Gift Ideas for Women Fighting Breast Cancer

October was deemed National Breast Cancer Awareness month to honor all the wonderful women and men who suffered from the disease. (Find out how doctors are Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.) And while it’s easy to support foundations and research to help lower those future numbers, it’s not always easy to support the people in your life who are suffering from breast cancer right now. What do you say to someone who has been recently diagnosed? What can you do to make their first day of chemo easier? We’ve rounded up give ways you can brighten the very hard days of the people you love who are suffering.

It’s hard to know the right thing to say when someone is diagnosed or has just undergone chemo. Emily McDowell makes it easy with her perfectly on-point cards that marry real talk and humor in a situation that seriously needs that combo. Our favorites? “I promise never to refer to your illness as a ‘journey.’ (Unless someone takes you on a cruise).” and “Please let me be the first to punch the next person who tells you everything happens for a reason.” ($4.50; emilymcdowell.com)

There aren’t many things you can control when you’re diagnosed, but what nutrients you’re putting into your body is one of them. The author of this recently released book, Ann Odgen Gaffney, is the founder of Cook for Your Life, a cancer-fighting nutritional program approved by the National Institutes of Health that offers free cooking classes to cancer patients (which is another great gift idea!). Next best to taking the class? Using this cookbook to help nourish a cancer-ridden body. It even goes so far as to separate recipes into “simple” for when the patient is fatigued and “safe” for when their immune system is compromised. ($20; amazon.com)

This skincare line was created by Cynthia Besteman in 2012 after she was diagnosed with breast cancer and realized that so many of the “natural” products she used actually had parabens and chemical dyes in them. The Beloved Line, which includes face and body lotion, cleanser, facial serum, foot salve and lip balm, is made specifically for women undergoing chemotherapy to help soothe dry skin without the worry of perfumed lotions or harmful chemicals. Cool fact: Besteman gifts every women this package on her first day of chemotherapy at New York City’s Mount Sinai (where she was treated) to brighten an otherwise pretty terrible day. ($150; violetsareblueskincare.com)

One of the hardest parts of having breast cancer, psychologically, is the way it affects your girls. Dana Donofree felt this hit on her femininity after she was diagnosed at just 28 years old so, after going into remission, she launched a line of bras and sports bras made specifically for the challenges that come with breast cancer treatment—and the pieces are all delicate enough to make a survivor feel feminine and sexy again. Plus, five percent of the proceeds go to Living Beyond Breast Cancer. ($48 to $54; anaono.com) (If you want to splurge a little, buy her this gorgeous Stella McCartney Post-Mastectomy Bra.)

A care package may seem cheesy, but it’s actually very heartfelt—not to mention practical. BFFL Co (yes, that does stand for “Best Friends For Life”) makes such bundles for different hospital needs, but they offer five different ones for breast cancer, including ones specific to a double mastectomy, chemotherapy, and a lumpectomy. Inside the cute and girly duffle bags are necessities like heart pillows specifically for support in the tender underarm area, wound and drain care supplies, a warm pashmina, toiletries, and snacks. In addition to being a great all-in-one gift, BFFL Co will donate 15 percent of your purchase to the charity of your choice. ($40 to $114; bfflco.com) (Want to make your own? Steal tips from these 6 Custom Care Package Ideas for Someone You Love.)