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by Susan Fitzgerald

    When my mom used to urge me to write letters to my grandparents, she would say, “Just five minutes of your time can make such a difference to their day.” Chemo Angels, an international organization that supports those with cancer, is founded on this very principle.

    Here’s how it works: If you’re going through cancer treatment, you can sign up through the website by filling out a questionnaire about yourself. You are then assigned two “angels,” one who sends cards or letters once or twice a week and another who also sends a small gift each week. The purpose of this mail is simple: to bring a little bit of brightness, a little bit of fun, a little distraction to your day—to make you smile.

    The only requirement is that you check in with the administration once a month. That’s it. You don’t have to write back to your angels (although if you choose to, you certainly can). It’s not a penpal kind of relationship—it’s all about you!

    It seems like such a small thing—a letter here, a postcard there, some tea or a magazine. But knowing that a complete stranger is thinking of you and has written to tell you so means a lot on such a difficult journey. A young breast cancer patient told me that she was amazed at how excited she was to see her mom bringing in “angel mail” from the mailbox. Another breast cancer patient appreciated getting almost-daily emails to help break the monotony when she was confined to her home for months and not allowed visitors because she was at such a high risk of infection.

    I’ve been a volunteer with Chemo Angels and its sister organization, Senior Angels, for several years. When I first heard of Chemo Angels, I knew it was a great fit for me. Addicted to the mail (sending is just as good as receiving) and one of the few letter writers I know, I would finally get to put to use the skills I developed as a kid answering penpal ads in the back of Archie comics.

    I’ve been assigned to people of all ages, from preschoolers to senior citizens. Some I’ve never heard from; others I’ve developed a relationship with that has outlasted the official assignment. Some cases have been the source of celebration when the good news has come that treatment is done; other cases have broken my heart. With each assignment, though, I am convinced that I get just as much out of it as the person I’m writing to does.

    If you’re currently in treatment, check out the Chemo Angels site. And if you’re a survivor who’s been there or, like me, a person who wants to spend a few minutes here and there to support someone with cancer, consider volunteering.

    My own involvement with Chemo Angels has proven to me that my mom was indeed right (shhh—don’t tell her I said that.). Just five minutes of your time can make such a difference to someone’s day. Or, if you’re the one in need of support, just five minutes of someone else’s time can make such a difference to your day.

*The opinions, statements, services, advice, judgements, offers, and other information offered by these third-party organizations are those of their author(s) and are not necessarily those of There Is Life After Breast Cancer.com. We are posting these for your convenience only.