Classroom Gift for Child Getting Chemo

I agree also you might want to look into getting a portable dvd player, with some of her fav movies, also you can get her a nintendo DS Lite they can either get her the videos they make for it or games. you can look up ChildsPlayChairty.Org there an org that people donate games etc to kids in hospitals, you can also look up other peoples wish list for kids that are in childerns hospital,

I would think some age-appropriate books, coloring books, something soft and cuddly would be wonderful. The situation is difficult to deal with, so just knowing that the class is thinking of her will certainly help.

We did this for one of my students (whose mother was also a friend) and she LOVED it!

We did a tote bag full of...
- Socks b/c hospitals are cold and so are homes at this time of year. We found all kinds of "wacky socks"
- Nail polish to do mani/pedis on herself, mom and the nurses! The nurses at the hospital were great and would "make appointments" to ge their nails done before they left their shifts
- New crayons/stickers/doodle pads
- Stationary pre-addressed to the school/class for communicating while she's out
- Something to cuddle when she isn't feeling good
- Mints and hard candies (their mouths get so dry)
- Cool "twitsty" straws (again, dry mouth)
- Hand-written cards or pictures from the students, families and faculty. We had a huge envelop of them and gave them to mom who gave her a few each day.
- "Travel size" board games
- Old Maid/ Go Fish cards

Remember that she's young and she's going to be wiped-out. Find things that she can do with someone else or that someone else can do for her.

Be sure that you choose things that can be wiped down or sterilized easily since, after chemo she will have a very weak immune system and not be allowed contact with a lot of things. Some things the hospital recommends are
Thick soft socks
Warm fleecy blanket
Knitted hat
Hypoallergenic, all-natural hand and body creams
All-natural soaps, shower gels and shampoos (fragrance free)
Gentle toothpaste (try Tom's brand, very good, also their mouthwash)
Colloidal oatmeal soap
All-natural healing lip balm
Mints, lemon drops and gum
Peppermint tea
Green tea
Ginger tea
Ginger capsules
Queasy Drops
A mug with an encouraging message
Packets of instant chicken noodle soup
Plain crackers, sugar cookies, low salt nuts, dried fruit
like figs, pineapple, cherries, blueberries
Healthy, all-natural, organic, preservative free treats like Yum Yum Snacks
Crystallized ginger
Gourmet peanut butter like PBLoco
Audio books
MP3 player or Ipod
Selection of notecards with pre-stamped envelopes
Prepaid phone calling or SMS gift card
Gift certificates for restaurants that deliver
Books or magazines they will enjoy or be inspired by (suggestions below)

I agree with the socks and fleece blanket and a stuffed animal so they can cuddle when they don't feel good. I think the ipod is a brillant idea. movies and a portable dvd player if not out of budget. so she can lay around a watch movies. picture frame for a picture of mommy and daddy and maybe the class picture. a big poster signed by all of the kids. with hand prints on it. a funny wig since their hair falls out or ball caps.or flydanas. if you get a ball cap you can make one for all the kids that order one and put something on it and give her one so she will still be part of the class. ask the teacher to allow all the kids to wear ball caps when she comes back so she feels loved. as far as that goes that could be a fund raiser for other items for her and it could go to more than just the class. sell the ball caps to any of her friends. if she is in grade school I suppose the school will allow the fundraiser ball caps only even if ball caps are against the rules. teachers will probably buy them too. cancer patients need hope and that is sending a message of hope to her. on the ball cap you could actually put just the word hope. go just one color and I suggest black cause its nuetral. I think what your doing is a great idea and a very loving gesture. have fun with it.

I think this is a great idea ! What about a basket with some games, coloring books, colors, a warm microfiber blanket, a sports bottle with her name on it for something for her to drink ? Stuff that she can do while getting chemo (maybe a new movie or I-tunes card for her MP3 (if she has one)) and stuff she can do when she gets home and feels yucky. As far as asking parents, why don't you put together a little newsletter/flyer for the teacher or director to post or give out. Ask them what they think - either for the parents to give money for your to pick up stuff (the director maybe could be the "administrator" of the money) or if everyone wants to bring something. Then you could have it up at the school the day you were going to take it to her so everyone could see it. And the class could do a card to go with it.

I would suggest an "I feel crummy and need something to do" basket. Ask the families involved to contribute items to go in the basket. This is a great basket because the kids are the same age. Ask them what books they like, what kind of coloring / marker stuff. video tapes, snacks, etc... they like. get some books on tape and a snuggly fleece blanket. Maybe even make the kind that the kids tie the strings on and the kids can all help to tie the strings. , the little girl can do whatever strikes her fancy when she feels like it.

What a nice idea! How thoughtful of you to coordinate this.

How about a Pillow Pet? Also coloring books, some little dolls (Polly Pocket or Barbie maybe), some of those foam craft kids where all you have to do is put on the foam stickers. Stickers and glitter glue are fun for girls that age, too. If she's going to be home, a play doh set. My daughter has always liked slippers, and they have all kinds of cute ones at the stores. Kid friendly nail polish (if okay with the mom--if not, maybe the stickers for nails) and other dress up items are fun, too.

My sister had a big gund teddy bear that she would take with her. It was so important to her. She started a teddy bear picnic day so that everyone could have one. My family continued it for years. Eveyone has so many good ideas... i thought i would add this one :) The little girl is in my thoughts and prayers.

This would be a great addition to your gift basket for the little girl:

http://www.wondercapes.com/about-wonder-capes.html

I think you have gotten some great ideas. I'd see if the school would let all this kids design a nice big card for her they make themselves.

Craft items, foam craft kits, coloring books, paper, crayons, maybe a new movie? Fuzzy socks, a new pair of pjs? A blanket?

One of my best friend's daughter has gone through this several times. Some kids handle chemo better than others, but for the most part it's hard to do most things. I made up a movie basket. I purchased a movie that she didn't have and gave her snacks like Cheez-its and believe it or not she loved beef jerky when she was sick from the chemo? Ask her mom. I'm sure she has certain foods that do not upset her tummy when she is going thru these horrible treatments. Our neice was diagnosed in high school and had to undergo chemo. I made up a basket for her,as well that included a movie, teen mags, card games like Uno and regular cards. I also gave her Cheez-its and she that was one of the only things that she could eat, that would not upset her stomach. Might be worth a shot.

Hi,

I'm so glad I saw this post, because I just got this email this morning:

Dear Friends and Colleagues:

I am excited to inform you that I have teamed up with the Chicago Bulls and the Reinsdorf Family to offer families free tickets to the Bulls game. We will send families that have children fighting cancer to the game - there will be 4 tickets plus free parking. The tickets become available within 24-48 hours before the game.

In fact, I have 4 tickets available tonight, Monday the 8th - the seats are in a suite! Respond asap if you know a family that can go. Last week, the families sat 10th row center! Every game is different because the seats get released just a day or two before the game.

This program will continue throughout the season so if a family can't make one night, I can probably offer them for another game. I will contact the family directly and, if I don't hear from them in about 30 minutes, I need to move on to the next family because of time constraints.

What I need from you...

1. Name of family: One adult's name who we will have on the Will Call list. Plus the child's name.
2. The family's contact adult info: email and cell
3. The family's home address so we can send photos to them (if Benny the Bull takes a photo with them - not guarenteed)

I'm looking forward to working with all of you for this season and for seasons to come,

Paul Sweetow [____@____.com]

(Hope this helps!!)

Just an added note to all these wonderful ideas-how about a window bird feeder? It attaches to the window with suction cups and brings chickadess, finches, nuthatches and sometimes little woodpeckers and cardinals. While she is in bed recovering, it might be nice for her to watch the birds. You can buy them for under ten dollars at a Farm and Fleet. Be sure and buy black sunflowers seeds to go with it.

You've gotten tons of great ideas. This is not exactly new, but I would definitely include books and "books on tape" -- even when she may be too tired to sit up and do a puzzle, an adult will be with her who will appreciate the chance to read new books. When she just wants to close her eyes, she can listen to the books on tape. Also, a quick call to the pediatric oncology dept. at a hospital will give you lots of good ideas, too. The Pillow Pets are a HUGE things with kids this age and could be comforting as well as practical. Whatever you choose, I'm sure the whole family will appreciate your thoughtfulness.

One of my son's preschool friends was undergoing chemo the entire time he was in school with him.

Our class talked with his mum and we all chipped in to get a plush iDog http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3... for him and the kids all painted pictures for him.

The iDog was his favorite thing. He could hold it and hug it and it would play not only his favorite music that his parents would download, but also books on tape.

I'm with another responder that suggested basket... have the class put together things to entertain her while she has to be in the hospital, or laid up in bed. Coloring books, puzzles, color-wonder stuff, playdoh? Whatever people can think of that they can add to keep a young girl entertained during a terrible time. Movies, games, stuffed animals, pillows, etc.
Maybe a gift certificate somewhere to help the family? (Grocery store, etc.)

make a basket up.. you can put a book.. like biscuit book.. they are fun books, one coloring book, crayons, stickers are great..., a bracelet from a place like claires, it;s near the holidays.. how about the dollar store.. go there.. they usually have a jingle bell on a string that she can wear around her neck... maybe a lolli pop., and maybe a cute cuddly small teddy bear... if you get enough money.. maybe instead a gift certificate to a place like build a bear... where when she feels good.. mom can bring her to get her very own stuffed animal from the class.. say a prayer for her.. and if you wanted you could drop off a meal to her home.. or order a pizza for them.. these things really help ...

That is a lovely thing to do! I think anything you do to recognize her and help her parents is a HUGE weight off their shoulders.

I would set up a "dinner" calendar and have parents volunteer to take care of them with food for a short time during the chemo. I also think giving her a gift basket with books and art supplies, crowns, CUTE girlie hats for winter would be appreciated. Just acknowledging her will make a difference for her and her family!

Well done MOM!!!