“Get Better, Get Well Gifts” at ButYouDontLookSick.com! Let us help you find that perfect gift!
Sometimes, when flowers smell, cards get old, and no amount of humor is going to be funny, you are at a total loss for what to give someone who is going through a hard time. You want to give something that tells your friend or loved one, you are thinking of them. You don’t want to shy away while they have become sick. You want to let them know in an unique, yet useful way that you do care and you have done your research. You are not going to stop being their friend. The best gifts are the gifts that are not only a present, but give to a charity related to what your sick friend may be going through, or a gift in memory of someone they loved. In these hard economic times, I like a gift that does two things, gives someone something to open and makes them smile, but also a gift of a donation to a charity that can help others. Giving a gift that gives to others.
I think the best gifts are gifts that “give back”. Gifts that either donate a portion of the proceeds to charity, or are inspired by patients, made by patients, etc. Some non for profits have the greatest gifts available. If you haven’t shopped for some of the products listed below, you are totally missing out. There is a huge variety in price range, as well as type of gifts, so check it all out and let us help you find that extra special gift for someone who needs it. Some of the organizations listed below may be familiar to you, but others may be new organizations that could use the help to grow while helping others.

1. Perfect for that Young Cancer survivor or family member. Love Hope Strength Foundation (LHSF) is an international charity with chapters in the US, UK and Australia. Founded by leukemia survivors Mike Peters of the Welsh rock band the Alarm and President of CSI Entertainment James Chippendale, with the goal of providing all cancer patients with the same opportunities that they had; including access to information, quality cancer treatment and the best medication available.
Wear your camo! Why? After being diagnosed for the first time, and while on tour with his band the Alarm, a faith healer revealed to co-founder Mike Peters that green was the healing color of life. Throughout six months of
intense chemotherapy he continued to play and perform in his trademark green combat fatigues, to symbolize his “battle” against cancer. This has now become our symbol of health and strength. The Carved in Stone Live CD is
only $5.99 Recorded live at Red Rocks!U2 – Sunday Bloody Sunday Stevie Ray Vaughn – Pride and Joy Coldplay – Politik The Roots – Break You Off Soniadada – Screaming John Gov’t Mule – Soulshine Tori Amos – A Sorta
Fairytale Ben Harper – Diamonds on the Inside Willie Nelson – Beer for my Horses R.E.M. – Pretty Persuasion
For more information check out: lovehopestrength.org

2. The LIVESTRONG collection from Nike gives 100% of its profits to the Lance Armstrong Foundation which supports cancer survivorship programs and works to make cancer a national priority. The Nike name always means quality and when teamed up with a great cause this makes a wonderful gift. Everything in this collection is in the signature yellow and black LIVESTRONG colors. There are a variety of products in different price
range. From hats to bags, to tee shirts and the famous yellow rubberbracelet. I have been wearing the hat all week and I love it. The sneakers come in men’s and womens and are the same great sneaker styles you have grown to expect from Nike, but you can feel good about purchasing this product. It is rare to find a product or company that gives 100 percent of its profits to any charity, so this is a product I am going to support, and I encourage you to shop there too! This is a perfect gift for anyone, but especially for someone who is going through physical therapy, or rehab etc. To buy your LIVESTRONG Items from Nike check out: Nike.com
3. Ann Veronica hand printed bags has made a beautiful bag called “Bravery” with pink ribbons printed on it, just in time for Breast cancer Awareness Month. The company’s owner, Ann V. Perrino, designed the print when she learned of a friend’s diagnosis and ordeal with breast cancer. 10 percent of sales from all items featuring the ‘Bravery’ print will be given in support of breast cancer research. These bags are super cute and would make a great gift for anyone, including you. Ann Veronica bags, apparel and accessories are sold throughout fine apparel and retail specialty stores, at the company’s Maine studio and online at www.annveronica.com
4. Most times when you make a donation to a non for profit, you may get a gift. Although it is nice to receive a thank you, it usually is a gift that you would never really use, or you might have a lot of like keychains, stickers, hats, tote bags, etc. I was so pleasantly surprised to see the HUGE store for the American Cancer Society. It has a wide selection of quality gifts that you would want to give or receive. ALL proceeds from shopping this store will go directly to the American Cancer Society, Relay For Life, and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. The new online store isnot currently taking orders, but will be soon. In the meantime if you would like to place orders just call the toll-free customer service hotline:888.735.2943.
They have very pretty styles of fitted Tee shirts, hoodies and more for any fashion forward woman. They have camouflage, denim and Hawaiian shirt styles. One of my favorite items in the store was actually a journal with the words “Fear Nothing” on the cover. I use this journal to keep notes whenever I go to doctor’s appointment and it reminds me to be strong and brave. Even without cancer this logo/ message stuck with me. To point out the variety
and quality of items in this store, I must mention the bathrobe. This bathrobe is soft, fluffy and well made. It is something I would have to go to a more high end store to find. If you are looking for a specific gift, in this case a
bathrobe, then why not look in a non for profit’s store to see if they carry a quality version of whatever it is you are looking for. Then not only do you get a great gift- but you can feel good knowing your purchase went to a
worthwhile cause! You can shop at the American Cancer Society store here:http://www.acsgiftshop.com/
5. Verymeri’s tagline is called “FUNdraising to a tee”. As soon as you see one of these adorable tee shirt designs for kids you will understand why fundraising with them is FUN! Verymeri.com works hand-in-hand with schools, camps and non-profits to host t-shirt design contests and fundraisers for kids. Participating organizations receive 20% of the sales of the tee shirts. The organization first holds a T shirt design contest. It is so simple, it almost seems too easy and fun! Kid’s first submit ideas for t-shirts, then vote on their favorite, and the chosen design is made available for sale. Some of the designs are very basic, and cartoon like. Others are more complicated and very artistic. My daughter loves the shirt with a cartoon dog that says woof! How cute! I love the idea of getting kids involved in the process of helping others, and if they can make and wear cute clothes in the process even better! Use this store to teach kids at a young age how they can help others. Check them out at: verymeri.com
Written by Christine Donato and the bydls.com staff, ©2008 butyoudontlooksick.com
* In addition to the ideas listed above, many times you can show support by purchasing one of those rubber “awareness bracelets” or “ribbon” car magnets for which ever organization you wish. Most causes have a gift shop listed on their website in which the proceeds from their purchases go to that charity.
I volunteer for the Lupus Alliance – Long Island/ Queens Affiliate You can purchase Lupus Awareness bracelets here, and purple lupus ribbon car magnets here. Tell them Christine from bydls.com sent ya! 🙂