KUWAIT: Having cancer is a difficult experience, and the journey can be even more challenging when there are no families or friends around for support. The absence of loved ones can leave patients feeling isolated and vulnerable, making the emotional and psychological burdens of the illness even heavier. Lynn Whyte, the founder of the Second Chance charity, recognized the emotional toll of isolation during such a challenging time, so she launched a campaign "Cancer Care Packages” to provide gifts to these patients as a gesture of comfort and support.
"The initiative aims to bring a sense of care to those who have no one. Being a patient myself at Kuwait Cancer Centre, I have seen so many people alone without family support. The struggle is real. I thought that to brighten their day and let them know we are thinking of them, we could offer them a pretty bag full of items they both need, which would make them smile,” Whyte told Kuwait Times.
Whyte urged people to donate items such as socks, lightweight gloves (cotton preferably), makeup bags, face moisturizer, cooling eye mask, lip balm, multi-vitamin powder drinks, sleep mask, head scarf, turban, small packet of dates, small jar of good quality honey, sanitary wear, puzzle books, coloring books, coloring pencils, herbal teas (especially ginger), spa or massage vouchers, wheat bag or hot water bottle, and any gift in addition to the care package.
She explained that the items have been carefully selected as they are some of the priority needs of the chemo patients, adding "Each side effect of the chemo gives a different indication — for example, cold feet, hence the need for socks. A lot of expat women are extremely uncomfortable due to a multitude of nasty side effects but unable to afford what they consider small luxuries. We hope to provide them with ginger tea to prevent sickness, turbans for hair loss, puzzle books to keep them entertained during chemo sessions, and so on.”
Whyte’s efforts through the Second Chance charity exemplify the profound impact that compassion and community can have on those facing immense challenges, particularly when they have no one to lean on. Through her campaign, Whyte aims to provide emotional support to isolated cancer patients and serves as a powerful reminder that even small acts of kindness can bring comfort, hope, and a sense of belonging to those who need it most.