Give InKind’s support pages help answer the central question of how to give or receive support. Here, we consider how to set up a Give InKind page for someone who has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Getting Started
Any cancer diagnosis is frightening. The path of anyone in treatment is going to be very different. This guide is intended to serve only as a starting point to frame how a caring community can provide effective and sustained coordinated support. Begin by asking the newly diagnosed person what they need. If it is useful, consider identifying a well-placed third party (a sister, for example), to tease out issues that may feel difficult to address (see a sample Give InKind Support Page for Someone Diagnosed With Breast Cancer).
Care Calendar
The family situation of newly-diagnosed will frame a starting point for discussion. If the person has child/ren, the logistics of kids – even if they are older – will enter into planning. If a newly diagnosed person is working and needs to take a leave, she may need to contend with lost wages. If your recipient is involved in the care of older parents, this reality will need to be addressed as well. Use the Care Calendar to add as many actionable items as are necessary to provide comprehensive support.
- Food: Meals and groceries are always among the most popular calendar items. Providing food to people in treatment is difficult, as some treatments may cause nausea. Your recipient may have variable appetites and/or strong (and changeable) food aversions. For this reason, if the patient is single, consider setting up a Gift Card Train that includes options for takeout so that your recipient can choose what they can stomach that day. If she has a family, focus on providing food for them, rather than your primary recipient. Always mindful of any food allergies, preferences, or aversions.
- Childcare: (If applicable) If a parent is receiving treatment and there are older children at home, consider their obligations. This is helpful to a parent, because a student-athlete, for example, will need to get to various tournaments. Things like this are important to the mental health of both parent and child.
- Adult/Senior Care: If the newly diagnosed has aging parents, they may need a little attention too. Make sure that prescription refills, rides to/from doctor appointments, or getting to/from religious services are integrated.
- Pet Care: (If applicable) Are there pets to care for? It may be helpful to make temporary arrangements for necessary dog walks, feedings, or pet-sitting.
- Home Services: From maintenance appointments to helping with chores around the house, use this category for any home services that they may feel like too much. In particular, consider laundry services, house cleaning, etc.
- Other: “Other" is the ultimate catch-all category. This is a great way to create opportunities for connection that can sometimes get lost in the shuffle of a crisis. “Other" can be used for general support such as movie nights that are fun (either remote or in-person) or other less-fun (but still necessary) things like excursions to the pharmacy to pick up a round of supplements not covered by insurance, trips to the doctor, or an in-home spa day.
Fundraising
People will have different financial circumstances. Make sure to identify a person who will be able to ask about this in a gentle and non-judgmental manner. Underscore that people understand that few American households are equipped to shoulder the medical debt that quickly adds up. If there is such a need, simply enable the fundraising button on your Give InKind page and connect your PayPal and/or GoFundMe account.
Wishlist
The Give InKind Wishlist is another opportunity for others to meaningfully support a person receiving treatment for breast cancer. Browse Give InKind’s curated list for suggested items that could help in their unique situation. In addition to take-out, you can include other more non-tradtional gift cards as well. When you see an item that could be helpful, use the “+" icon to add to their Wishlist.
You may also add an existing Amazon Wishlist to your Give InKind page.
Communication Preferences
Use Give InKind’s do-not-disturb section to let others know about the recipient’s communication preferences. Keep in mind that these preferences can be easily turned on or off as a situation changes.
- Phone Calls: Does the recipient want to communicate with others? If so, what is the best way for others to reach out – a phone call or text? Asking about preferences lets them know they are being thought of even if they aren’t always up for talking.
- Visitors: Does the recipient want visitors? If so, when?
- Flowers: Is the recipient open to receiving flowers? In this circumstance, flowers (while nice) may not be what is really needed. This will depend upon the recipient so go ahead and ask.
Updates
Add unlimited updates to keep friends and family informed. This is a great place for a designated page manager to keep family and friends up to date or for the recipient to “blog" or “journal" their experience.
Facing cancer is a frightening experience. So this is to serve as gentle encouragement and a way to offer help without feeling intrusive. People will advise you of the parameters of their comfort level in terms of support. In any circumstance, they deeply appreciate offers of assistance. Create your Give InKind Support Page here.
If you have any further questions, visit Give InKind’s Help Center or view our helpful articles about how to support people coping with a breast cancer diagnosis.
Give InKind does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We have an affiliate relationship with many of the advertisers on our site, and may receive a commission from any products purchased from links in this article. See Terms & Conditions.