Freebies::: One Central Spot to look

Freebies::: One Central Spot to look

“I WISH I KNEW ABOUT THAT WHEN I WENT THROUGH TREATMENT!”

That’s what I hear all the time when I tell women about all the Breast Cancer Freebies available.

That’s why I created this site. Like many of you, I had surgery, chemo and radiation for breast cancer.

Along the way I got a FREE wig from the American Cancer Society and a FREE bag of goodies from the Lydia Project.

As a journalist I began to search the internet for other wonderful freebies. But there was no central place to find them.

Until now. This site is my way of paying it forward in gratitude to my health and in thanks to all the good people who helped me.

FREE is my favorite four-letter word -- after LOVE!

Wigs

A woman’s hair is an incredible form of self-expression, so hair loss can strike an especially crippling blow to those fighting cancer. A recent study revealed that nearly 60 percent of women consider hair loss the most dreaded side effect they face when undergoing chemotherapy.

Real-hair wigs can cost thousands of dollars and are often only partially covered by health insurance, but there are ways to get wigs for FREE:

§  American Cancer Society: To support cancer patients undergoing chemo, the American Cancer Society offers brand new FREE wigs at wig banks and cancer centers around the country. For local resources contact, Click Here or call 800-227-2345.

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§  Friends are by Your Side: Celebrity hairstylist Martino Cartier founded this charity to help thousands of cancer patients get FREEwigs through a network of 300 salons in four countries. Click Here to see whether there is a salon in your area.

§  It takes at least six ponytails to make one wig. If your friends and family have hair to spare and want to help the cause, tell them about the Pantene Beautiful Lengths campaign that collects healthy hair to make FREE wigs available to cancer patients at the American Cancer Society’s wig banks. Donated hair must be a minimum of 8 inches long (measured from just above the elastic band of a ponytail to the ends). Click Here, or call 800-945-7768, for more details and where to donate.

• Chemo Angels: This volunteer organization is dedicated to bringing a ray of sunshine and a heavy dose of encouragement into the lives of those undergoing IV chemotherapy treatment. They match patients with an angel who will send FREE notes, cards and small gifts to keep spirits up during the course of treatment. Click Here to apply.
• Card Care Connection: With the message “Join Together Lift Spirits,” Card Care Connection’s aim is to provide personalized handmade greeting cards to people with cancer across the US. TheFREE cards provide an uplifting message of hope to brighten a cancer patients’ day. Request a card to be sent to a friend or loved one, ask for one for yourself, or even volunteer to make some to help the cause. They also encourage people to organize a card-making event to help them in their efforts and they accept donations of money, stamps and supplies. For information, Click Here.
• Casting for Recovery offers FREE fly-fishing weekends in 33 states for female breast cancer survivors. Founded on the principles that the natural world is a healing force, you don’t have to know how – or even like – to fly fish; the main goal is bonding.  The retreats are held from April to November and also incorporate counseling and educational services with trained facilitators. Participants are selected by lottery, but you can reapply if not selected. Click Here, or call   888-553-3500, to apply.
• Stowe Weekend of Hope is a three-day gathering held each spring in the resort town of Stowe, VT, for both male and female cancer survivors and their families. FREE accommodations are available for first-time guests and most events are free. Activities include educational sessions with top doctors presenting current medical research in all areas of cancer treatments, workshops by cancer type, movement and exercise classes, a 3-mile run and more. Click Here, or call 800-GO-STOWE.
• Little Pink Houses provides FREE week-long beach retreats in private homes in North and South Carolina for breast cancer patients and their immediate families. The aim is to promote recovery and reconnection in a relaxing environment. Meals are served in a common area with other families. Activities include fishing, yoga and parasailing. Babysitting is provided so parents can have a date night. Click Here, or call 336-213-4733.
• Image Reborn offers FREE Living Beyond Breast Cancer weekend retreats in Park City, Utah, for women diagnosed with the disease. Their aim: to provide a safe and peaceful environment where women with breast cancer can come together in small groups to share common experiences and realize they are not alone on their path to recovery.  Retreats include education, nutrition, massage, journaling, exercise and support. Click Here, or call 435-658-1715.
Good to Know
• Breast Cancer Wellness Magazine sponsors one or two cruises a year complete with speakers, workshops and mastectomy-wear fashion shows. Cruises are not free, but each year they sponsor a contest to give away a FREE cruise. They also offer scholarships to women with stage IV breast cancer. Click Here

Free Yoga Classes for Cancer patients

http://www.yogabear.org/page/free-yoga-classes

Request Services

Lydia's free services are meant for women currently facing cancer. Receive support for yourself or any woman currently receiving treatment for any type of cancer anywhere in the world by using the buttons to the right to request a tote, prayer, or support.

The Challenges/Situations Lydia Addresses:

Women with cancer

Suffer with depression and feelings of isolation; are afraid to share their fears with family and friends; and seek out tools and other survivors to help them cope with their emotions during this time of crisis.

Caregivers and Loved Ones

Struggle with what to do or say to comfort the woman in their life with cancer; search for tangible signs of comfort and support to give to the cancer patient; and need a safe place to discuss their fears and emotions about their loved one.

Healthcare Providers

Look for places of referral for cancer patients and families to find emotional and spiritual support; desire to show compassion, empathy and community support to the cancer patient; and value practical tools that complement medical treatment.For a complete list of partnering healthcare agencies click here.