Hug in a Bag
Comfort for people facing cancer.
A thoughtful way to support people going through cancer treatment.
In partnership with The Treatment Bag Charity.
Funds raised help provide carefully curated care bags to patients receiving cancer treatment.
Hug Bags
Thoughtful care packages for people going through cancer treatment
A Hug Bag is a carefully curated care package given to people undergoing cancer treatment, offering comfort, reassurance and a reminder that they are not alone.
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Hug Bags are part of the work of The Treatment Bag Charity, a registered UK charity that has been supporting patients through NHS hospitals for many years
Gifted Smile fundraises to bring this proven scheme to the North.
Why Hug Bags Matter.
A cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming. Treatment is often tiring, frightening and isolating at times and not everyone has a loved one nearby to help or to know what might bring comfort.
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​Hug Bags are designed to arrive at a moment when kindness makes a real difference.
They do not treat the illness, but they do support wellbeing emotionally, practically and psychologically at a time when people are at their most vulnerable.
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​There is growing evidence that thoughtful, practical gifts can significantly improve wellbeing and quality of life for people undergoing cancer treatment.
What's Inside a Hug Bag?
Each Hug Bag includes thoughtfully chosen items such as:
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Organic herbal tea (and a mug) to help with chills
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Organic lip balm to soothe sore or dry mouths
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Dark chocolate - often one of the few treats people can still enjoy
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A calming sleep spray for restless nights
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Skin care products to ease dry, painful skin
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A soft hat
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A handwritten letter, offering kindness from a stranger
Contents are non-medical, carefully researched, and chosen to support comfort and wellbeing during treatment.
How and When Hug Bags are Given.
Hug Bags are delivered directly to NHS hospitals and oncology centres, where they are handed out by nursing teams at key moments during treatment.
“My job is made a little bit easier on the days I hand out Treatment Bags.” “I find I can discuss the side effects of the treatment whilst looking through the bag with the patient and we can talk about how helpful the treats will be.”
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CASS , HAMPSHIRE HOSPITALS NHS TRUST.
Bringing Treatment Bag Charity to the North.
The Hug Bag scheme is already a proven success in hospitals across the South of England and London.
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Gifted Smile exists to fundraise for The Treatment Bag Charity North, helping extend this work to Yorkshire and beyond — so that more people can receive the same thoughtful care at the start of their treatment journey.
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This Northern launch is not an experiment. It is the next step in a programme that has already supported thousands of patients and received heartfelt feedback from both patients and NHS staff.
Extending a proven programme to Yorkshire
How your donation helps
Your donation helps to:
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fund Hug Bags for NHS hospitals
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cover the cost of carefully chosen contents
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ensure bags reach people at exactly the right time
Each bag costs around £20–£21 to produce and deliver through hospitals.
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Some people also choose to purchase a Hug Bag as a gift for a friend or loved one with a cancer diagnosis, with proceeds supporting the charity’s wider work. If you would like to buy one to send, please get in touch so that we can send you details.
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Every donation, whatever its size, helps ensure this care reaches people when it matters most.
Help us spread the kindness
If you’re able to donate, your support will help bring comfort, dignity and reassurance to people facing cancer in the North.
​You can also help by sharing Gifted Smile with others and spreading the word about this important work.
Thank you for taking the time to be here.
REGISTERED CHARITY NO: 1177345
