Little-known freebies for people affected by cancer

Living with cancer doesn’t just affect your health, it can take a huge toll on your emotional wellbeing, financial stability and daily life.   

In the UK, around 3.5 million people are currently living with cancer, according to Macmillan Cancer Support.  

Thankfully, a number of UK-based charities and organisations offer free gifts, care packages and support services to bring comfort, hope and a little bit of joy to those affected. 

Whether you're a patient, a carer, a family member, or a friend, these resources can help lift spirits and provide much-needed care, connection and relief during a difficult time. 

Love Po  

Founded in memory of Pauline ‘Po’ Jolly, Love Po provides free gifts and experiences to people undergoing cancer treatment or who have completed treatment in the past year.  

Inspired by Po’s belief in the healing power of joy, this charity helps people look forward to brighter moments, whether it’s a special outing or a pampering gift. 

You can sign up and apply for a gift. 

Something To Look Forward To  

Something To Look Forward To connects people affected by cancer with a wide variety of donated experiences and treats. These include restaurant meals, hotel stays, beauty treatments and tickets to events that have been generously donated by companies and individuals. 

To date, the charity has supported over 40,000 people and facilitated more than £2m worth of donations. It’s open to anyone with a cancer diagnosis and their families. 

Cancer Support UK  

Cancer Support UK offers free cancer kits to people undergoing cancer treatment. Each kit includes helpful items to aid comfort and wellbeing. The charity has cancer kits, chemo kits, comfort kits (for 65+ years) and kids’ kits, which are all supplied free of charge.  

You can order a kit for yourself or someone else who is in treatment. 

Little Lifts  

Little Lifts provides free care packages to people receiving breast cancer treatment. Each gift box is filled with comforting, NHS-approved items, funded through the charity’s Little Kindness Fund. 

Each product is chosen by people who have experience of chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment for breast cancer. 

Lewis Foundation  

Every week, the Lewis Foundation hand-delivers free gifts and support packs to adult cancer patients in hospital. These include items that are often difficult to buy or afford during treatment.  

The charity relies on donations to provide this service.  

The Treatment Bag 

Treatment Bags are for people being treated for cancer. Each bag contains luxurious items to soothe the physical and emotional toll of treatment.  

You can send a bag directly to someone you know, with a personal message included. 

Look Good Feel Better  

Look Good Feel Better is a UK-wide charity that supports people dealing with the visible effects of cancer treatment. They offer expert-led workshops, online and in-person, focused on skincare, makeup, grooming and wellbeing.  

Their aim is to help people feel more confident and supported during their treatment. 

Cancer Hair Care  

Cancer Hair Care offers a free hair loss advisory service led by trained Cancer Hair Care NHS clinical specialists.  

The charity runs live online workshops independently and in partnership with cancer support organisations and the NHS.  

You can download a free guide to cancer treatment related hair loss and hair care. The guide primarily focuses on hair loss as a result of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone treatments and other treatments for cancer.  

Financial support and grants  

Some charities also provide information about grants and financial support available to people living with cancer and their families. 

Charis 

Charis distributes financial help and household support to those facing hardship. Charis Cancer Care focuses specifically on helping people living with cancer access benefits checks, budgeting advice and general financial advice and support.  

Turn2us 

Turn2us is a UK-wide charity helping people in financial difficulty. Their easy-to-use online tool can help you find grants and benefits you may be eligible for. 

Family Fund 

Family Fund is the UK’s largest charity providing grants for low-income families raising children or young people who are disabled or seriously ill.  

They also offer services to help families plan for the future. 

Young Lives vs Cancer 

Young Lives vs Cancer offers support to children and young people with cancer and their families. This includes help with claiming benefits and covering travel and accommodation costs for hospital visits. 

Living with or caring for someone with cancer can be overwhelming but no one has to face it alone. If you or someone you love is going through cancer, don’t hesitate to reach out. These organisations offer more than just gifts, they offer comfort, connection and hope when it’s needed most.