A lady from my breast cancer support group nominated me for The Inspirational Survivor award for a local breast cancer charity and I got chosen. She had to write a letter telling me why I was an inspiration and she said some wonderful things about me; I paid her a lot to say them, just kidding.
The letter mentioned how we had adopted our three kids, how my husband had battled cancer first and then I did and how we were making gift bags for cancer patients as they were completing their treatments. The bags were nothing fancy just a little gift bag with a certificate celebrating completing chemo or radiation, a coffee cup and some candies in it but it did make a bit of difference to some of the recipients. We had received calls from people who received the bags thanking us for them, telling us how much it meant for someone to celebrate their completion with them.
I would love to take credit for the gift bag idea but one of my customers who is also a friend put together this wonderful gift pack that had a glass carved award that recognized the accomplishment of finishing chemo with grace, dignity and the fight I am giving cancer. There were other things in the pack they sent me but that award made me cry it was wonderful to feel like I was doing something to kick cancer in the back side and was accomplishing something.
I mention this because of how it made me feel and if you are a friend or loved one of someone fighting cancer celebrate with them the accomplishments of finishing each stage of treatment. Let them know that you know they are fighting hard to beat this horrible disease. It does not need to be a glass award it could be as simple as a note or card (hand written so they can keep it forever) telling them you are proud of them. Trust me it means the world, five years later that award is still on my desk and it brings tears to me when I read it still.