Gift Giving for Breast Cancer Patients and Their Families
Did you know that each year, 182,000 women are diagnosed with
breast cancer and 43,300 die? One woman in eight either has or will
develop breast cancer in her lifetime. In addition, 1,600 men will
be diagnosed with breast cancer and 400 will die this year.
The above statistics are scary to say the least. If you have
loved ones or friends that have been diagnosed with breast cancer,
I am sure you've often wondered what, if anything, you can do to
help them.
Here are some gifts that are appropriate for cancer patients,
and their families to give encouragement, and support.
Probably one of the most important gifts you can offer, is
the gift of your time: time to listen, and time to be with them
as they accept the fact that they have cancer, and go through their
treatment.
A small journal is another idea: they can put on paper
their thoughts, their struggles, and their accomplishments as they
fight this battle.
A book of inspiring, encouraging words will do wonders for their
soul. One suggestion would be
Chicken Soup for the Surviving Soul: 101 Stories of Courage and Inspiration from Those Who
Have Survived Cancer.
Don't forget a nice teddy bear they can hug, and a CD of
soft, comforting, music.
Some cancer patients develop sensitivity to fragrance, so please
stay away from scented items.
Again, remember that at times, all they need is to have
someone to talk to, or hold their hand: be there for them!
For your information:
If detected early, the five-year survival rate
for breast cancer exceeds 95%. Mammograms are among the best early detection methods,
yet 13 million U.S. women 40 years of age or older have never had a
mammogram.
Don't miss your mammogram this year. Several national
organizations will have a list of the facilities that participate
in National Mammography Day. To find a place near you, call:
American Cancer Society
1-800-ACS-2345
The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
1-800-IM-AWARE
National Alliance of Breast Cancer Organizations (NABCO)
1-888-80-NABCO
National Cancer Institute
1-800-4-CANCER
Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization
1-800-221-2141
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