Make Them Feel Like A Kid: Care Packages For Kids With Cancer

As mentioned before, my brother Andy is a cancer survivor. When he was in the hospital during preschool, he received gifts from people who wanted him to feel better. It definitely helped comfort him and gave him morale.I know many other children would appreciate something to help cheer them up.

Photo Credit: thesoldiersfamily.com

Some things you can include:

• Kids water bottle
• Books
• Music, video games, or other entertainment
• Stuffed Animals
• Hats, headbands, etc.
• Some sort of craft or activity kit
• Hand sanitizer
• Journals, coloring books and crayons
• Snacks, such as trail mix, fruit, etc.
• Gift cards
• A small soft blanket or scarf to drape over the shoulders
• A brightly colored kid-size neck pillow
• Cards
• If the family is religious, you can add something religious (we were Catholic at the time, so one of Andy's teachers gave him a blessed medallion).
• Socks
• Board or card games
• Pictures
• Banners, etc. A class at the school my mom taught at at the time dedicated a song to my brother at their music recital and videotaped it for him.

Additionally, you may want to put together a kit for the family.

• Meals are always  welcome. It puts less stress on the parents
• Although not necessarily physical, if you work with the parent of a cancer patient, you may be able to "donate" one of your sick/vacation days, depending on your employer's policies. This allows the parent to spend time with his or her child, and avoid leaving their child alone if he or she is in the hospital.
• From the point of view of a sibling, they are bound to feel neglected at this time. Including a note, or small toy, or other things would be appreciated and remind us that they are still noticed and cared about.
• Gift cards for parents to use, whether it be at the grocery store or elsewhere, will help when the parents are worried about how to pay the medical bills.
• Offer to watch the other children for an evening to let the parent(s) have a night to themselves.

I hope you decide to brighten up a patient and/or his or her family! You could give these packages to someone you know or drop them off at a cancer center at a hospital near you.