Sometimes even the smallest acts of kindness can help encourage someone with cancer and bring them hope.

The word “encourage” comes from the Latin word meaning “heart.” So literally, to encourage someone is to “put heart into them”—to give them courage, strength, or hope, which is what someone so desperately needs when facing cancer.

Many of us would like to know how to encourage someone with cancer, but we often don’t know what to do or perhaps we feel overwhelmed by their situation—so we do nothing.

Here’s an important truth: you can do something practical today that will help the person feel loved and cared for. Here’s some suggestions.

You don’t have to fix it

Note: It’s not your job to fix their situation. However, showing up with a meaningful act of kindness can bring them hope and encouragement.

The following list includes nine ways to encourage someone with cancer. These suggestions are specific, practical, and not difficult to pull off. They will help give the person hope.

This is not an exhaustive list. In fact, we want to hear from you about how you have encouraged someone! See the “Share Your Story” at the end of the article.

Or, keep reading to hear our nine ways to encourage to someone with cancer.

9 Ways to encourage someone with cancer:

1. Show up for them.

   Offer your presence as a gift. It may seem like there may be something better you can do for them, but your presence is one of the best gifts you can encourage someone with cancer. Show up for them and let them know how much you care. Just being there is one of the best gifts you can offer. If you are concerned whether it is a good time for a visit, text them directly, or reach out to a family member and ask.

2. Listen to them.

   Ask them how they are doing and then listen. Let them direct the conversation and do most of the talking. Resist the urge to try to fix their situation but just listen and affirm what they are saying. This can help people feel cared for. For more help with what to say, see “What to Say Someone Who Has Cancer,” also on our website.

3. Serve them in simple ways.

   Don’t say, “Let me know if you need anything.” This puts the pressure on them and they likely won’t reach out. Instead, ask them (or their family) specifically what some areas in their life they might need help with, and then see if you could help. Maybe it is as simple as picking up their mail for them, taking out the garbage, or sorting through the fridge. Whatever it is, they will certainly feel loved by your act of service.

4. Love them creatively.

   Draw them a picture, knit them a hat, or you could even write them a poem or song. That’s what a woman named Susanne Bielfeldt did for friend who was hospitalized after surgery for colon cancer. She wrote him a hopeful song called, “When an Angel Comes to You.” Her friend, who was later released from the hospital, often cries every time he hears it, as the words are uplifting and specific to his experience. You can listen to the song here or go this page to see the lyrics and learn more about her inspiration.

5. Bring them food.

   Bringing people a healthy meal is always a welcome gift, as when someone faces a crisis, they often don’t have the capacity to cook. They will appreciate it, especially while in the hospital, as the food is often subpar at best. A homecooked meal, or something from their favorite restaurant is a great way to show them how much you care and will give them an encouraging lift. Not only that, but it will also help them get the vital nutrition they need.

6. Write them a card.

   Writing someone a note of encouragement is a timeless way to show love and care for someone. When my mom was going through cancer, she loved checking the mailbox. Because almost every day, one of her friends sent her an encouraging card. She kept these in her journal and would look back that them. These written acts of kindness were like a steady stream of hope trickling into her life each day. And they meant a lot.

7. Invite them to social gatherings.

   It can be painful for someone to feel cut off from their friends during cancer. Not everyone facing cancer will be able to keep attending social gatherings like normal, but they will be grateful to be invited. If you can accommodate them to attend, try to make it work. Or that the very least, maybe Facetime or Zoom with them. You may think, “Oh, they won’t want to be bothered.” But even if they say no, they will still feel loved and included, which is a great way to encourage someone with cancer.

8. Give their caregivers a break.

   Behind every person facing cancer, is often a circle of friends and family who support them. Usually most of the care falls on one or two people who quickly reach exhaustion or burnout. Whenever possible, show love to the caregivers by bringing them a meal, giving them a hug or even helping them take a break. It will help them better care for the person going through cancer. By serving the caregiver you are also serve the one going through cancer.

9. Pray for them.

   Prayer, or asking God for help, has proven to one of the most powerful ways to help people find hope. We can always ask the person going through cancer, “How can I pray for you?” And then do it. If you feel comfortable, you could even pray with them, or recruit a friend, pastor or chaplain to pray with them for the needs they share. Giving their struggle to God can help bring a sense of peace and calm and hope that nothing else can.

As these words from the Bible say, “By prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).”

To learn more about how to pray for others, see this article: Praying for Loved Ones with Cancer.

Share your story

Do you have a story of encouraging someone with cancer? We would love to hear it. Please use this form and share your story. Write “A story of encouragement” in the message and then share with us in a few sentences or paragraphs.*

We will select three of the best stories and the winners will each receive a packet of our greeting cards, “Send Words of Hope” (value of $24). Thanks so much for participating, and especially your care for people with cancer!

*By participating, you agree to receive our Hope Communications. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Conclusion

As this article shows, if you want to encourage someone with cancer, there are many practical and simple ways to do it. It doesn’t have to be overwhelming, and you will be glad you did.

Today is a good day to help bring hope to a friend who so desperately needs it.

 

What to Say to Someone with Cancer

How to Pray for Loved Ones with Cancer