Rosalie Maggio, author of the Book, "How to Say It" offers the following advice when putting together your greeting message:
Categories available:
Sayings with Humor for Family member or Chemo patient
Sayings that specifically Encourage and Support cancer patients
A saying for someone who is doing 3-day fund raiser walk of any kind
Sayings that specifically Support anyone
To Celebrate A Big Accomplishment, A Cancer Birthday, end of Cancer Treatment Plan or recovering from a serious accident:
C1. Hurrah – you made it through the therapy; I hope you feel like celebrating soon because YOU certainly are worth celebrating!
C2. Congratulations – let’s do something special together, like celebrate life!
C3. Congratulations on starting this new chapter of your life - getting used to a new "normal" but hopefully each day is getting better!
C4. Great job – you’ve gone from a Survivor to a SurThriver Girl® – wishing you so many thriving years ahead!
C5. This is the beginning of a new day. You can use this day as you will. When tomorrow comes, this day will be done forever; in its place is
something that you have left behind…I know you will let it be something good!
C6. This is the first day of another amazing and thriving year – Congratulations!
C7. Celebrating another birthday means celebrating another year of victory over cancer - Congratulations!
C8: Cheers, to life, love and happiness!
C9: Another year, another smile - congratulations!
C10: The song is for you, shall we dance?
C11: Never let the fear of striking out stop you from playing the game....You can do anything!
C12: Dance on your toes SurThriver Girl® ....it's easier for the sun to find you!
C13: Hope comes in small steps and it is important to celebrate each of them, so put on your dancing shoes girlfriend!
C14: Happy Birthday - Here's to less cancer and more birthdays!
C15: Hope comes in small steps and it is important to celebrate each of them.
C16: Happy Birthday is a victory song, and you are the Victor!
H1. You survived growing up in our family……so surviving this should be a piece of piece of cake!
H2. Your mission is simple ……..REMISSION!
H3. Bald is beautiful! You may have lost your hair during treatment but it has not changed how beautiful you still are.
Your spirit your strength, and your personality outshines us all! This is only a temporary situation, and I want
you to know I love you, with or without hair!
H4. If life is just a bowl of cherries, then cancer is the pits. Don’t forget to spit them out!!!!
H5. If the doctor tells you you’ll need a chemo cocktail, tell him/her that you’d rather have a martini!
H6. Cancer sucks but it could be worse. Thank God you didn’t marry John Edwards!
H7. If there are any positives about chemo, I guess that it is that you are saving money on hair products right now,
and your morning routine takes 20-30 minutes less. You can be a redhead today and a blond tomorrow.
Last but not least, you can remove your hair at any time for shock value!
H8. Who cares that you have less hair than most (guys/gals) you know….at least yours is going to grow back!
But seriously, battling cancer is really hard work, and I want you to know that I’m here to help in any way I can.
H9. There is a bright side to losing all your hair….you don’t have to shave your legs!
H10. I just figured out where the word “hat” comes from….it’s an acronym
for: “hair ain’t there.”
H11. Hair today…..gone tomorrow. Well, at least you don’t have to worry about blow dryers,
curling irons or hot rollers for a while. Enjoy the break! Seriously, it will grow back and in the interim,
we have another excuse to go shopping together, (hats!). Hugs and Kisses!
M1. You are 50% cancer sir-vivor, (tm) 50% super hero – never forget that!
L1. When I look at you, I don’t see cancer….I only see a woman (man) I love!
D1. Remember when we were young…and troubles were for someone else.
Not us. The good times would go on forever…But now, reality has stepped in
and you have cancer. I am here to listen, to cry with, to hold your hands
and look forward to tomorrow. You are not alone sweet girl!
D2. I said a prayer for you today, first to ask God to watch over your spirit
with healing. Second, for heaven to smile on you throughout this difficult
time in your life, and, third, to give you courage, strength and the will to
never give up.
D3. I’m sure you look forward to the day when you cross the bridge from
being a survivor to a thriver! I so look forward to celebrating that special
walk with you!
D4. Dear Lord – please help this beautiful dancer, as she fights to keep
time with cancer. Help her lose her sickness blues, and once again,
put on her dancing shoes.
D5. If you want to cry, I’ll get the Kleenex. If you want to eat ice cream,
I’ll get the spoons. If you want to scream loudly, I’ll open all the windows.
If you want to be alone, I’ll go away. If you want company, I’ll be there…
whatever you want…..
D6. Love yourself greatly during this time, because we do. You don’t have
to do this alone…..cling to your faith and call on your friends…and those
of us who have traveled your path before. You are going to make it through
and we are going to help you do it---Believe!
D7: "Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a fellow turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out.
Don't give up though the pace seems slow -
You may succeed with another blow."
- Anonymous
Breast Cancer Specific:
B1. I tried to think about whether having a breast removed can be a blessing
…….I don't know but I do know it will bring my heart closer to you whenever we hug!
B2. You may have lost your boobs, but I know you’ll never lose
your sense of humor and that has always been the best part about you!
Y1. Getting sick isn’t fair. Nobody likes to be tired and in pain, and all the
tests and treatments are not fun. Hang in there! When it gets to be too
much, just give me a call – I am here for you!
Y2. I know you are sick and tired of being sick and tired…..the tests,
treatments, missing school, hanging out with your friends. Let’s face it….
being sick stinks and can be downright scary! But I know you, you are
tough and will get through this. If you need to talk, I promise to be a good
listener.
Y3. To my brave (ninja warrior/warrior princess) – cancer sucks and
fighting it is really hard work, but I know you are so brave. You’ll fight
this cancer and I’m right here at your side supporting and fighting with you!
E1. Being sick with cancer has to be very lonely sometimes….I just want
you to know I’ll be with you all the way…..through the bad and ugly to the
hope and recovery. You are not alone in this journey…..please take my hand
E2. Living with cancer can have it’s ups and downs…at times you can be
sky high, soaring with hope and confidence that you’re are going to beat
the awful disease. Then the wind shifts…you hear bad news and the next
thing you know, it feels like all your hopes are crashing to the ground.
Please remember to always celebrate the hopeful times, the good news
and remember…whether you are feeling hopeful or discouraged, you are
never alone…you have so many family/friends who love and are praying
for your complete recovery. So, keep hoping, and keep fighting, because we are too!
E3. Whatever physical changes this journey takes you through…..you will
always be an inspiration, you will always be wonderful you!
E4. I am thinking about you during your cancer recovery. Treasure each
day and each new strand of hair!
E5. Where there is hope, there is life. If anyone can remind cancer who is boss, I know
it is you……
E6. Your illness does not define who you are…it is simply what is happening
to you right now. I’m here to lean on when everything becomes too much.
E7. You must be at the end of your rope, because I felt a tug…..I’m sending
you a really strong knot so you can hang on.
E8. Whoever said winning isn’t everything obviously never fought an opponent like
cancer…..Stay Strong!
E9. I know one thing – cancer has not changed the wonderful person inside
– you are still you, and that is a beautiful thing!
E10. I want to help and feel so helpless because I know I can’t take away
your cancer. This is a difficult time and I want you to know that I really care about you. You are
so often in my thoughts and prayers.........
E11. The human spirit is stronger than anything that can happen to it
E12. Sitting silently beside a friend who is hurting may be the best gift
we can give. Please let me sit by you…..
E13: Have Faith in Today, but also Embrace Tomorrow,...... it will be here sooner than you think......
To encourage someone who is doing a walk for fundraising:
W1:
Why do we walk?
S1. Never forget that you are not your diagnosis……..you are a person
we love and care about!
S2. Cancer – it’s only a word, not a sentence
S3. You are a winner – always have been – and this is a war, so we know you'll try to kick cancer’s butt!
S4. Rest and recover one day at a time. You need time to heal, and please
know that you are so often in my thoughts. I send you my warmest wishes
for a strong recovery and lots of good news from the doctors.
S5. The big “C” word really stands for caring, compassion and courage. They are all
part of your process of healing, and your strong will comes shining through!
S6. It often takes the power of a mighty storm to reveal a thing of
extraordinary beauty. So please hang on, weather the storm and expect
a rainbow. You will get through this, because you are amazing!
S7. I believe something good will grow from all of this.....and it will be you!
Faith related encouragement/support:
F1. But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar
on wings like Eagles, they will run and not grow weary. They will walk and
not be faint (Isaiah 40:31)
F2. He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down
like rivers. (Psalm 78:16)
F3. May the Lord guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought,
and strengthen your bones. May you be like a watered garden… And
like a spring of water whose waters do not fail (Isaiah 58:11)
F4. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and learn not on your own
understanding; In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your
paths straight (Proverbs 3: 5-6)
F5. Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified. Do not be discouraged,
for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9)
F6. Be not afraid. I am with you always. I have called you by name and
you are mine. (Isaiah 43)
F7. A little faith can make a BIG difference……
F8. Cast all your care upon him, for he careth for you (1 Peter 5:7)
F9. Sometimes there just doesn’t seem to be any answers that make sense.
It is at these times, you have to keep moving forward with hope and faith
knowing that, although it may not seem like it now, God truly loves you
and cares when you are hurting…..and so do I…..
F10. I’m sending you this note to remind the “cancer” that the only big
“C” in your life is CHRIST
F11. I asked God to wrap his arms tightly around you right now ----
enjoy the hug!
F12. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love
and of a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7)
F13: Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see....(Hebrews 11:1)
F14: I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart!
I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
Q1 Keep your face to the sunshine and you will not see the shadows
…………..(Helen Keller)
Q2 You gain strength, spirit and confidence by every experience in which
you really stop to look fear in the face……..(Eleanor Roosevelt)
Q3 The only courage that matters is the one that gets you from one
moment to the next……(Miglon McLaughlin)
Q4 “Come to the edge,” he said. They said, “but, we are afraid.”
“Come to the edge,” he said. They came. He pushed them and they
flew…………..(Peter McWilliams)
Q5 Courage does not always roar. Sometimes it is a quiet voice at the end
of the day, saying….I will try again tomorrow (Mary Anne Radmacher)
Q6 The two most powerful warriors are patience and time. (Leo Tolstoy)
Q7: "In life as in dance: Grace glides on blistered feet" -Alice Abrams
Q12: "Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time. Thomas Edison
Q13: "Tough times never last, but tough people do." - Robert Schuller
Q14: "Arise awake and stop not till the goal is reached." - Swami Vivekananda
Q15: "I may walk slowly, but I never walk backward." - Abraham Lincoln
Q16: "When the going gets tough, the tough get going." - Joseph Kennedy
Q17: "It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves." - Edmund Hillary
Q18: "Some of the greatest battles will be fought within the silent chambers of your own soul." -Ezra Taft Benson
Q19: "To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom." - Bertrand Russell
Q20: "Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Q21: "Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you
that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe your critics are right."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Q22: "What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Q23: "Little minds have little worries, big minds have no time for worries." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Q24: "Start where you are with what you have. Make something of it and never be satisfied.
- George Washington Carver
Q25: "I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take
the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I
succeed." - Michael Jordan
Q26: "When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it." - Henry Ford
Q27: "The only thing that overcomes hard luck is hard work." - Harry Golden
Q28: "Obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to
climb it, go through it, or work around it." - Michael Jordan
Q29: "My attitude is that if you push me towards something that you think is a weakness, then I will turn that perceived
weakness into a strength." - Michael Jordan
Q30: "The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places." -Ernest Hemingway
Q31: "Never, never, never, never ever give up!" - Winston Churchill