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A survivor of cancer has answered the question family and friends of sick love ones are too scared to ask: What do you say when someone is about to undergo one of the biggest fights of their life? When they have been diagnosed with a disease so cruel no one should have to go through it?
Emily McDowell, 38, is one woman who took her own experience with cancer and has channelled it into empathy cards she now sells to the public. The cards were released last week, ranging from funny to kind to awkward. They aim to cut through the ‘fluff’ that too often surrounds the topic of cancer by revealing what survivors really want to hear: the unembellished truth about a cruel, senseless, disease.
Some of the cards say, “Please let me be the first to punch the next person who tells you everything happens for a reason,” and another says, “I’m really sorry I haven’t been in touch. I didn’t know what to say.”
McDowell says her Etsy store has already been flooded with orders.
The best advice she can give loved ones lost for words is to steer away from cliches and attempts to relate to their experience as it “makes you feel worse.”
Her advice? “Say ‘I love you,’ and ‘I’m here for you,’ ” McDowell told CTV News Channel
You can purchase these cards here.
Click through to see her full collection of empathy cards, and share them with all your friends for the next time any of you have to deal with a situation like this.
Empathy Cards.
Empathy Cards.
Empathy Cards.
Empathy Cards.
Empathy Cards.
Empathy Cards.
Empathy Cards.
Empathy Cards.
Empathy Cards.
Empathy Cards.
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