Stage 4 Cancer Survivor Sends 10,000 Chemo Kits Nationwide

When Jessica DeCristofaro went through chemotherapy in 2016, well-meaning friends sent flowers she couldn't accept because her immune system was too weak. That frustrating experience sparked an idea that would eventually comfort thousands of cancer patients across America.

Jessica was diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin lymphoma after visiting 10 different doctors who couldn't figure out what was wrong. By the time she ended up in the ICU, the cancer had spread to every organ in her body.

She spent seven months undergoing chemotherapy and radiation before going into remission. But the loneliness of that journey stayed with her long after treatment ended.

Jessica noticed that loved ones wanted to help but didn't know what cancer patients actually needed during treatment. Flowers weren't safe. Generic gifts didn't address the real struggles of chemo.

So she created Chemo Kits, care packages filled with practical comfort items she wished someone had given her. Each kit includes head wraps for hair loss, ginger candies for nausea, notebooks, and small inspirational items.

Sunny's Take

What makes these kits special isn't just what's inside. It's the handwritten note Jessica includes with every package.

She blogged throughout her entire cancer journey, and she shares that blog address with every recipient. Patients can read her story and know they're not facing this alone.

"Cancer took so much from me, and this is my way of healing," Jessica says. "My favorite part is that they can read my blog and see what I went through and then they're not by themselves."

The kits come in different versions for adults and children. They can be purchased online, donated by strangers, or found in some hospital gift shops throughout South Florida and beyond.

Jessica has now sent more than 10,000 Chemo Kits across the country. Each one represents a patient who receives emotional support from someone who truly understands their battle.

For families unsure how to support a loved one going through chemotherapy, these kits offer a meaningful alternative to flowers and generic get-well cards. They're a tangible reminder that someone who survived the same journey is thinking of them and cheering them on.