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Community & Support

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

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Cancer Prevention, Care, & Support

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,

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Cancer Prevention, Care, & Support

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

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Community & Support

My Cancer Survivorship Story: Survival of the (Un)Fittest

I have been hesitant to share my story, or the many hundreds of stories —good and bad —that comprise my thirty-year survivorship, because, in truth, surviving is hard. PLEASE don’t get me wrong, it is better than the alternative, but short- and long-term survival after cancer presents its own unique sets of challenges that, like cancer diagnosis and treatment, require

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Cancer Prevention, Care, & Support

5 Ways to Help Manage Brain Fog During Chemo

One of the most common — and often unexpected — side effects of cancer treatment is “chemo brain.” It can show up as forgetfulness, trouble concentrating, or simply feeling foggy. Sometimes it’s the treatment itself, sometimes it’s the disease, and often it’s the stress that comes along with both. Whatever the cause, it can feel frustrating when the things you

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Cancer Prevention, Care, & Support

Why I Started Cancer Sherpa

I often get asked why I started Cancer Sherpa, and I laugh because I didn’t start Cancer Sherpa; you did. You, the fearful, frustrated, and fed-up cancer patients and caretakers, who didn’t know who to call, called me – I just picked up the phone. My sophomore year at Duke, my roommate and I lived in 303 House B, where

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Cancer Prevention, Care, & Support

5 Tips for Exercising During and After Cancer Treatment

Exercise isn’t just safe for people undergoing cancer treatment—it’s powerful medicine. From reducing fatigue and anxiety to enhancing survival outcomes, these habits support overall well-being. Additionally, emerging studies suggest they may even play a role in recovery and long-term health for some survivors.  Ready to start incorporating more movement, but not sure where to start? Follow our tips for exercising

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You photo of Clare the Cancer Sherpa Blood Draw at Columbia Summer 1994
Cancer Prevention, Care, & Support

How to Ask for Help When You Are a Cancer Patient

A skill, and it is a skill that does not come naturally to most of us in our day-to-day lives, is asking for help. It requires not only a willingness to be vulnerable but a level of self-reflection and initiative that we often lose when we are struggling with something. The inner turmoil of asking for help can be exponentially

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Insurance agent standing in front of laptop and giving advise to senior woman.
Cancer Prevention, Care, & Support

Use Your HSA and FSA Accounts to Fight Your Cancer

Did you know you can pay for Cancer Sherpa’s or any cancer patient advocate’s services with the pre-tax funds in your HSA (Health Savings Account) or FSA (Flexible Spending Account) accounts? According to the IRS, as long as the services are primarily for your medical cancer care, specifically helping you understand your diagnosis and treatment options, coordinate care, or communicate

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Healthy diet plan for weight loss, daily ready meal menu. Close up woman putting note on lunch box cooked in advance, ready to eat for lunch. Balanced portion with healthy dish. Pre-cooking concept
Cancer Prevention, Care, & Support

7 Tips for Creating a Meal Train for Someone with Cancer

When someone you love is navigating cancer, everyday tasks like cooking can become overwhelming. Organizing a meal train during cancer treatment is one of the simplest and most meaningful ways to show support. Whether they’re going through treatment, recovering from surgery, or balancing appointments with rest, having a hot meal—or even just a stocked fridge—can make a big difference.  These

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Side view portrait of senior woman listening to music during chemotherapy treatment, copy space
Cancer Prevention, Care, & Support

10 Items to Bring to Your Chemotherapy Infusion Treatment

Preparing for your first chemotherapy infusion treatment can feel overwhelming. While many treatment centers provide basic comforts, it’s always a good idea to come prepared with a few essentials that can make the experience a little easier, warmer, and more personal. We’ve put together a checklist of recommended items—some practical, some cozy, all chosen with the chemo patient in mind.

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Man's hands holding smart phone in front of a laptop
Lifestyle & Self-Care

Logins for Loved Ones: Getting Your Digital Ducks in A Row

While it’s not something we like to think about, it’s important to consider your digital footprint when working on your will or proactively getting your ducks in a row at any age. Granting access to your digital accounts can provide closure for family and friends, allowing them to manage your online presence and address any necessary tasks.

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Community & Support

Free Cancer Resources That Can Truly Help

Navigating cancer is overwhelming—emotionally, physically, and financially. But you’re not alone, and there are incredible resources out there designed to support you through every step of the journey. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or deep into treatment, these free services can make a real difference. Below, we’ve rounded up some of the most helpful cancer resources—covering everything from emotional support and

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Community & Support

How to Talk to People About Your Cancer Diagnosis

A cancer diagnosis doesn’t just impact your body—it shifts the ground beneath your feet, affecting your relationships, conversations, and sense of control. One of the hardest parts? Figuring out how to talk about it. Who do you tell? What do you say? How much do you share? And how do you handle the inevitable flood of emotions—from your own and

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Cancer Prevention, Care, & Support

Caring for Your Parent with Cancer

What often goes unsaid when a parent is diagnosed with cancer is that it can be more difficult, at times, to be the caretaker—the child—than the patient. Ultimately, your parent gets to decide what their cancer journey will look like, what they are willing and unwilling to undergo, and how they feel day in and day out. You, the adult

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Cancer Prevention, Care, & Support

A Cancer Navigator’s Guide to Diagnosis, Treatment, and Beyond

A cancer diagnosis brings not only physical and emotional challenges but also financial, logistical, and legal complexities. Navigating cancer treatment can feel overwhelming, from understanding insurance coverage to managing time off work and coordinating care. That’s why having a strong support system—whether through medical professionals, financial advisors,  loved ones, or a cancer sherpa—is essential.  In this guide, we’ll explore the

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Community & Support

Valentine’s Day Care Packages for Cancer Patients

One of our first instincts upon hearing a friend or family member has cancer is to want to comfort them by sending “something.” That “something,” however, can be hard to find in that we often don’t know what they will want or need throughout their cancer journey. Cancer Sherpa has curated a list of Valentine’s Day gifts for every cancer

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