We recently connected with Brandon Heller and have shared our conversation below.

Brandon, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

One day, back in 2018 when I was in 4th grade, my mom and I were brainstorming and trying to come up with a kindness project that was meaningful to me and could help others. We discussed some of the suffering we saw around us and/or heard about. Then the subject of breast cancer came up. One of my favorite people in the world (she wants to stay anonymous) had breast cancer a few years back. It was a very tough time for her and so it also affected us, her family. At that time my mom told me that my great-grandmother, whom I never had a chance to meet, passed away from breast cancer. I began thinking about what we could have done to help them while they were going through this terrible disease and horrible treatments. And then, “How can we help breast cancer patients now?”

I did lots of research on cancer care treatments, side-effects, and helpful products. That’s when I came up with the idea to make Cancer Care Baskets. These baskets would contain safe and gentle personal care products to use during treatments as well as items to keep patients occupied like puzzles and journals. I also included notes in each basket. The goal has always been to help breast cancer patients feel more comfortable during this difficult time in their lives and to let them know someone is thinking of them and rooting for them.

We contacted our local hospital, Mt Sinai Cancer Center, and they were thrilled to collaborate with us! Our liaison, Gail Brown, Mt Sinai’s breast cancer case worker, said no one had ever thought to do this with them before and that this would help so many patients – especially those who could not afford to purchase care items and those who were all alone.

This project recently became even more important because my grandma was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024 and then my mom just last year! They are both doing fine now but the project became that much more personal to me. I started to think of ways to make the baskets even more impactful by applying a data-driven approach to maximize impact through additional research and questionnaires.

Brandon, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a junior in high school now so we have been creating and donating the Cancer Care Baskets for 8 years so far. We started curating the Cancer Care Baskets after researching what kind of products help during breast cancer treatments. We discovered that one of my mom’s sorority sisters in Philadelphia, Lisa Blake Ament, was doing something similar and we contacted her for personal care supplies like aluminum free deodorant, alcohol free mouth rinse, and fluoride free toothpaste. We added things like head scarves, fuzzy socks, water bottles, puzzles, and so much more! We have also collaborated with several people who have donated practical as well as luxury items which have been such a treat for the cancer patients. We are always looking for collaborators and donors!

I think what sets me apart is that I strive to continuously improve on the baskets so they have changed, and will continue to change, over time as we continue to learn. We adjust the basket contents based on feedback from our Mt Sinai liason, as well as from breast cancer patients themselves, through our questionnaire. For example, we started out with baskets and now we use backpacks to hold all the items. The backpacks are easier to carry and are much more functional and reusable. I have seen cancer care packages for sale on Amazon and on different websites, but they are static and don’t change. Some of the items are great and others are less needed or wanted. I am continuously learning and gathering data to put together the most helpful baskets. I am really proud that I have been able to continue this passion project for so many years and apply what I learn at school and on my own to make these baskets even more impactful.

One thing I would like your readers to know about me and my Cancer Care Baskets project is that I have grown up making these baskets! As I grow and learn, I am always thinking of how we can improve the baskets and help more people. For example, I am currently taking Data Science at school and have applied what I have learned to create a questionnaire to analyze and determine the most useful and wanted products. From this information, and additional research, we have recently created 2 specialized baskets depending on treatment (chemotherapy vs radiation). I have also started a note writing campaign so that the breast cancer patients receive more than just my note, so they see that lots of people care and that they are not alone. From the survey, I know that notes of encouragement and support is one of the most desired things patients appreciate receiving.

I will also be taking machine learning and AI courses over the summer and next year and plan to apply what I learn to improve the baskets even more to maximize their impact. I am always learning and improving myself and the baskets.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

If you mean donors, that’s tough. It’s the most difficult part of this endeavor. We are always seeking donations and sponsors. We try our best to get the word out about the Cancer Care Baskets through social media (https://www.instagram.com/cancercarebaskets/) and by reaching out to companies who manufacture the items we purchase for the baskets. We have also reached out to local businesses to seek donations and collaborations.

Lots of our donors donate multiple times. We are so grateful to all our donors, but especially the serial donors! But we can only ask the same people so many times. Our biggest challenge is reaching new people and potential sponsors.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Recently, the best source of new donors has been from other people and organizations (like you!) sharing about this project. I have only just started interviewing about the Cancer Care Baskets – this is my second interview – and have already gained a few new donors! I hope your readers will be moved to help as well. There are many ways they can help:

– DONATE! We need funds to be able to purchase the basket items. Donate by: Venmo to Eugenia-Chu; or PayPal to [email protected].

– Purchase “Dash Supports Breast Cancer Awareness” T-shirts and other merchandise (all proceeds go to fund the baskets, with any remaining going to cancer research): http://tee.pub/lic/tGsltTQ-VpI.

– Join my note-writing campaign: simply write an encouraging note to a breast cancer patient and email it to me at [email protected]. I will print them out and include them in the baskets.

– Donate products to our baskets. Email me at [email protected] if you can help or would like to collaborate.

– Share this project through social media (we are https://www.instagram.com/cancercarebaskets/) or any way you feel comfortable.

Thank you so much for sharing my story and project!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://eugeniachu.com/cancer-care-baskets-by-brandon-and-mommy/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cancercarebaskets/
• Other: Questionnaire in order to help us improve our baskets – https://forms.gle/sLwcGmrJ3RgCarmVA