| Way to Make a Difference |
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If your friend or loved one has cancer |
People with cancer often have to spend a lot of time dealing with medical and treatment appointments. It may be hard to find time and energy to do the everyday things they need and want to do. However, many patients are reluctant to ask for help, even when others sincerely offer, "Call me if you need anything!" It is best to be specific in your offer to help, suggesting one or two things that you can and would like to do. Here are some of the many ways in which you can demonstrate your support:
- Help clean the house.
- Babysit the kids.
- Care for their animals.
- Make meals that can be frozen and easily reheated for the whole family.
- Run errands: go grocery shopping, pick up dry cleaning.
- Organize a prayer circle.
- Lend a copy of your favorite book or CD.
- Give a gift certificate for a massage.
- Provide gift certificates for takeout food.
- Send a card.
- Help with yard work or shoveling snow.
- Take the kids to the movies or on an outing.
- Help the kids with school projects or homework.
- Accompany your friend to treatment.
- Rent a comedy or video and watch it with your friend.
- Read Share the Care: How to Organize a Group to Care for Someone Who is Seriously Ill, by Cappy Capossela and Sheila Warnock. New York: Fireside Books (Simon & Schuster, 1995).
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