Cancer is no fun, plain and simple. What is fun? Free things. And if you have cancer, it’s nice to get some free things just for being part of this club you never asked to join.
I’ve scoured the interwebs, my own connections and my trusty go-to resources I always recommend to people with cancer and developed this list of free gifts for cancer patients. All information is current as of April 2023, and it will be updated when I learn of a new resource.
Please note:
1) This list does not include organizations that provide educational resources such as brochures or other handouts. There are far too many of those to include in a list like this.
2) I am in the process of making other guides (and will update the list below with links as soon as they’re done) for:
– Freebies for kids with cancer
– Free things for AYAs (adolescents and young adults) with cancer
– Financial resources for people with cancer
– Lodging and travel assistance for people with cancer
– Retreats / camps for both kids and adults
So let’s get to it! Click on the links in the Table of Contents to go directly to that section. The hyperlinked text for each listing is where you’ll go to connect with that website to request the items.
A hyperlinked PDF file of this post is available in our resource library for those that would rather have something to download and refer back to.
Finally, if you have a resource to recommend, leave a comment below or contact me and I’ll get it added to the list.
Cancer is no fun, plain and simple. What is fun? Free things. And if you have cancer, it’s nice to get some free things just for being part of this club you never asked to join.
I’ve scoured the interwebs, my own connections and my trusty go-to resources I always recommend to people with cancer and developed this list of free gifts for cancer patients. All information is current as of April 2023, and it will be updated when I learn of a new resource.
Please note:
1) This list does not include organizations that provide educational resources such as brochures or other handouts. There are far too many of those to include in a list like this.
2) I am in the process of making other guides (and will update the list below with links as soon as they’re done) for:
– Freebies for kids with cancer
– Free things for AYAs (adolescents and young adults) with cancer
– Financial resources for people with cancer
– Lodging and travel assistance for people with cancer
– Retreats / camps for both kids and adults
So let’s get to it! Click on the links in the Table of Contents to go directly to that section. The hyperlinked text for each listing is where you’ll go to connect with that website to request the items.
A hyperlinked PDF file of this post is available in our resource library for those that would rather have something to download and refer back to.
Finally, if you have a resource to recommend, leave a comment below or contact me and I’ll get it added to the list.
Table of Contents
Free Gifts for Cancer Patients
Blankets
Project Chemo Crochet – provides free handmade crocheted blankets to all cancer patients regardless of cancer type to serve as an important reminder that no one fights alone.
Breast Prosthetics
Awesome Breast Forms – provides 100% cotton, knitted or crocheted breast forms. You can select a single form or a set, the color and cup size, and it will be made by volunteers specifically for you.
Knitted Knockers – provides special handmade breast prostheses. These can even be adapted for those going through reconstructions by simply removing some of the stuffing.
Career Assistance
Cancer and Careers – provides cancer patients and survivors with free resume feedback and a job search toolkit.
Care Packages
Amazing Grace Organization – personalized care packages and experiences designed to offer entertainment and comfort while encouraging hope and strength.
Battle Cap Project Battle Kits – provides a care package for anyone battling cancer. Note: there are a maximum of 30 requests filled each month, so you may want to place your request at the beginning of the month.
CancerXRelief Care Package – part of the Nguyen Memorial Cancer Relief Foundation, this teen-led organization customizes care packages to the receiver’s interests and includes a hand-written card.
Gracie’s Foundation – provides a free ‘Gracie’s gift’ to any woman battling any type of cancer.
HeadStrong Foundation Care Package – this care kit includes thoughtfully chosen items that are helpful for those going through cancer treatment. Note: this program operates on a first come, first serve basis with limited numbers of kits available each month.
Ignite Hope Candle Care Package – free candle care package, with messages of hope, love and support hidden throughout the wax. Note: If you have fragrance sensitivities, an alternative care package will be provided.
Kick Can’t-cer Care Package – part of My Style Matters, these care kits include personal care and household items along with organic and non-GMO snacks and beverages.
Kindness Campaign – gift baskets for U.S. military veterans with cancer.
Lisa’s Army Signature Comfort Care Package – personalized comfort care packages are filled with an inspirational card, personal care items, an Apple iPad or BEATs Headphones, iTunes gift card, journals, pens and/or other items to make the patient as comfortable as possible during treatment. Note: this form must be printed and completed with your doctor, social worker or nurse navigator and then scanned/emailed/mailed to the organization.
Luminaries Care Package – provides six hand-picked care packages across the one-year program to help you focus on thriving after a cancer diagnosis.
Phil’s Friends – provides support and hope through hand-assembled care packages filled with comfort items specifically selected for those facing cancer.
Tenaciously Teal – offers specialized care packs for men, women, and children currently in treatment for cancer. Each care pack is filled with day-to-day items cancer fighters have found helpful, along with a handwritten note of encouragement.
United Cancer Support Foundation – free, personalized care packages that provide relaxation and comfort for those in active treatment. Note: this program is not available in the following states: Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, and Utah.
Clothing
Caring Shirts – provides free shirts that are altered to open on the sides or top to better accommodate ports, picc lines, etc.
Patients into People Hospital Gowns – provides a free, cheerful new hospital gown to brighten days spent in the hospital.
Hallie Strong Care Package – provides comfort and fun during chemo with comfy socks, sent in loving memory of Hallie, the founders’ daughter they lost to cancer.
Head Coverings / Scarves
Battle Cap Project – custom made crocheted caps and care packages for anyone battling cancer. Note there are a maximum of 30 requests filled each month, so you may want to place your request at the beginning of the month.
Courage for the Soul – provides a free scarf along with a message of courage for those currently undergoing treatment.
Good Wishes – sends out a free wrap or a beautiful scarf to anyone experiencing hair loss as a result of illness.
Hope Scarves – collects and sends out scarves to women in active treatment. Each recipient of a Hope Scarf receives a cancer survivor’s story. When you’re done with it, return the scarf with your own message to pass along in what they call The Sisterhood of Traveling Scarves.
Heavenly Hats – offers brand new hats of all kinds to provide warmth, comfort, courage, and strength. Since 2001 they’ve distributed more than 4.5 million brand new hats to individuals and hospitals.
Knots of Love Beanies – provides hand knit or crocheted beanies to those currently in treatment.
The Turban Project – provides free headwear to those who have lost their hair due to a medical condition. View the photo gallery on their site and select from a turban, courage cap, beanie, or crochet/knitted hat.
Haircuts
Great Clips’ Clips of Kindness program provides complimentary clipper cuts to customers facing hair loss due to cancer treatment. Available at all Great Clips salons in the U.S. and Canada.
Housecleaning
Cleaning for a Reason – Provides free housecleaning for those undergoing cancer treatment. When matched with a cleaning company, a patient receives a total of two free home cleanings, one per month for two months.
Encouraging Cards
Card Care Connection – sends thoughtful, handmade cards with a personal message that can be received one time, or ongoing throughout treatment.
Chemo Angels – this program pairs cancer patients in active IV chemotherapy or intensive immunotherapy treatment with two volunteers who will support you through your journey with cards and possibly occasional small, inexpensive gifts.
Send a Smile Today – provides hope, love and support through inspirational greeting cards mailed monthly to any cancer patient of any age with any type of cancer living anywhere in the United States.
Exercise / Physical Training
Cancer Pathways Online Gentle Yoga Class – free weekly yoga classes via Zoom for anyone affected by cancer.
Hope Connections for Cancer Support – offers free online exercise classes for cancer patients and caregivers aged 18 and older. Classes include yoga, Pilates and Tai-Chi.
Lending Hearts – provides free virtual wellness programs for USA-based cancer patients. Classes include yoga, mindfulness & relaxation, and nutrition.
Life With Cancer – free online exercise, nutrition, and education programs. Examples include mindfulness, yoga, Zumba, and body conditioning.
Livestrong at the YMCA – these two organizations have partnered to offer free (sometimes low-cost) physical training for cancer survivors (not in active treatment). Programs are provided with a physical trainer over 12 weeks and are personalized to each survivors’ specific needs. Contact your local YMCA to see if this program is offered near you.
Maple Tree Cancer Alliance – offers live virtual exercise classes tailored to your needs and the available exercise equipment you have in your home. Also has an extensive library of on-demand classes.
Moving for Life Online Exercise Program – offers virtual exercise classes daily, including stretching, meditative movement, and dance exercise classes for a different fitness levels.
Wellness House – Offers free online exercise classes including yoga, bodyweight exercises, and Tai Chi for cancer patients. All abilities are welcome. Also offers free in-person classes in Hinsdale, IL.
Faith-Based (Christian)
Courage Through Cancer – care packages are available for those currently undergoing treatment and includes a soft knit hat, a bible, personalized notes of encouragement, and more.
Endurance Care Kit – a free collection of inspirational, faith-based books that offer messages of hope, encouragement, and love for the journey. Available to physical mailing addresses within the U.S.A. (no PO Boxes).
Stronghold Ministry – provides a free tote and faith-based bookmarks and books written by stage IV cancer survivors along with a gift card and wristband.
The Lydia Project – provides a tote that includes an inspirational journal, lotion, and other supportive items for any woman in the U.S.A. currently facing cancer. Items are hand-delivered to those in the Augusta, GA area. If you’re outside of Augusta, they ask that you cover the cost of shipping. However, if you cannot afford the shipping cost, let them know.
Radiant Hope – Provides a package to bring a vision of hope in the impossible, including a water bottle, journal, candy, bible verse cards, lip balm, and other fun and uplifting items. Each package is prayed over before being sent to the recipient.
Fertility Preservation
Walgreen’s Heartbeat Program – along with Ferring Pharmaceuticals provides women who have not started cancer treatment with fertility preservation medication at no cost.
Food / Nutrition
Cancer Nutrition Consortium – provides nutritional Carepacks for anyone in the U.S. currently undergoing cancer treatments. Each Carepack includes 3 ready-to-eat meals, 3 protein shakes, whey protein powder and a protein powder shaker.
Fred Hutch Cook for Your Life – Cook for Your Life offers an ever-expanding collection of recipes, instructional cooking videos, and science-based nutrition and health information in both English and Spanish – all adhering to standards established by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Lasagna Love – partners with local chefs and neighbors to provide a home-cooked lasagna or main dish to your family.
PearlPoint Nutrition Counseling – provides patients and caregivers a free one on one nutrition consultation with a registered oncology dietician.
Items for Kids (Whose Parent has Cancer)
Bright Box Art Kit – Includes six fun art projects for children under 10 and is designed to help parents who are undergoing treatment to have engaging, yet easy to do activities for their kids. The kit includes all the needed materials. One box is provided per family.
Bright Reads Free Book Program – provides up to four free books for children whose parent is going through cancer treatments. Has a long list of available books with descriptions to help you decide which might be most appropriate for your kids.
Camp Kesem – free, week-long overnight summer camp experience for kids 6 – 18 who are impacted by a parent’s cancer. They also have Kesem chapters at colleges and universities across the nation where they have student leader volunteers for local events and support.
Sharsheret Busy Box – each Busy Box includes resource materials to educate parents about the impact of breast and ovarian cancer or prophylactic surgery on children. The Busy Box also features a starter kit of games and activities to occupy your children while you are at the doctor or resting after surgery or treatment.
Jewelry
Chemocessories – provides unique sets of scarves, turbans, and jewelry to women going through treatment with the intent to lift spirits, boost confidence, and provide a smile.
Legal Assistance
Patient Advocate Foundation – provides legal counseling and education to cancer patients about legal issues that relate to their diagnosis such as discrimination, insurance, and financial issues.
Triage Cancer – free educational materials about the practical and legal issues that arise after a cancer diagnosis.
Lymphedema Alert Band
Peninsula BioMedical – Prior to any medical procedure, it is imperative that patients with lymphedema or at risk to develop lymphedema, have a mechanism to alert medical professionals of their condition. They will send, at no charge, an alert band to any patient with or at risk of developing lymphedema. The band will accommodate up to 9 1/2 inches/24 centimeters. If your extremity is larger than this, please indicate the circumference of your ankle or wrist so that we can provide extra bands that snap together to accommodate a larger circumference. If two extremities are involved, please indicate this so that two bands can be sent.
Magazines
Conquer Magazine – six issues (one free year) of Conquer Magazine, which addresses issues important to patients, family members and caregivers, including access to care, nutrition, stress management, personal finance, and legal and employer issues along with interviews with patients and survivors.
CURE – Cure: Cancer Updates, Research and Education is a quarterly magazine for patients, survivors and caregivers that provides access to leading resources and information that serves as a guide to every stage of the cancer experience.
Medical Equipment
Fleener Family Foundation + Warrior Cold Caps – provides cold cap rental packages at no charge for those in active chemotherapy treatment and who demonstrate financial need (must earn less than 300% of the federal poverty level to be eligible.)
Friends of Ostomates Worldwide – USA – receives donated ostomy supplies and sends them at no cost to those in need.
Kindred Box – provides ostomy equipment for uninsured and under-insured individuals across the U.S.
Liberator Medical – provides free samples of urinary catheters and ostomy supplies and when you decide which products work best for you, they bill your insurance directly.
Steps of Faith – provides prosthetic limbs to uninsured and under-insured amputees to restore their livelihood.
The Wheelchair Project – provides wheelchairs to those in need. Also accepts donations of gently used wheelchairs.
Photography Services
Memories Live – experienced filmmakers work with patients and families to create a priceless, heartfelt movie to preserve precious memories of those with a serious life-threatening illness.
The F.I.L.M. Project – offers free professional family portraits for those faced with a life-threatening illness, including cancer.
Skincare / Makeup
Bethesda Skincare – in honor of the founder’s sister, Melanie, this company provides one free bar of their Sun and Shield soap with patented sun protection technology to cancer patients. Must email your name, address, and type of cancer you have to themelaniepolicy@bethesdaskincare.com with “The Melanie Policy” in the subject line.
Spa Services
Diva for a Day – women currently in treatment for cancer, are less than six months out from finishing treatment, or women who have stage 4 cancer at any place in their journey receive a day at a participating salon that includes massage, facial, manicure, pedicure, makeup, shampoo and style. A local restaurant provides lunch.
Travel / Adventure
Dolphins Plus – Dolphins Plus in Key Largo, FL offers a free, hands-on, swim with the dolphins session for cancer patients and survivors.
Dream Foundation – an adult make-a-wish organization for those with a life-limiting diagnosis, with a life expectancy of 12 months or less. Dreams provided have include travel to see family, a final beach vacation, meeting sports figures and wedding vow renewal ceremonies.
Epic Experience – provides free week-long adventure camps in Colorado for adult cancer survivors and thrivers. Summer camps include whitewater rafting, kayaking and hiking. Winter camps involve cross country skiing, snowshoeing and sledding.
Jack & Jill Late-Stage Cancer Foundation – provides WOW! Experiences for families with at least one child between the ages of 3 and 18 who have a parent with late-stage cancer with a life expectancy of 6 to 12 months. Recipients must be referred by their oncologist.
Reel Recovery – free fly-fishing retreats for men living with all types of cancer.
Sail Beyond Cancer – offers 3-hour private sailing excursions for a cancer patient and up to five friends/loved ones. Sails take place from late May through October, weather permitting. Currently has chapters in Annapolis, MD, Burlington, VT, and North Shore, MA.
Sailing Heals – provides a rejuvenating day at sea for patients and caregivers navigating cancer. Sails typically take place in MA, but sometimes in NY, RI and FL.
Waves of Grace – provides an all-expense-paid week at the beach, in the Smoky Mountains, or at Disney World. Applications must be completed by the oncology team and submitted directly to rest@wavesofgrace.org
Weddings / Vow Renewals
Wish Upon a Wedding – provides free weddings and vow renewals for couples facing terminal illness and serious life-altering circumstances. Includes the dress, venue, photographer, food, cake and more.
Wigs
Angel Hair Inc. – provides 100% no cost wigs to women suffering hair loss due to cancer drugs and/or treatments.
Ebeauty Community – Provides free wigs for cancer patients (application requires a letter from your doctor, social worker, nurse, or nurse navigator). They also accept wig donations.
National Wigs for Cancer Society – partners with local salons to order and customize wigs through cuts, color, and style. They work with your insurance company to pay for the wig, or they have a network of donors to help ensure you pay little to nothing for your specialty wig.
The Butterfly Club – provides a wig and styling at no cost to teens and adult women across the United States.
The Pink Wig Project – provides a fun, sassy pink wig at no cost to women in the U.S.A. who are in active cancer treatment.
Verma Foundation – provides comfortable, breathable cap wigs with 100% human hair attached to cancer patients in financial need. Caps are lined with soft material to protect itchy and sensitive scalps.
Wigs & Wishes – partners with salons around the nation for fittings where you select the wig you like and the salon orders it for you at no charge.
Pay for Shipping Only
While the contents of these items are free, these organizations ask that you pay for shipping.
Beloved Foundation – provides a care kit that includes an activity book, Biotene, a journal, lip balm, socks, and tea. Care kits are free for California residents; others pay $14.95 for shipping and handling.
Fight Club Survivor – sends a surprise comfort kit to breast cancer patients. $11.11 for shipping.
Kits to Heart – provides customizable kits that include a reusable water bottle, handwritten cards, journal, face masks, heart pillow, lip balm, ginger chews, hand and body cream and more.
Oley Foundation – Connects families in need of enteral formula, tubing and other supplies with families who have items to donate. Submit a request and an Oley Foundation rep will be in touch when they’ve found someone with those items to donate. You’ll need to pay for shipping for the supplies. Note this is not for urgent needs – items are not guaranteed, and it may take up to 2 weeks to receive items once connected with a donor.
YANA Cancer Comfort – an inspirational care package that includes a warm fleece blanket, a handmade cap, a devotional and a handwritten note with a personal message of hope. $25 for shipping costs.
Location Specific Freebies
Arkansas
Faith Support Ministry – provides a free monogrammed blanket and an inspirational CD for Arkansans currently in cancer treatment.
California
Los Angeles:
Helen’s Room – provides resources for lower-income or uninsured women in cancer treatment, including hats, scarves, turbans and wigs, breast prostheses, mastectomy bras, educational books and videos.
San Francisco Bay Area
CARE Kits – these kids address a variety of needs related to cancer treatment, survivorship and caring for someone impacted by cancer. Kits include items that may be needed for appointments, such as hand sanitizer, tissues, notebook and pens, and comfort and support items such as hats and port pillows made and donated by members of the community. You can request either a patient/survivor CARE Kit or a caregiver CARE Kit.
Illinois
Christmas Without Cancer – now expanded to year-round support, this organization provides holiday gifts and basic necessities to Illinois residents who are currently undergoing cancer treatment at a location within a 30-mile radius of Oak Lawn, IL.
Massachusetts
Ovations for the Cure Helping Hands Program – provides free healthy and easy to prepare meals to patients currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment.
New York
Lucia’s Angels – licensed massage therapists provide three ½ hour massages to women diagnosed with breast and gynecological cancers. They also offer Pink Ribbon bags filled with educational information, resources, and self-care items.
Ohio
Yellow Brick Place – offers wigs along with other head coverings, scarves, jewelry and other accessories for anyone battling cancer in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties. Their ‘Your Beauty Program’ teaches clients makeup and skincare tips to manage the hair loss and skin changes from cancer and its treatment. Participants receive a beauty bag with new makeup, tools and additional beauty products free of charge. Locally made port pillows and knitted knockers prostheses are also available at no cost.
Chris Collinsworth ProScan Fund – Pink Ribbon Bags – available to women in the greater Cincinnati area newly diagnosed with breast cancer, this gift bag is filled with inspirational books, educational materials and other comforting items designed to bring hope to a woman as she begins her healing journey.
Oregon / SW Washington
Breast Friends Brave and Beautiful Program – provides a free professional photography session to breast cancer patients.
Pennsylvania
PA Breast Cancer Coalition Friends Like Me Care Packages – offers two types of care packages: one for those who received a breast cancer diagnosis within the last six months, and those with a metastatic breast cancer diagnosis. Each customized box contains resources, small gifts, cosmetics, and a reminder that you are not alone.
Radiant Hope – beautiful gift boxes are filled with items to be uplifting and to bring a vision of HOPE. Packages include a water bottle, journal, candy, verse cards, Chapstick and other fun and uplifting items. Each package is prayed over for the recipient before it is sent out.
Cumberland Valley (serves Western MD, the Eastern Panhandle of WV, and Southern PA)
Breast Cancer Awareness of Cumberland Valley – provides:
- ‘After Surgery Heart Pillows’ for newly diagnosed breast cancer patients
- Restaurant and grocery store gift cards for breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment
- A free one-time, two hour house cleaning for breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy
- Wigs, scarves, and hats are available for free for any woman going through chemotherapy (not just breast cancer patients)
- The Angel Program is where volunteers send weekly cards/notes and small gifts to breast cancer patients while they’re going through treatment.
Tennessee
Knoxville
United Cancer Support Foundation – provides recliners for East Tennessee cancer patients to help the patient relax, as well as provide improved blood circulation in the legs, alleviate back pain and problems with nausea sometimes caused by chemotherapy. Note: these new recliners are PICK UP ONLY. You must provide a truck or van with at least two people to move the recliner on the scheduled pick up date.
Texas
Austin
Ballet Austin Pink Pilates Program – free post-operative Pilates workouts for breast cancer survivors.
CareBOX Program – available to anyone receiving cancer treatment in the greater Austin area of Travis, Hays, Bastrop, Caldwell, Burnet and Williamson counties. Select items from their current product list and have these free essential care supplies delivered directly to your door. One box can be requested every three months.
Washington, D.C.
Food and Friends – provides home delivered medically tailored meals and nutrition therapy to people living with cancer, HIV/AIDS, and other serious illnesses.
Disease-Specific Gifts
These items are just for those diagnosed with the specific type of cancer listed.
Breast Cancer
Blessing Box Project – provides a drain shirt, mastectomy pillow, and extra surprises. Heart pillows and port pillows are also available at no cost upon request.
Boxes of Hope – provides comfort care packages, mastectomy pillows, mastectomy drain aprons, fabric face masks and hats to those currently in treatment for breast cancer.
Casting for Recovery – provides free 2 ½ day fly fishing retreats for women with breast cancer at any stage of their journey.
Fight through Flights – empowers and supports the healing of Black women living with breast cancer and breast cancer survivors by providing free wellness retreats, travel experiences, mental health, nutrition, and fitness resources.
Little Pink Houses of Hope – provides week-long vacations for breast cancer patients (or those who have completed treatment within the previous 12 months) and their families. They offer retreats across the United States for singles, couples, and families.
National Breast Cancer Foundation HOPE Kits – kits for women undergoing breast cancer treatment that include fuzzy socks, a tumbler, tea, a product from Thrive Causemetics ™, unscented lotion, lip balm, HOPE journal and pen, inspirational bracelet and educational resources.
- Simply Fight Program for breast cancer patients stages 0-3 provides healthy meals, rides to treatment, housecleaning essentials, peer support and education.
- No Age No Stage program is for stage 4 breast cancer patients and extends the Simply Fight Program for a longer period of time.
Pockets of Hope – provides mastectomy hoodies to women undergoing treatment.
Sharsheret Survivor Kit – customizable kit that includes information on health and nutrition, an exercise stretch band, cookbook and printed resources.
Tutu Project Tutu Cheer Package – a maximum of five packages per month are sent out by this organization to breast cancer patients that include a set of postcards from a survivor along with surprise treats.
Twisted Pink’s Box of Hope – Each Box of Hope contains breast cancer facts, resources, health and beauty items, and gifts of comfort that will bring hope and provide support to people diagnosed with breast cancer.
Gynecological Cancers
- Simply Fight Program for gynecological cancer patients stages 0-3 provides healthy meals, rides to treatment, housecleaning essentials, peer support and education.
- No Age No Stage program is for stage 4 gynecological cancer patients and extends the Simply Fight Program for a longer period of time.
Lung Cancer
Lung Cancer Research Foundation Care Kit – available for both lung cancer patients and caregivers, these tote bags are filled with personal care items and a copy of their Living with Hope book.
Ovarian Cancer
National Ovarian Cancer Coalition Faces of Hope Kit – provides educational information along with comfort items chosen by survivors to provide hope, inspiration and support. Select from a Newly Diagnosed Kit or a Recurrent Kit.
National Ovarian Cancer Coalition Teal Comfort for the Soul – provides quality prepared food and delivers it weekly to your doorstep.
Ovations for the Cure – provides an Ovations butterfly bangle to ovarian cancer patients and survivors.
Sharsheret Survivor Kit – customizable kit that includes information on health and nutrition, an exercise stretch band, cookbook and printed resources.
Pancreatic Cancer
Project Purple – provides helpful information for newly diagnosed pancreatic cancer patients along with a Blanket of Hope.
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Table of Contents
Free Gifts for Cancer Patients
Blankets
Project Chemo Crochet – provides free handmade crocheted blankets to all cancer patients regardless of cancer type to serve as an important reminder that no one fights alone.
Breast Prosthetics
Awesome Breast Forms – provides 100% cotton, knitted or crocheted breast forms. You can select a single form or a set, the color and cup size, and it will be made by volunteers specifically for you.
Knitted Knockers – provides special handmade breast prostheses. These can even be adapted for those going through reconstructions by simply removing some of the stuffing.
Career Assistance
Cancer and Careers – provides cancer patients and survivors with free resume feedback and a job search toolkit.
Care Packages
Amazing Grace Organization – personalized care packages and experiences designed to offer entertainment and comfort while encouraging hope and strength.
Battle Cap Project Battle Kits – provides a care package for anyone battling cancer. Note: there are a maximum of 30 requests filled each month, so you may want to place your request at the beginning of the month.
CancerXRelief Care Package – part of the Nguyen Memorial Cancer Relief Foundation, this teen-led organization customizes care packages to the receiver’s interests and includes a hand-written card.
Gracie’s Foundation – provides a free ‘Gracie’s gift’ to any woman battling any type of cancer.
HeadStrong Foundation Care Package – this care kit includes thoughtfully chosen items that are helpful for those going through cancer treatment. Note: this program operates on a first come, first serve basis with limited numbers of kits available each month.
Ignite Hope Candle Care Package – free candle care package, with messages of hope, love and support hidden throughout the wax. Note: If you have fragrance sensitivities, an alternative care package will be provided.
Kick Can’t-cer Care Package – part of My Style Matters, these care kits include personal care and household items along with organic and non-GMO snacks and beverages.
Kindness Campaign – gift baskets for U.S. military veterans with cancer.
Lisa’s Army Signature Comfort Care Package – personalized comfort care packages are filled with an inspirational card, personal care items, an Apple iPad or BEATs Headphones, iTunes gift card, journals, pens and/or other items to make the patient as comfortable as possible during treatment. Note: this form must be printed and completed with your doctor, social worker or nurse navigator and then scanned/emailed/mailed to the organization.
Luminaries Care Package – provides six hand-picked care packages across the one-year program to help you focus on thriving after a cancer diagnosis.
Phil’s Friends – provides support and hope through hand-assembled care packages filled with comfort items specifically selected for those facing cancer.
Tenaciously Teal – offers specialized care packs for men, women, and children currently in treatment for cancer. Each care pack is filled with day-to-day items cancer fighters have found helpful, along with a handwritten note of encouragement.
United Cancer Support Foundation – free, personalized care packages that provide relaxation and comfort for those in active treatment. Note: this program is not available in the following states: Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, and Utah.
Clothing
Caring Shirts – provides free shirts that are altered to open on the sides or top to better accommodate ports, picc lines, etc.
Patients into People Hospital Gowns – provides a free, cheerful new hospital gown to brighten days spent in the hospital.
Hallie Strong Care Package – provides comfort and fun during chemo with comfy socks, sent in loving memory of Hallie, the founders’ daughter they lost to cancer.
Head Coverings / Scarves
Battle Cap Project – custom made crocheted caps and care packages for anyone battling cancer. Note there are a maximum of 30 requests filled each month, so you may want to place your request at the beginning of the month.
Courage for the Soul – provides a free scarf along with a message of courage for those currently undergoing treatment.
Good Wishes – sends out a free wrap or a beautiful scarf to anyone experiencing hair loss as a result of illness.
Hope Scarves – collects and sends out scarves to women in active treatment. Each recipient of a Hope Scarf receives a cancer survivor’s story. When you’re done with it, return the scarf with your own message to pass along in what they call The Sisterhood of Traveling Scarves.
Heavenly Hats – offers brand new hats of all kinds to provide warmth, comfort, courage, and strength. Since 2001 they’ve distributed more than 4.5 million brand new hats to individuals and hospitals.
Knots of Love Beanies – provides hand knit or crocheted beanies to those currently in treatment.
The Turban Project – provides free headwear to those who have lost their hair due to a medical condition. View the photo gallery on their site and select from a turban, courage cap, beanie, or crochet/knitted hat.
Haircuts
Great Clips’ Clips of Kindness program provides complimentary clipper cuts to customers facing hair loss due to cancer treatment. Available at all Great Clips salons in the U.S. and Canada.
Housecleaning
Cleaning for a Reason – Provides free housecleaning for those undergoing cancer treatment. When matched with a cleaning company, a patient receives a total of two free home cleanings, one per month for two months.
Encouraging Cards
Card Care Connection – sends thoughtful, handmade cards with a personal message that can be received one time, or ongoing throughout treatment.
Chemo Angels – this program pairs cancer patients in active IV chemotherapy or intensive immunotherapy treatment with two volunteers who will support you through your journey with cards and possibly occasional small, inexpensive gifts.
Send a Smile Today – provides hope, love and support through inspirational greeting cards mailed monthly to any cancer patient of any age with any type of cancer living anywhere in the United States.
Exercise / Physical Training
Cancer Pathways Online Gentle Yoga Class – free weekly yoga classes via Zoom for anyone affected by cancer.
Hope Connections for Cancer Support – offers free online exercise classes for cancer patients and caregivers aged 18 and older. Classes include yoga, Pilates and Tai-Chi.
Lending Hearts – provides free virtual wellness programs for USA-based cancer patients. Classes include yoga, mindfulness & relaxation, and nutrition.
Life With Cancer – free online exercise, nutrition, and education programs. Examples include mindfulness, yoga, Zumba, and body conditioning.
Livestrong at the YMCA – these two organizations have partnered to offer free (sometimes low-cost) physical training for cancer survivors (not in active treatment). Programs are provided with a physical trainer over 12 weeks and are personalized to each survivors’ specific needs. Contact your local YMCA to see if this program is offered near you.
Maple Tree Cancer Alliance – offers live virtual exercise classes tailored to your needs and the available exercise equipment you have in your home. Also has an extensive library of on-demand classes.
Moving for Life Online Exercise Program – offers virtual exercise classes daily, including stretching, meditative movement, and dance exercise classes for a different fitness levels.
Wellness House – Offers free online exercise classes including yoga, bodyweight exercises, and Tai Chi for cancer patients. All abilities are welcome. Also offers free in-person classes in Hinsdale, IL.
Faith-Based (Christian)
Courage Through Cancer – care packages are available for those currently undergoing treatment and includes a soft knit hat, a bible, personalized notes of encouragement, and more.
Endurance Care Kit – a free collection of inspirational, faith-based books that offer messages of hope, encouragement, and love for the journey. Available to physical mailing addresses within the U.S.A. (no PO Boxes).
Stronghold Ministry – provides a free tote and faith-based bookmarks and books written by stage IV cancer survivors along with a gift card and wristband.
The Lydia Project – provides a tote that includes an inspirational journal, lotion, and other supportive items for any woman in the U.S.A. currently facing cancer. Items are hand-delivered to those in the Augusta, GA area. If you’re outside of Augusta, they ask that you cover the cost of shipping. However, if you cannot afford the shipping cost, let them know.
Radiant Hope – Provides a package to bring a vision of hope in the impossible, including a water bottle, journal, candy, bible verse cards, lip balm, and other fun and uplifting items. Each package is prayed over before being sent to the recipient.
Fertility Preservation
Walgreen’s Heartbeat Program – along with Ferring Pharmaceuticals provides women who have not started cancer treatment with fertility preservation medication at no cost.
Food / Nutrition
Cancer Nutrition Consortium – provides nutritional Carepacks for anyone in the U.S. currently undergoing cancer treatments. Each Carepack includes 3 ready-to-eat meals, 3 protein shakes, whey protein powder and a protein powder shaker.
Fred Hutch Cook for Your Life – Cook for Your Life offers an ever-expanding collection of recipes, instructional cooking videos, and science-based nutrition and health information in both English and Spanish – all adhering to standards established by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Lasagna Love – partners with local chefs and neighbors to provide a home-cooked lasagna or main dish to your family.
PearlPoint Nutrition Counseling – provides patients and caregivers a free one on one nutrition consultation with a registered oncology dietician.
Items for Kids (Whose Parent has Cancer)
Bright Box Art Kit – Includes six fun art projects for children under 10 and is designed to help parents who are undergoing treatment to have engaging, yet easy to do activities for their kids. The kit includes all the needed materials. One box is provided per family.
Bright Reads Free Book Program – provides up to four free books for children whose parent is going through cancer treatments. Has a long list of available books with descriptions to help you decide which might be most appropriate for your kids.
Camp Kesem – free, week-long overnight summer camp experience for kids 6 – 18 who are impacted by a parent’s cancer. They also have Kesem chapters at colleges and universities across the nation where they have student leader volunteers for local events and support.
Sharsheret Busy Box – each Busy Box includes resource materials to educate parents about the impact of breast and ovarian cancer or prophylactic surgery on children. The Busy Box also features a starter kit of games and activities to occupy your children while you are at the doctor or resting after surgery or treatment.
Jewelry
Chemocessories – provides unique sets of scarves, turbans, and jewelry to women going through treatment with the intent to lift spirits, boost confidence, and provide a smile.
Legal Assistance
Patient Advocate Foundation – provides legal counseling and education to cancer patients about legal issues that relate to their diagnosis such as discrimination, insurance, and financial issues.
Triage Cancer – free educational materials about the practical and legal issues that arise after a cancer diagnosis.
Lymphedema Alert Band
Peninsula BioMedical – Prior to any medical procedure, it is imperative that patients with lymphedema or at risk to develop lymphedema, have a mechanism to alert medical professionals of their condition. They will send, at no charge, an alert band to any patient with or at risk of developing lymphedema. The band will accommodate up to 9 1/2 inches/24 centimeters. If your extremity is larger than this, please indicate the circumference of your ankle or wrist so that we can provide extra bands that snap together to accommodate a larger circumference. If two extremities are involved, please indicate this so that two bands can be sent.
Magazines
Conquer Magazine – six issues (one free year) of Conquer Magazine, which addresses issues important to patients, family members and caregivers, including access to care, nutrition, stress management, personal finance, and legal and employer issues along with interviews with patients and survivors.
CURE – Cure: Cancer Updates, Research and Education is a quarterly magazine for patients, survivors and caregivers that provides access to leading resources and information that serves as a guide to every stage of the cancer experience.
Medical Equipment
Fleener Family Foundation + Warrior Cold Caps – provides cold cap rental packages at no charge for those in active chemotherapy treatment and who demonstrate financial need (must earn less than 300% of the federal poverty level to be eligible.)
Friends of Ostomates Worldwide – USA – receives donated ostomy supplies and sends them at no cost to those in need.
Kindred Box – provides ostomy equipment for uninsured and under-insured individuals across the U.S.
Liberator Medical – provides free samples of urinary catheters and ostomy supplies and when you decide which products work best for you, they bill your insurance directly.
Steps of Faith – provides prosthetic limbs to uninsured and under-insured amputees to restore their livelihood.
The Wheelchair Project – provides wheelchairs to those in need. Also accepts donations of gently used wheelchairs.
Photography Services
Memories Live – experienced filmmakers work with patients and families to create a priceless, heartfelt movie to preserve precious memories of those with a serious life-threatening illness.
The F.I.L.M. Project – offers free professional family portraits for those faced with a life-threatening illness, including cancer.
Skincare / Makeup
Bethesda Skincare – in honor of the founder’s sister, Melanie, this company provides one free bar of their Sun and Shield soap with patented sun protection technology to cancer patients. Must email your name, address, and type of cancer you have to themelaniepolicy@bethesdaskincare.com with “The Melanie Policy” in the subject line.
Spa Services
Diva for a Day – women currently in treatment for cancer, are less than six months out from finishing treatment, or women who have stage 4 cancer at any place in their journey receive a day at a participating salon that includes massage, facial, manicure, pedicure, makeup, shampoo and style. A local restaurant provides lunch.
Travel / Adventure
Dolphins Plus – Dolphins Plus in Key Largo, FL offers a free, hands-on, swim with the dolphins session for cancer patients and survivors.
Dream Foundation – an adult make-a-wish organization for those with a life-limiting diagnosis, with a life expectancy of 12 months or less. Dreams provided have include travel to see family, a final beach vacation, meeting sports figures and wedding vow renewal ceremonies.
Epic Experience – provides free week-long adventure camps in Colorado for adult cancer survivors and thrivers. Summer camps include whitewater rafting, kayaking and hiking. Winter camps involve cross country skiing, snowshoeing and sledding.
Jack & Jill Late-Stage Cancer Foundation – provides WOW! Experiences for families with at least one child between the ages of 3 and 18 who have a parent with late-stage cancer with a life expectancy of 6 to 12 months. Recipients must be referred by their oncologist.
Reel Recovery – free fly-fishing retreats for men living with all types of cancer.
Sail Beyond Cancer – offers 3-hour private sailing excursions for a cancer patient and up to five friends/loved ones. Sails take place from late May through October, weather permitting. Currently has chapters in Annapolis, MD, Burlington, VT, and North Shore, MA.
Sailing Heals – provides a rejuvenating day at sea for patients and caregivers navigating cancer. Sails typically take place in MA, but sometimes in NY, RI and FL.
Waves of Grace – provides an all-expense-paid week at the beach, in the Smoky Mountains, or at Disney World. Applications must be completed by the oncology team and submitted directly to rest@wavesofgrace.org
Weddings / Vow Renewals
Wish Upon a Wedding – provides free weddings and vow renewals for couples facing terminal illness and serious life-altering circumstances. Includes the dress, venue, photographer, food, cake and more.
Wigs
Angel Hair Inc. – provides 100% no cost wigs to women suffering hair loss due to cancer drugs and/or treatments.
Ebeauty Community – Provides free wigs for cancer patients (application requires a letter from your doctor, social worker, nurse, or nurse navigator). They also accept wig donations.
National Wigs for Cancer Society – partners with local salons to order and customize wigs through cuts, color, and style. They work with your insurance company to pay for the wig, or they have a network of donors to help ensure you pay little to nothing for your specialty wig.
The Butterfly Club – provides a wig and styling at no cost to teens and adult women across the United States.
The Pink Wig Project – provides a fun, sassy pink wig at no cost to women in the U.S.A. who are in active cancer treatment.
Verma Foundation – provides comfortable, breathable cap wigs with 100% human hair attached to cancer patients in financial need. Caps are lined with soft material to protect itchy and sensitive scalps.
Wigs & Wishes – partners with salons around the nation for fittings where you select the wig you like and the salon orders it for you at no charge.
Pay for Shipping Only
While the contents of these items are free, these organizations ask that you pay for shipping.
Beloved Foundation – provides a care kit that includes an activity book, Biotene, a journal, lip balm, socks, and tea. Care kits are free for California residents; others pay $14.95 for shipping and handling.
Fight Club Survivor – sends a surprise comfort kit to breast cancer patients. $11.11 for shipping.
Kits to Heart – provides customizable kits that include a reusable water bottle, handwritten cards, journal, face masks, heart pillow, lip balm, ginger chews, hand and body cream and more.
Oley Foundation – Connects families in need of enteral formula, tubing and other supplies with families who have items to donate. Submit a request and an Oley Foundation rep will be in touch when they’ve found someone with those items to donate. You’ll need to pay for shipping for the supplies. Note this is not for urgent needs – items are not guaranteed, and it may take up to 2 weeks to receive items once connected with a donor.
YANA Cancer Comfort – an inspirational care package that includes a warm fleece blanket, a handmade cap, a devotional and a handwritten note with a personal message of hope. $25 for shipping costs.
Location Specific Freebies
Arkansas
Faith Support Ministry – provides a free monogrammed blanket and an inspirational CD for Arkansans currently in cancer treatment.
California
Los Angeles:
Helen’s Room – provides resources for lower-income or uninsured women in cancer treatment, including hats, scarves, turbans and wigs, breast prostheses, mastectomy bras, educational books and videos.
San Francisco Bay Area
CARE Kits – these kids address a variety of needs related to cancer treatment, survivorship and caring for someone impacted by cancer. Kits include items that may be needed for appointments, such as hand sanitizer, tissues, notebook and pens, and comfort and support items such as hats and port pillows made and donated by members of the community. You can request either a patient/survivor CARE Kit or a caregiver CARE Kit.
Illinois
Christmas Without Cancer – now expanded to year-round support, this organization provides holiday gifts and basic necessities to Illinois residents who are currently undergoing cancer treatment at a location within a 30-mile radius of Oak Lawn, IL.
Massachusetts
Ovations for the Cure Helping Hands Program – provides free healthy and easy to prepare meals to patients currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment.
New York
Lucia’s Angels – licensed massage therapists provide three ½ hour massages to women diagnosed with breast and gynecological cancers. They also offer Pink Ribbon bags filled with educational information, resources, and self-care items.
Ohio
Yellow Brick Place – offers wigs along with other head coverings, scarves, jewelry and other accessories for anyone battling cancer in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties. Their ‘Your Beauty Program’ teaches clients makeup and skincare tips to manage the hair loss and skin changes from cancer and its treatment. Participants receive a beauty bag with new makeup, tools and additional beauty products free of charge. Locally made port pillows and knitted knockers prostheses are also available at no cost.
Chris Collinsworth ProScan Fund – Pink Ribbon Bags – available to women in the greater Cincinnati area newly diagnosed with breast cancer, this gift bag is filled with inspirational books, educational materials and other comforting items designed to bring hope to a woman as she begins her healing journey.
Oregon / SW Washington
Breast Friends Brave and Beautiful Program – provides a free professional photography session to breast cancer patients.
Pennsylvania
PA Breast Cancer Coalition Friends Like Me Care Packages – offers two types of care packages: one for those who received a breast cancer diagnosis within the last six months, and those with a metastatic breast cancer diagnosis. Each customized box contains resources, small gifts, cosmetics, and a reminder that you are not alone.
Radiant Hope – beautiful gift boxes are filled with items to be uplifting and to bring a vision of HOPE. Packages include a water bottle, journal, candy, verse cards, Chapstick and other fun and uplifting items. Each package is prayed over for the recipient before it is sent out.
Cumberland Valley (serves Western MD, the Eastern Panhandle of WV, and Southern PA)
Breast Cancer Awareness of Cumberland Valley – provides:
- ‘After Surgery Heart Pillows’ for newly diagnosed breast cancer patients
- Restaurant and grocery store gift cards for breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment
- A free one-time, two hour house cleaning for breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy
- Wigs, scarves, and hats are available for free for any woman going through chemotherapy (not just breast cancer patients)
- The Angel Program is where volunteers send weekly cards/notes and small gifts to breast cancer patients while they’re going through treatment.
Tennessee
Knoxville
United Cancer Support Foundation – provides recliners for East Tennessee cancer patients to help the patient relax, as well as provide improved blood circulation in the legs, alleviate back pain and problems with nausea sometimes caused by chemotherapy. Note: these new recliners are PICK UP ONLY. You must provide a truck or van with at least two people to move the recliner on the scheduled pick up date.
Texas
Austin
Ballet Austin Pink Pilates Program – free post-operative Pilates workouts for breast cancer survivors.
CareBOX Program – available to anyone receiving cancer treatment in the greater Austin area of Travis, Hays, Bastrop, Caldwell, Burnet and Williamson counties. Select items from their current product list and have these free essential care supplies delivered directly to your door. One box can be requested every three months.
Washington, D.C.
Food and Friends – provides home delivered medically tailored meals and nutrition therapy to people living with cancer, HIV/AIDS, and other serious illnesses.
Disease-Specific Gifts
These items are just for those diagnosed with the specific type of cancer listed.
Breast Cancer
Blessing Box Project – provides a drain shirt, mastectomy pillow, and extra surprises. Heart pillows and port pillows are also available at no cost upon request.
Boxes of Hope – provides comfort care packages, mastectomy pillows, mastectomy drain aprons, fabric face masks and hats to those currently in treatment for breast cancer.
Casting for Recovery – provides free 2 ½ day fly fishing retreats for women with breast cancer at any stage of their journey.
Fight through Flights – empowers and supports the healing of Black women living with breast cancer and breast cancer survivors by providing free wellness retreats, travel experiences, mental health, nutrition, and fitness resources.
Little Pink Houses of Hope – provides week-long vacations for breast cancer patients (or those who have completed treatment within the previous 12 months) and their families. They offer retreats across the United States for singles, couples, and families.
National Breast Cancer Foundation HOPE Kits – kits for women undergoing breast cancer treatment that include fuzzy socks, a tumbler, tea, a product from Thrive Causemetics ™, unscented lotion, lip balm, HOPE journal and pen, inspirational bracelet and educational resources.
- Simply Fight Program for breast cancer patients stages 0-3 provides healthy meals, rides to treatment, housecleaning essentials, peer support and education.
- No Age No Stage program is for stage 4 breast cancer patients and extends the Simply Fight Program for a longer period of time.
Pockets of Hope – provides mastectomy hoodies to women undergoing treatment.
Sharsheret Survivor Kit – customizable kit that includes information on health and nutrition, an exercise stretch band, cookbook and printed resources.
Tutu Project Tutu Cheer Package – a maximum of five packages per month are sent out by this organization to breast cancer patients that include a set of postcards from a survivor along with surprise treats.
Twisted Pink’s Box of Hope – Each Box of Hope contains breast cancer facts, resources, health and beauty items, and gifts of comfort that will bring hope and provide support to people diagnosed with breast cancer.
Gynecological Cancers
- Simply Fight Program for gynecological cancer patients stages 0-3 provides healthy meals, rides to treatment, housecleaning essentials, peer support and education.
- No Age No Stage program is for stage 4 gynecological cancer patients and extends the Simply Fight Program for a longer period of time.
Lung Cancer
Lung Cancer Research Foundation Care Kit – available for both lung cancer patients and caregivers, these tote bags are filled with personal care items and a copy of their Living with Hope book.
Ovarian Cancer
National Ovarian Cancer Coalition Faces of Hope Kit – provides educational information along with comfort items chosen by survivors to provide hope, inspiration and support. Select from a Newly Diagnosed Kit or a Recurrent Kit.
National Ovarian Cancer Coalition Teal Comfort for the Soul – provides quality prepared food and delivers it weekly to your doorstep.
Ovations for the Cure – provides an Ovations butterfly bangle to ovarian cancer patients and survivors.
Sharsheret Survivor Kit – customizable kit that includes information on health and nutrition, an exercise stretch band, cookbook and printed resources.
Pancreatic Cancer
Project Purple – provides helpful information for newly diagnosed pancreatic cancer patients along with a Blanket of Hope.
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