tools, and additional beauty products free of charge as part of their ‘Your Beauty Programme’.
- Look Good Feel Better is listed as providing a beauty bag.
- The Gracie Foundation provides Gracie Gifts.
- Alphonse Breast Cancer Foundation provides Hope Box Care Packages.
- Cancer Support Services provides The Lydia Project Totes.
- Dempsey Centre provides free handmade items.
- Boxes of Hope is listed as a provider of care packages.
Head Coverings, Wigs, and Prosthetics
Hair loss is a common side effect of chemotherapy, and several organisations provide free head coverings and wigs. Additionally, some organisations provide free prosthetics.
- Battle Cap Project provides custom-made crocheted caps for anyone battling cancer.
- Breast Cancer Awareness of Cumberland Valley provides wigs, scarves, and hats for free for any woman going through chemotherapy (not just breast cancer patients).
- Yellow Brick Place offers wigs along with other head coverings, scarves, jewellery, and accessories for anyone battling cancer in Mahoning, Trumbull, and Columbiana counties.
- Angel Hair For Cancer is listed as a provider of free wigs.
- Cuts Against Cancer is listed as a provider of free wigs.
- Locks of Love is listed as a provider of free wigs.
- Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Skin and Hair Resources is listed as a provider of free wigs.
- Ebeauty Wig Exchange Programme provides free wigs with a note from an oncologist or doctor.
- Awesome Breast Forms provides 100% cotton, knitted or crocheted breast forms. Users can select a single form or a set, the colour and cup size, and it will be made by volunteers specifically for them.
- Knitted Knockers provides special handmade breast prostheses. These can be adapted for those going through reconstructions by simply removing some of the stuffing.
Practical Assistance Services
Some organisations provide services that help with the practical challenges of undergoing treatment, such as housecleaning and career support.
- Cleaning for a Reason provides free housecleaning for those undergoing cancer treatment. When matched with a cleaning company, a patient receives a total of two free home cleanings, one per month for two months.
- Breast Cancer Awareness of Cumberland Valley provides a free one-time, two-hour house cleaning for breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.
- Cancer and Careers provides cancer patients and survivors with free resume feedback and a job search toolkit.
- Great Clips offers free haircuts for cancer patients undergoing treatment. This is available at all Great Clips salons in the U.S. and Canada.
Emotional Support and Encouragement
Emotional support is a key component of many freebie programmes, often delivered through cards, messages, and virtual communities.
- Card Care Connection sends thoughtful, handmade cards with a personal message that can be received one time, or ongoing throughout treatment.
- Chemo Angels pairs cancer patients in active IV chemotherapy or intensive immunotherapy treatment with two volunteers who will support them through their journey with cards and possibly occasional small, inexpensive gifts.
- Send a Smile Today provides hope, love, and support through inspirational greeting cards mailed monthly to any cancer patient of any age with any type of cancer living anywhere in the United States.
- Cumberland Valley runs The Angel Programme, where volunteers send weekly cards/notes and small gifts to breast cancer patients while they’re going through treatment.
- Lucia’s Angels provides three ½ hour massages from licensed massage therapists to women diagnosed with breast and gynecological cancers.
Exercise, Nutrition, and Wellness Programmes
Several organisations offer free online classes and programmes focused on physical and mental well-being during cancer treatment.
- Cancer Pathways Online Gentle Yoga Class offers free weekly yoga classes via Zoom for anyone affected by cancer.
- Hope Connections for Cancer Support offers free online exercise classes for cancer patients and caregivers aged 18 and older. Classes include yoga, Pilates, and Tai-Chi.
- Lending Hearts provides free virtual wellness programmes for USA-based cancer patients. Classes include yoga, mindfulness & relaxation, and nutrition.
- Life With Cancer offers free online exercise, nutrition, and education programmes.
- Ovations for the Cure Helping Hands Programme (Massachusetts) provides free healthy and easy-to-prepare meals to patients currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment.
Other Free Items and Services
Additional free items are available through various organisations.
- Caring Shirts provides free shirts that are altered to open on the sides or top to better accommodate ports, PICC lines, etc.
- Patients into People Hospital Gowns provides a free, cheerful new hospital gown to brighten days spent in the hospital.
- Hallie Strong Care Package provides comfort and fun during chemo with comfy socks, sent in loving memory of Hallie, the founders’ daughter they lost to cancer.
- United Cancer Support Foundation (Knoxville, Tennessee) provides recliners for East Tennessee cancer patients to help the patient relax, as well as provide improved blood circulation in the legs, alleviate back pain, and help with nausea sometimes caused by chemotherapy. It is noted that these new recliners are PICK UP ONLY.
- Cumberland Valley provides ‘After Surgery Heart Pillows’ for newly diagnosed breast cancer patients.
- Yellow Brick Place (Ohio) offers wigs, head coverings, scarves, jewellery, and other accessories, and teaches clients makeup and skincare tips to manage hair loss and skin changes from cancer treatment.
How to Apply and Access Freebies
The application process for free products and services varies by programme. Each programme listed has its own eligibility requirements and application process. Direct links are typically provided by the organisations to help individuals find and apply for the services that meet their needs.
For example, Project Chemo Crochet is hyperlinked, and the text for each listing is where users go to connect with that website to request the items. Cancer and Careers provides a job search toolkit. United Cancer Support Foundation requires a form to be printed and completed with a doctor, social worker, or nurse navigator and then scanned, emailed, or mailed to the organisation.
It is important to note that some programmes have geographical restrictions. For instance, Christmas Without Cancer supports Illinois residents undergoing treatment within a 30-mile radius of Oak Lawn. Yellow Brick Place serves Mahoning, Trumbull, and Columbiana counties in Ohio. United Cancer Support Foundation is not available in Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, and Utah. United Cancer Support Foundation also provides recliners specifically for East Tennessee cancer patients, with a pick-up-only policy.
For wigs, the Ebeauty Wig Exchange Programme requires a note from an oncologist or doctor. For individuals with insurance coverage, it may be beneficial to inquire with the insurance provider regarding wig coverage, as many insurance plans offer coverage for wigs with a prescription.
Conclusion
A wide array of free support and gift programmes exists for individuals undergoing chemotherapy, ranging from practical items like care packages, wigs, and housecleaning services to emotional support through cards and virtual communities. These programmes are provided by various non-profit organisations and are often tailored to specific geographical areas or types of cancer. Accessing these freebies typically requires direct contact with the providing organisation, often through an online request form or by mail. Eligibility and availability vary, so individuals should check the specific requirements of each programme. The listed organisations and services represent a resource for those seeking comfort and assistance during their treatment journey.