About Susan's Gifts
Rona Buchbinder and Tracy A. Wood are the founders of Susan's Gifts. The company was named to honor the memory of our sister and aunt who lost her courageous battle against breast cancer, but who never lost her sense of humor. She inspired us by living according to this guiding principle: "If you cannot put time in your life, put life in your time." While research progresses towards cures, Susan's Gifts offers comfort, care, fun and diversion.
Rona had a long and successful career at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center. The idea for this company developed over many years as she experienced surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatments on the road to becoming a cancer survivor. She started an informal network of cancer survivors who help newly diagnosed patients adjust to the news and support them as they grapple with treatment options.
Tracy brings her artistic talent to our company. A graphic designer, she created our logos, the brochure and other artwork. We are convinced that her middle initial "A" really stands for ARTIST!
Rona and Tracy created the three products offered by Susan's Gifts. Particular attention was given to items suggested by the network of cancer survivors from their own experiences. For example, one person undergoing chemotherapy had difficulty with dry and cracking skin which was very painful. After trying almost every cream and lotion on the market, she checked with a pharmacist who recommended Eucerin, which put an end to dry and cracked skin! That's why Eucerin is the lotion of choice in the CHEMO SABE™ bag.
Here's what people are saying about us...
TB sent us this:
"Thank you for providing the gifts you do. I think it's great that you have provided light-hearted alternatives to all the serious, darkly-colored, you-might-as-well-go-ahead-and-die gifts that I have seen on other websites. After looking at the umpteenth navy blue velvet box with crystal prayer angel and cancer poem, I almost gave up the search for a gift that I knew would make my friend smile. I want to thank you again for offering on your website a little sunshine in an otherwise dreary world."
JS had this comment:
"I looked forward to opening a gift from my CHEMO SABE bag every day and I will remember it with love and warmth. I have tears in my eyes just thinking about how much easier these days have been because of this gift."
TP let us know:
"I loved giving the CHEMO SABE bag to my sister. She was thrilled and said it took her mind off her treatments."
BJ told us:
"Your FIVE O'CLOCK BOX™ has been a real day-brightener, filled with so many of my favorite things!"
HL emailed us:
Thank you for developing this wonderful product! Well worth it compared to sending flowers or balloons. My friend truly enjoyed the many items in his FIVE O'CLOCK BOX.
RW said:
"A great gift was the lip balm. I have used it to its nubbin and it is the only one I never lost."
DS wanted us to know:
What a wonderful service you are providing! Each person who receives these gifts will be touched by the thoughtfulness you have put into each item.
SC wrote this:
"I just opened a package of bubbles which did exactly what it was supposed to do. It gave me a lift and a laugh. Thank you!"
KO shared this thought:
"I am truly enjoying opening the gifts one by one, and after I've opened a package I invariably smile."
CJ wrote us:
The website is beautiful! Seeing it "in print" really brings home the uniqueness of your idea!
SS had this to say:
"Thank you, thank you for the GLO bag. I loved it. The gifts were definitely a treat and lifted my spirit during my radiation treatment."
AJ dropped us a note:
"A friend of mine was a patient hospitalized because of breast cancer. I wanted to get her something other then flowers and loved the idea of the FIVE O'CLOCK BOX."
Would you like to share your experience with us?
Send an email to with your story.
