The holiday season can be a beautiful time of connection, reflection, and celebration. But for people living with blood cancer, it can also come with added pressure. Between the gatherings, to-do lists, and endless people to see, it can feel overwhelming.
To help you navigate the Christmas chaos with confidence and compassion, we asked members of our Lived Experience Engagement Program (LEEP) to share their best advice for making the festive season a little lighter, calmer and kinder to yourself.
What is the Lived Experience Engagement Program (LEEP)?
Created and facilitated by the Leukaemia Foundation, the Lived Experience Engagement Program (LEEP) is a group that is open to people living with blood cancer as well as their caregivers and bereaved loved ones (subject to eligibility criteria) and empowers them to share their personal experiences to help shape and improve our services, programs and advocacy.
How can I keep the holidays from feeling overwhelming?
Sometimes, the simplest strategies can make the biggest difference. For LEEP member Peter, staying grounded is key. “Stay with your routine. Don’t overindulge,” he says.
Maintaining and practicing what feels familiar – whether it’s your morning walk or coffee, medication schedule, or quiet time to yourself – can help you and your body feel more in control during a period that can often feel out of control.
Another LEEP member, Em, agrees that both setting boundaries and protecting your routine are very important. “You don’t have to say yes to everything,” she says. “It’s okay to choose the events and activities that are more important or more achievable to you – and say no to the rest.”
Sharyn echoes this very sentiment. “Be ok with saying no! People understand more than you realise.”
And for Kate, the secret is balance. “Allow yourself to celebrate but give yourself space to recuperate. It’s okay to take things slowly!”
How can I approach social gatherings to make sure I’m looking after myself?
The social obligation and pressure to ‘show up’ can be exhausting, but it’s important to remember that the people around you will understand if you simply don’t feel up to it on a given day.
LEEP member Liesel – who didn’t have the energy to cook or organise a gathering herself – found a creative and comforting solution for her family get-together.
She simply hosted the Christmas gathering at her house, in her own comfortable space, and asked her guests to prepare and bring a dish. This is a great way to get the best of both worlds – being with the people you love in an environment where you feel safe and comfortable.
Bring the family and festivities to you! I have an amazing family who brought Christmas to my house. That way we didn’t have the pressure to cook/host, but I was in my own space and could escape the crowd and rest.
Jenny wholeheartedly agrees with this sentiment – and stresses that it’s okay to lean on others when you need to. “Delegate what needs to be done so you can take care of yourself,” she says.
And Lauren reminds us that rest isn’t optional – it’s essential. “Listen to your body and prioritise rest. Giving yourself time to recover will help you heal and regain your energy more quickly.”
How can I manage financial or emotional stress during the holidays?
This time of the year can bring a mix of emotions with it – especially when you’re living with blood cancer. According to Alli, a healthcare professional, it’s important to take a practical and gentle approach when it comes to spending.
Make a budget and stick to it. Don’t do something this Christmas that you are going to be financially stressed about for the next year trying to manage the costs of. Quality time not quantity – for yourself and others.
She also reminds us that meaningful moments don’t have to come with a hefty price tag – and some don’t have to come with one at all. “You don’t need to spend a lot of money to do something together – it can be time at a park or doing a puzzle together.”
And if things feel heavy at times, you’re not alone. “It is okay to experience a range of emotions. If things get overwhelming, try and think of something each day that is awesome. Christmas lights, hearing a baby laugh, perfect seasoning to chip ratio.”
A final reminder
However you choose to spend the holiday season, protecting you and your wellbeing should aways come first – and that’s completely okay. Whether that means embracing quiet moments, asking for a helping hand, knowing when to say ‘no’, or reshaping traditions to suit your needs – it’s important to give yourself permission to do what feels right for you over the festive period.
Want to become a member of the Lived Experience Engagement Program?
If you’d like to give back to the Leukaemia Foundation or blood cancer community, find meaning from you or your loved one’s health journey, or improve experiences for people with blood cancer in the future, LEEP may provide the opportunities you’ve been searching for.
Learn more about the LEEP or check your eligibility.
