Support Starter Kit Overview

After a cancer diagnosis, young adult patients and their supporters often face uncertainty about what is ahead, what support is available, and often don’t feel comfortable asking for or offering support.  The Support Starter Kit Program was developed to address these challenges. b-present collaborated with AYA cancer community survivors, supporters, health professionals, and researchers to design support boxes that foster connection and hope early in the cancer support experience. The boxes contain resources and activities thoughtfully curated with the goal of empowering patients and their supporters to stay connected during a challenging time.

How the Pilot Program Works

Thanks to the generous support of the I’m Not Done Yet Foundation, the Support Starter Kit Pilot Program is currently underway. A total 50 starter kit boxes (25 for patients and 25 for supporters) have been assembled and shared with to our partner hospitals. The boxes and are currently being distributed to patients and their designated supporters to improve their support experience and provide feedback.  There are two kit types:

• Moxie Box (MB-___) for patients
• Rally Box (RB-___) for supporters

The patient and their designated supporter will each receive matching numbered kits (e.g. MB-001 and RB-001 respectively).

The AYA PM Role in Box Distribution

As a distribution partner, your responsibility is to:

• Select patients (18+): Identify young adult patients likely to benefit from the box and participate in the feedback process (important for pilot success).
• Deliver boxes to participants: Deliver the Moxie Box to the patient and a Rally Box to the patient’s designated supporter (please ensure the 3-digit number matches for both boxes.
• Log distribution details: Make a note of date and kit numbers, to help us track usage and program outcomes. Also note if both boxes were provided to the patient, or if you were able to provide the Rally Box directly to their designated supporter.
• Emphasize the importance of providing feedback (and saving the feedback card) (it’s their link to start the survey process — and the $50 eGift card)

What’s Inside the Kits?

Each box contains resources and activities to foster connection, including:

• Welcome Letter: Designed by Chelsey Gomez at @OhYoureSoTough and written in the voice of YA patient or supporter who gets it
• Helpful Resources: A Supporter Roadmap, Elephants and Tea Friendship edition, supplemental guides, worksheets and tips
• Activities to encourage connection:  Including friendship bracelet kits, conversation starters, fun bingo cards, and Bestie Bucket List planners
• Cards to inspire, connect, support, and express gratitude: Affirmation cards, notecards, empathy cards, fill in vouchers and cards, notepads, and a phone timeout pouch to promote distraction-free moments
• Mementos: Kendra Scott friendship bracelets
• Food/transportation Gift Card: A $25 Uber/UberEATS gift card

Feedback Goals & Process

Patient and supporter feedback is crucial for assessing value and refining future editions. Participants are asked to complete three brief surveys over the month following kit receipt:

1. Survey 1 (upon receipt of box) – Baseline of AYA cancer awareness and support readiness
2. Survey 2 (two weeks after receipt)– Interim feedback on box items and support status
3. Survey 3 (4 weeks after receipt) – Final feedback on box items, support status, general feedback/recommendations for future boxes

Total time to complete all 3 surveys is about 15 minutes. As a thank you for their time, participants will receive a $50 eGift card once they have completed all 3 surveys. They will receive email reminders when it is time to take the subsequent surveys (complete with survey link).

Privacy & Participation

All survey data is collected using a unique kit ID number. Participants provide an email address only for survey reminders and eGift card distribution, with no further emails unless they opt-in for updates via our website. Data will be anonymized, and no personal information will be associated with the final summary of the survey feedback.

The Impact We Aim to Achieve

This pilot program seeks to evaluate how the kits improve communication, connection and support outcomes early in the cancer experience, reducing isolation and empowering both patients and their supporters to navigate the challenges together. The insights gathered will shape future versions, expanding the program’s reach and effectiveness.

Questions or Feedback?

We welcome your input! Please reach out with any questions or suggestions at [email protected]. Thank you for helping us make a difference through the Support Starter Kit Pilot Program.

A heartfelt thank you to our partner hospitals and AYA community advisors who contributed to this labor of love, and a special shoutout to our generous sponsors and partners: I’m Not Done Yet Foundation, Chelsey Gomez, Elephants and Tea, Kendra Scott, Em & Friends, and Knock Knock. Thank you for helping us ensure that young adults feel connected and supported after a cancer diagnosis. We are stronger together.