“It’s more than a gift,” says charity supporting cancer patients for 10 years

The Lewis Foundation, based in Northamptonshire, is celebrating ten years of bringing comfort and care to adult cancer patients through free, personalised gift packages during their hospital stays.

Each week, dedicated volunteers at The Lewis Foundation carefully prepare and deliver support packs to patients, addressing the challenges and isolation of hospitalisation. These gift packs, filled with essentials such as blankets, books, and skincare products, offer crucial relief for patients who may find it difficult to obtain or afford these items.

Reflecting on the Foundation's journey, Co-founder Lorraine Lewis said: "Supporting someone through a difficult time and letting them know they're not alone is incredibly important and seeing our gift initiative grow over the past decade has been truly rewarding."

Initially serving Northamptonshire General Hospital, the Foundation now provides over 2,000 packs monthly to 17 hospitals, offering 29 varieties of packages tailored to meet the diverse needs of people from diagnosis through end-of-life care.

Lewis shared how the scope has grown and emphasised community involvement, stating, "When Ellie and I started it, we knew there might be a need, but the demand was beyond what we imagined.

''The community has really supported us and got behind us, enabling us to provide all the packs we do. It feels like everyone asks, 'What can I do to help?' and we find a way to make it happen."

Hospitals have expressed their appreciation for the gift packs, noting the positive influence they have on patients and families alike. As Lewis noted, "Hospitals love it. They use our packs to ease patients, using them as icebreakers to start conversations.

''They go out every day of the week, with hospital staff handing them out even beyond our visits."

For families of those in treatment, the Foundation's packages offer peace of mind, ensuring their loved ones receive essential support even when family is absent. Lewis explained, "For families, it's great knowing that their loved one is being taken care of when they're not around.''

For those interested in helping or learning more about supporting the initiative, visit The Lewis Foundation’s website

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• northamptonshire
• lewis foundation
• cancer patients
• cancer gifts