Blog - Clare the Cancer Sherpa

Helping Someone Feel Like Themselves During Cancer Treatment

When someone is going through cancer treatment, so much of life begins to revolve around appointments, medications, side effects, and updates. Conversations can become centered around test results and treatment schedules, and everyday routines often begin to change. Over time, people can start to feel like they’re being treated more like a cancer patient than as themselves. It’s important to show

Clare Matschullat June 17, 2026

7 Best Cookbooks for Cancer Patients and Caregivers

When you or someone you love is navigating cancer treatment, it can be difficult to understand how food and nutrition can play a part in your healing. Especially when you’re balancing appointments, scans, and medications, it can feel like an extra heavy task to search for delicious and healthy meals for dinner. That’s why we wanted to share some of

Clare Matschullat June 6, 2026

Low Energy Ways for Cancer Patients to Stay Active

Your energy levels may fluctuate as you undergo cancer treatment, and it can feel difficult to stay active. Staying active during cancer treatment is often recommended, but the idea of “exercise” can feel overwhelming. The good news is that movement doesn’t have to be intense! Gentle, low-energy activities can help support your body, improve circulation, ease stiffness, and even boost

Clare Matschullat April 30, 2026

6 Questions to Ask Your Oncologist About Your Cancer Diagnosis

Clare Matschullat April 22, 2026

9 Thoughtful Gifts for Kids with Cancer

More families now than ever have found themselves facing an unimaginable reality: a child diagnosed with cancer. There is a huge emotional, physical, and financial toll on children and their loved ones in these realities. And in the middle of all this, kids are still finding ways to learn, play, and enjoy small moments. That’s why even the smallest gestures

Clare Matschullat April 8, 2026

What Foods Should I Eat During Chemotherapy?

It can be difficult to know what foods you’re supposed to focus on as you go through chemotherapy treatment. Your body is working hard during this time, and nourishing it with the right foods can help support your strength and overall well-being. With so much emphasis on what not to eat, this blog focuses on foods that can be beneficial

Clare Matschullat March 24, 2026

10 Text Messages To Send To A Friend Going Through Chemo

Reaching out and sending a text to a friend going through chemotherapy can feel daunting, worrying if you’ll say the wrong thing or creating pressure to respond and provide updates. Some of the most common phrases, “stay positive” or “you’ve got this”, can feel emotionally exhausting for cancer patients. The goal of a kind text isn’t to inspire, solve anything,

Clare Matschullat March 13, 2026

Can I Send Flowers to Someone With Cancer?

When someone we care about is going through something difficult, we instinctively want to do something. For a long time, flowers have been a go-to expression of love and support, a bright bouquet that says, “I’m thinking of you.” But when someone is undergoing cancer treatment, flowers aren’t always the safest option. During treatment, many patients have significantly reduced immune

Clare Matschullat March 4, 2026

World Cancer Day: Cancer Awareness and Early Detection

Today, February 4th, marks World Cancer Day, an international awareness day to raise worldwide attention and to inspire action! World Cancer Day campaigns to reduce the global cancer burden and challenge the stigma, misinformation, and inequities in care. To them, reducing the global cancer burden looks like catching it sooner, reducing the fear and isolation of struggling patients, and providing

Clare Matschullat February 4, 2026

What Makes You Feel Human? The Power of Small Moments During Cancer

Last week, after a particularly tough few days in my health and life, I logged on to our team’s weekly Zoom meeting and shared that I could consider that day a win because I was wearing earrings. Alex, Meigan, and Spencer looked at me as if I had lost my mind, and then I explained that the one small thing

Clare Matschullat January 18, 2026

A Gentle Start To The New Year: Setting Intentions When You’re Facing Cancer

As the New Year is upon us, it’s the time of year where people find the motivation to set tough resolutions to kickstart the new year. But not everyone is navigating life with cancer, or supporting someone who is. For many patients and caregivers, the new year isn’t about ambitious goals or fresh starts. This New Year, we want to

Clare Matschullat January 1, 2026

Your Year-End Reminders & Resources From Cancer Sherpa

As the end of the year is upon us, we ask that you take a moment to pause and reflect on how far you have come, even if you feel you have a long way to go. Be proud of the progress you or your loved one has made in your/their cancer journey and admire the strength it took to

Clare Matschullat December 22, 2025

Boundaries and Staying Safe Over the Holidays For Cancer Patients

As the holiday season approaches, many people look forward to connection and celebration. But when you’re navigating cancer, or supporting someone who is, the extra activity and social time can feel overwhelming. That’s why it’s so important to prioritize your well-being and set boundaries that help you feel comfortable and protected. We hope these gentle reminders can help you feel

Clare Matschullat December 17, 2025

It Is Not My Job to Make You Feel Better About My Cancer

Help me help you understand: talking about my cancer diagnosis and treatment is not about managing your fears or anxieties. Thank you. I was literally lying on an acupuncture treatment table yesterday, having this discussion with one of the wisest women I know, Lisa Berkelhammer, my acupuncturist. Lisa is known for providing adjuvant pain therapy for women undergoing breast and

Clare Matschullat December 12, 2025

Allergies, Flu, Cold, or COVID? How To Tell The Difference In 2025

Not sure whether your symptoms mean the flu, allergies, a cold, or COVID? COVID symptoms can shift from year to year, so staying up-to-date can help you spot the signs sooner. This quick chart helps you compare the most common signs for 2025: For more in-depth information about COVID, visit our blog post on the topic. You’ll find detailed guidance

Clare Matschullat December 10, 2025

Give Hope This Giving Tuesday: Support Cancer Patients and Research

Over the past few years, funding for cancer research and patient support has declined. Recent federal budget cuts have created significant gaps in the resources that millions of patients, researchers, and caregivers rely on. Reduced funding leads to widespread consequences, including delayed clinical trials, stalled research, and lost support for patients and families. Community involvement is now more important than

Clare Matschullat December 2, 2025

Thoughtful Ways to Support Someone With Cancer This Season

The holidays are meant to feel joyful, but that joy can be harder to access when someone you love is navigating cancer treatment or rebuilding life after recovery. This guide offers thoughtful ways to bring a little more light into their season — from simple gestures that ease daily stress to curated gift ideas that genuinely support cancer patients, survivors,

Clare Matschullat November 21, 2025

The Shop Is Open: Cancer Support & Comfort for the Holidays

The holidays can be a happy time of connection — but for many cancer patients and caregivers, they can also come with unique challenges. Going through cancer treatment, chemotherapy, or facing a new diagnosis can make this season feel overwhelming, even isolating at times. Between medical appointments, side effects, and emotional fatigue, the typical holiday pace may not feel realistic

Clare Matschullat November 6, 2025

What Should I Eat During Chemotherapy?

Eating during chemotherapy can feel like one more challenge at a time when your body and energy are already working overtime. But nourishing yourself—gently and consistently—can make a real difference in how you feel, how your body copes with treatment, and how well you recover. The good news? You don’t have to eat perfectly during chemo to eat well. Small,

Clare Matschullat October 21, 2025

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Screening, Self-Checks, and Resources

Ladies! Listen up! It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and we want you to know the facts, share them with the women in your life, and get screened to lead by example. Here are five facts you can memorize and share, and some good news to throw in too! Breast cancer facts: Breast cancer accounts for 32% of new cancer cases

Clare Matschullat October 10, 2025

Cancer Coaching Insights for Patients & Caregivers

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