February 4th, 2017 -- As many families continue to face the daily chores of dealing with cancer, think about what you can do to make a difference for someone. Lending a helping hand, taking the time to listen or just a comforting hug can be a much needed act of kindness that is appreciated by both the afflicted and the caregiver. Words, deeds of support and love provide encouragement and comfort.
Here are a few suggestions of how YOU can help
• Provide meals that are easy to freeze or re-heat. Consider asking if there are any aversions or foods that should be avoided.
• Provide sources of entertainment: books, magazines, DVD’s, music
• Provide transportation to appointments or treatment
• Provide childcare if there are little ones around
• Take the dog for a walk, take a pet to the vet if needed
• Offer to pray with the afflicted and/or the caregiver
• Help with paying bills
• Do a few loads of laundry, do the dishes, vacuum a room or two
• Send some flowers to brighten the day (make sure that they do not irritate the person)
• Pay for a subscription to Netflix so there is a variety of TV shows, movies and documentaries to watch
• Gift the primary caregiver with some gift certificates to a spa, get a manicure/pedicure
• Take the caregiver out for dinner or to the movies
• Hire a cleaning person to come in every couple of weeks
• Call to say hello, and talk about something other than the cancer
• Work on a hobby together (but know when you have to call it quits)
If you have small children you can help to maintain a routine to keep life as normal as possible:
• Help their children with homework if you know they are struggling in school
• Offer to speak to teachers, principals or team coaches if that is needed
• Pick up or drop off at school
• Arrange play-dates at your house
• Offer to pick them up and drop them off for practice, game or afterschool activity
• Offer to drive the parent to the game and be prepared to leave early if need be
• Organize activities for the kids on staff professional development days
• Give those kids hugs
We can all do something to make a person’s life a little happier and ensure that the workload is a little lighter. Today is World Cancer Day. Let us find ways to give love, support and hope. We Can. I Can.
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