I've had the honor to accompany family members and friends to chemotherapy and radiation sessions. From these experiences, I've discovered practical and functional ways to mitigate many of the side-effects of the treatments.

I've also seen first-hand how important it is to acknowledge and nurture the body-mind-spirit connection. I've witnessed the power of hope and I've learned that well-being is not dependant on being free from illness.

Providing gift bags and specialized kits is way to share what I have learned and will continue to learn about those experiences.

It's amazing how the lessons that we take away from these intense experiences can also be life-affirming. Outside the door of my Mom's hospital room on the oncology floor was a poster that read:

"Our lives are not determined by what happens to us, but how we react to what happens; not by what life brings to us, but by the attitudes we bring to life. A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events and outcomes. It is a catalyst ... a spark that creates extaordinary results."

I always marveled at how perfectly that sentiment described my mom. It's been an inspiration for me. I want to be part of the chain reaction of positive energy.

~ Maureen Moo-Dodge

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In December 2004 my Grandmother died of endometrial cancer. She was an extraordinary woman who stayed positive and engaged until her death. She died at our house surrounded by her family. We miss her and always will.

Three years later the 2007 holiday season was going to mark my mom's return to the routines that our family established over the years. That plan seemed doomed to fail when late that fall my mother emailed me that three dear friends were receiving treatments for cancer; one friend had lung cancer, one friend had breast cancer and one friend had pancreatic cancer.

While home for the holidays I asked my mom how she was doing. Not well was the answer. She said it felt like an elephant was sitting on her chest making it impossible to take a full breath. She said that she knew that feeling helpless was doing a disservice to her friends. They were dynamic women who were responding to their new life circumstances in remarkably positive ways. She wanted to help them, but she wasn't sure how to do that.

What did make my mom feel better was going with her friends to chemotherapy and learning from nurses, doctors and technicians, and from other patients how to alleviate the negative effects of treatment while at the same time promoting and reclaiming a sense of well-being.

She started seeking out specific items and products and making sure that they were available to her friends. She got her friends engaged in reviewing products for her. Together they learned a lot.

That was the start of Chemossentials. I pointed out to my mom that she was already putting together gift bags and kits that provided very practical help. I just suggested that she offer her ideas to more people.

We sincerely hope that you, your family and friends never have to deal with cancer. However, if you do, having the option of giving a gift that can really make a difference in how you feel physically, mentally and emotionally, is empowering. It presents the added benefit of banishing the elephant and letting you take a full breath.

~ Jessica Dodge