Our mission is to bring comfort and emotional support to breast cancer patients at Mount Sinai Cancer Center by creating thoughtfully curated care baskets that remind them they are seen, supported, and never alone during their healing journey.
TO DONATE:
1. Venmo Eugenia-Chu; or
2. Paypal chueugenia@yahoo.com
Other ways to help (see below for more info and fun pictures!): 1. Purchasing “Dash Supports Breast Cancer Awareness” T-shirts and merch at http://tee.pub/lic/tGsltTQ-Vpl (ALL proceeds go toward funding the Cancer Care Baskets, with any remaining going to cancer research); 2. Writing encouraging notes to patients through our Note Writing campaign to cancercarebaskets@gmail.com; 3) Following and sharing this project on Instagram and other social media https://www.instagram.com/cancercarebaskets/; 4) Collaborating with us by donating items for the baskets (at least 10 items or sets since we donate 10 baskets at a time, please).
Hi! I’m Brandon! I started this initiative with my mom back in 2018 when I was still in elementary school. My great-grandmother suffered from breast cancer and passed away before I ever met her. We started this project in her memory and in honor of all the great women we know who have endured this disease and the treatment. Since we started this project, I’ve seen breast cancer affect even more friends and family. In fact, my grandma faced it in 2024, and my mom just last year in 2025. Such a terrible disease but thankfully they are both fine now!
Our dog, Dash, helps out, too!
Since the beginning we have worked with Mount Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Center to create the Cancer Care Baskets for breast cancer patients being treated in South Florida. Our goal is to help them feel more comfortable during this difficult time in their lives and to let them know someone is thinking of them and rooting for them. We keep improving the baskets by applying a data-driven approach to maximize impact through research and questionnaires.
This was my first time meeting Gail Brown, our Mt. Sinai liaison, back when we first started this project in 2018. She’s the best!
Now some info on the baskets!
💗 CANCER CARE BASKETS 💗
These baskets (lately we have been using backpacks because they are more useful) include*:
- ❤️aluminum free deodorant
- ❤️alcohol free mouth rinse that soothes mouth sores (EWG certified)
- ❤️fluoride free toothpaste (EWG certified)
- ❤️silky scarf
- ❤️comfy socks
- ❤️water bottle (BPA free)
- ❤️playing cards
- ❤️tissues
- ❤️crossword or word find puzzles
- ❤️pen
- ❤️wet wipes
- ❤️gum
- ❤️inspirational notebook
- ❤️calendar/appointment book
- ❤️stress ball
- ❤️ A discount on The Original Grace Relief Breast Cancer Pillow
And now, for a limited time:
❤️ Color Street dry nail polish strip sample, nail file and cuticle stick from Carol Nguyen of Carol’s Nail Tribe & Co
*Contents may vary depending on availability
💗 New Addition to Cancer Care Baskets – Radiation Care Bundles 💗
We have recently launched a new bundle to the Cancer Care Basket specifically for breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. After chemo, most breast cancer patients face several weeks of daily radiation. That stage comes with its own challenges, especially painful skin irritation.
This new basket is a radiation care bundle: a smaller, targeted collection of products that are proven to help protect and soothe skin during radiation treatments.
What’s in the Radiation Care Basket:
• ❤️Dove soap
• ❤️Aloe vera gel
• ❤️Aveeno cream
• ❤️Aquaphor
💗 TO DONATE 💗
Any donation amount helps!
TO DONATE:
1. Venmo Eugenia-Chu; or
2. Paypal chueugenia@yahoo.com
💗 DASH SUPPORTS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MERCH 💗
Another way to support the Cancer Care Baskets is by purchasing a “Dash Supports Breast Cancer Awareness” T-shirt and other merch (Dash is our dog pictured throughout this site)! 100% of the proceeds go directly toward funding more Cancer Care Baskets. Our goal is to reach even more patients and deliver baskets more often. Any additional funds will go toward cancer research. Check it out here: https://tee.pub/lic/tGsltTQ-VpI
💗 NOTE WRITING INITIATIVE 💗
Please send your notes to me at canacercarebaskets@gmail.com and I will include them in future baskets. Thank you!
💗 COLLABORATIONS 💗
We are proud to share that we are collaborating with not 1, but 4, amazing people on our Cancer Care Baskets project:
Carol Nguyen of Carol’s Nail Tribe & Co has donated these beautiful Color Street dry nail polish strips, as well as nail files and cuticle sticks! They are long lasting, have no smell, are non-irritating and so easy to use! You can check them out for yourselves at: www.colorstreet.com/CarolDN
Charissa Bates, Triple Negative Breast Cancer survivor, mother and author, donated several copies of three of her books:
- We Find Joy, a picture book where (and how) a family finds joy after their mom is diagnosed with cancer. Includes tips from Charissa’s kids. Uplifting and powerful picture book.
- Cancer Messed with the Wrong Family “Create your own story” book, where kids write and illustrate their own book! Charissa lists ideas and prompts to help kids get started. What an amazing idea to keep kids busy, help them appreciate and find joy, and to give them an outlet to express themselves during this toughest of times.
- Standstill, a memoir sharing Charissa’s story from first learning she had cancer to conquering Triple Negative Breast Cancer.
Such wonderful books for the whole family. Check out all of Charissa’s books at: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Charissa-Bates/author/B0B21V1M
Breast cancer survivor, mother of three and author, Marquita Goodluck, provided us with her book, BK’s Mommy has Breast Cancer. This book is based on factual interactions with the author’s children, mainly her 7 year old son, BK – this story is told in his voice. All young children of breast cancer patients and their parents should read this book – it will help explain to young children the whole breast cancer journey in easy to understand and non-scary terms, and will give them ideas on how they can help. If you’re interested, you can purchase this book at: https://www.amazon.com/Bks-Mommy-Has-Breast-Cancer/dp/0692195807.
Darlene, the creator of “The Original Grace Relief Breast Cancer Pillow,” has offered a 10% discount on these amazing and beautiful pillows which provide relief for those who have undergone a mastectomy or lymph node removal. If you know anyone who is having these procedures done, check out this site and all the 5 star reviews: http://etsy.com/shop/GraceDesignCo. Use Code GIVEGRACE10.
💗 Big shoutout and thank you to our previous collaborators 💗
Payal Bawa Kapoor, who generously donated gorgeous luxurious pashminas and super comfy socks to our baskets!
Jennifer Tse and her organization, WIN! Women in NAAAP (National Association of Asian American Professionals – Miami), who donated these beautiful pink purses, by Blingalicious Accessories! For more info about NAAAP: www.naaapmiami.org.
Grace Laundromat, who donated these amazing smelling, high quality hand sanitizers, and protective face masks! You can get your own at: https://gracelaundromat.com
Shero USA, who donated these copper infused face masks! You can find them at: https://www.sherousa.com/collections/masks
The fabulous skin care specialist, Chris Kale Corcoran, who donated the EVER Hydralift Moisture Injection Cream. The breast cancer patients were beyond excited and surprised to receive such a luxurious treat!
We are so happy and feel so fortunate to be able to collaborate with such wonderful people! If you would like to donate anything to be included in our Cancer Care Baskets, please do not hesitate to contact us at cancercarebaskets@gmail.com. Thank you!
💗 SPONSORS 💗
THANK YOU to all the following sponsors who donated from their hearts (and wallets!) to bring a smile to a stranger’s face. The breast cancer patients receiving these baskets are always surprised, touched, and thrilled by your generosity and thoughtfulness.
DIAMOND SPONSOR
- Cure Diva (31 baskets!!!) 😱😍❤️
PLATINUM SPONSORS (5-10 baskets) ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️:
- Shero USA
- Amy Ryan
- Kacey Bennett Goldstein
- Dennis Gingrich
- Chinese Learning Center of Miami
- Melissa Lustbader
- Peter Matias Cejas
- Nithya Nagarajan
- Lauren Monks
- Monica Otero
- Susan Chu
- Kristyn Schwartz
GOLD SPONSORS (3-4 baskets) ❤️❤️❤️❤️:
- Angela Chu Tam
- Madeleine Prosperi
- Carmen Casadella
- Rachel Hecht Silverman
- Camila Quesada Sharpe
- Becky Villareal
- YY Chan
- Angelika Dimoka
- Kim Brown Brannon
- Kris Dopera Wertman
SILVER SPONSORS (2 baskets) ❤️❤️:
- Rose Lubin
- Gina Zanardelli
- Lourdes Latour
- Jim White
- Renee Woodward Baciak
- Victoria T.D. Ficklin
- Harold Gerry
- Ileana Cruz-Bongini
- Franky Lucero
- Barbie Almeida
- Lianne Clark
- Alex Carver
- Jessica Carden
- Maria LaPietra Guerrero
- Michele Wong McSween
- Angelika Dimoka
- My Brandon! 😍
SPONSORS ❤️:
- Helena Chu
- Kris Dopera Wertman
- Maritza M Mejia
- Tamarra Hay
- Elizabeth Beaton
- Merle Shama
- Nancy Goldstein
- Vish Malige
- Susan Chu
- Bins Latham
- Tim Hartmann
- Shante Hicks
- Vivian Blanco
- Hector Delrio (Gio)
- Norabeth Wiley
- Meisy Koo Chong
- Rina Liou
- Linda Hoang
- Juanita Chen
- Lan Wong
- Gregg Ormond
- Elena Ogorodnyk
- Bruce Arrington
- Pipe Dream Books
- Maryann Chu
- Laura Lockhart
- Adore Neko Books
- Yanmei Li
- Amy Freed Stalzer
- Mike and Jaclyn Addeo
- BaKon Brands
- Tracy Guan
- Dorktales Storytime
- Jessica Mason
- Lara Gonzalez
- Anna Smithers
- Eliza Hsu Chen
- Krista Poth
- Marcela Brue-Lotz
AND thank you to all our unnamed sponsors who wish to remain anonymous! We know who you are and appreciate your generosity and big hearts! 😍
Finally, thank you to Lisa Blake Ament, who gave us the idea for this project and who does something similar for breast cancer patients in the Philadelphia area. She also supplies us with the wonderful Modere products for our baskets! 💕
If you are interested in starting a similar project in your area, would like to donate items for the baskets or have any questions about this project, please feel free to contact us at cancercarebaskets@gmail.com. Thank you!