Strategies for Helping Individuals With Cancer
If you want to help individuals with cancer, there are various ways to make a positive impact and encourage them to fight another day. Here are some unique strategies to consider:
Put on Your Business Cap
Starting your own nonprofit organization that specializes in cancer research, education, or treatment is one way to make a widespread impact. However, launching and running a successful nonprofit requires a mind for business. The following steps are involved in starting a nonprofit:
- Register in the state that serves as the principal place of business
- Research the work of other organizations to identify a gap that you can fill
- Write a business plan that outlines your mission, vision, values, funding requirements, and more
- Build a dedicated board of directors
- Draft bylaws, file for tax-exempt status, and handle other administrative tasks
- Market your nonprofit effectively to raise funds and awareness
Learn About Alternative Treatments
Another way to help individuals with cancer is to learn everything you can about alternative treatments. Massage, acupuncture, music therapy, a yoga practice, meditation, and many other activities have proven to work well as a supplement for patients with RCC and other types of cancers. Understanding how some of these treatments work will equip you to help your loved one and others, whether through teaching or practicing.
Go for Visits
Loneliness and feelings of isolation are common among cancer patients, and a simple conversation or activity with a loved one can do wonders for their mental health and recovery. Pencil out an afternoon now and then to bring a cup of coffee or a meal to your loved one’s home or medical care facility. Sit with them, tell stories, play games, play music, or do anything else that provides quality time for both of you.
Give the Caregiver a Break
Finally, look for opportunities to relieve your loved one’s primary caregiver (if it’s not you) of their duties. Offer to take your loved one to their doctor’s appointment, watch their kids or pets, and organize their medications. Caregiving can be brutal on the mind, body, and soul. A break now and then can go a long way in boosting the caregiver’s energy, reducing their stress, and giving them what they need to keep going.
Author: Scott Sanders