It is usually one of two people who asks us this. Either a family member who wants to understand what their loved one is going to receive, or a patient on a ward who has spotted our volunteers and wants to know what the options are before they pick something. Both are completely reasonable.
So here is the answer. There are 29 different gift options on our list. Patients choose one when our volunteers arrive on the ward, which means nobody gets handed something generic. The pack depends entirely on what the person picks.
How Availability Works
These packs are only available in the hospital setting. We hand deliver to oncology wards and chemotherapy units at our partner hospitals, and that is the only way to receive one. No postal service, nothing for people at home, nothing outside the hospitals we already work with.
If you are not sure whether the hospital your loved one attends is one of ours, the Hospitals and Partnerships page has the full list.
What the Packs Can Contain
The gift list covers a range of options. Some packs focus on overnight essentials and toiletries, useful for patients who have been admitted unexpectedly or are staying for a procedure. Others are built around entertainment and keeping the mind occupied during treatment sessions, puzzle books and similar items go down well for exactly that reason.
There are craft sets for people who prefer something more hands on. Hydration supplies for patients going through treatment.
Every pack also includes a personal letter. People mention those letters to us regularly, often more than the gift itself.
Who Gets to Choose?
The patient does, directly. They can either help themselves from the gift stations based by the reception desk or when our volunteers arrive on the ward, they go through the gift list with each patient and the person picks what suits them. That is the whole model. Nobody has a pack chosen for them based on their diagnosis or what a nurse thinks they might want.
If a patient is unable to choose for themselves on that day, a family member present on the ward or a member of staff can help. If you are a family member who wants to flag this in advance, just let us know and we will make sure it is handled.
Packs for Men and Women
The gift list has options that work for anyone, and options that are more naturally suited to men or women. What patients consistently tell us is that the personal letter and the act of being visited makes as much difference as the gift inside the pack. That counts for people of any age, any cancer type, any background.
What About Younger Patients?
Cancer does not only affect older people, and we see plenty of younger adults across the wards we visit. The gift list covers enough variety that most people find something that suits them regardless of age. If a younger patient wants a steer, the volunteers are there to talk it through. Nobody gets rushed into picking something.
The Cost
Free. Completely free to the patient. Each pack costs The Lewis Foundation around £3.60 to source and put together. If you want to help fund a pack for someone going through treatment, the donate page is where to start.
How to Actually Receive One
If you are a patient at one of our partner hospitals, help yourself to one at the reception desk or asking a member of the ward team or oncology staff.
The one thing to bear in mind is that the service is in-hospital only. If treatment has finished or the person is at home between appointments, we cannot get a pack to them at this point.
Gift Options Summary
| Gift option | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Overnight essentials and toiletries | Useful items for patients admitted or staying overnight |
| Craft set | A hands-on activity for patients during or between treatment sessions |
| Puzzle books | Word searches, sudoku and similar for patients wanting something to focus on |
| Hydration supplies | Drinks and related items for patients going through treatment |
| Personal letter from a volunteer | Included in every pack, regardless of which gift is chosen |