HOW TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF CANCER PATIENTS
Updated: Apr 26
In the United Kingdom, a new person is diagnosed with cancer every 2 minutes. Cancer can be a challenge for people living with the condition and their loved ones. Wanting to help but not knowing where to start is normal. Here are some concrete steps you can take toward improving the lives of those living with cancer.
LEARN ABOUT COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES
Complementary therapies can be a useful tool in the battle with cancer. Medical treatments can take a toll on cancer patients, and many turn to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for pain and stress relief. You can become a qualified CAM practitioner by becoming certified in massage therapy, homeopathy, yoga, or reflexology. There are many more alternative therapies you could train in, and some might even turn into a worthwhile career option.
SHOW YOU CARE WITH A GIFT
Sometimes the best way of showing someone how much you care is by getting them a thoughtful gift. Having someone who actively tries to make their lives brighter can help cancer patients better cope with challenges.
Offer them a pamper session. A gift card for a spa day or a massage service in London won’t go amiss.
Buy them some lovely new pajamas. Having comfortable clothing can make frequent hospital visits easier to bear.
Send them flowers. Receiving a nice bouquet can improve anyone’s mood. You can even order flowers online and customize your gift based on your loved one’s likes.
Pay for a cleaning service. When dealing with cancer, taking care of household chores is the last thing a person needs.
When you know someone who's living with cancer, a simple gesture can let them know you’re there for them.
DONATE YOUR SPARE TIME
If you have a few spare hours a week, you can help by getting involved with local charities. Not only will it turn you into a valuable member of the community, but donating your time can improve your self-esteem There are many organizations and roles you can take on, including working the tills in a charity shop, assisting in fundraising events, and providing direct support to people battling cancer.
START A NONPROFIT
Starting a nonprofit to help people living with cancer is an ambitious but rewarding undertaking. An advantage of having your own nonprofit is that it will enable you to apply for public grants and funding. However, there are a couple of practical issues to consider before going down this route.
Be clear about how you’ll operate your organization. Setting up a charity takes a lot of work and research. You need to decide beforehand on a clear list of rules to include regarding conflicts of interest, who governs the organization, how board members are chosen, and the frequency of board meetings.
Be organized with your finances. Organizing your financial details is an important part of running a nonprofit. A good accounting program can facilitate tracking income and donations, and help you create custom reports. Finding a PDF editor online is also crucial for better recordkeeping. You can keep files more organized this way as a good tool allows for the consolidation of multiple files into one, adding or removing pages, and more.
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Cancer is a difficult topic for most people. Luckily, even if you're not directly affected, you can be a part of the solution and make someone’s life just a little bit easier. Learn more well-being tips on the Zen Habits Blog.
This article was written by Jason Lewis
