Art Journals for Cancer Patients
Earn 1 verified service hour for every 4 completed decorated journals.
Help create meaningful journals for adults affected by cancer. These journals can be used as appointment planners, symptom trackers, gratitude journals, portable notebooks, coloring books, or creative outlets throughout treatment and survivorship.
Volunteers are encouraged to transform store-bought journals into one-of-a-kind keepsakes with artwork, encouraging messages, and interactive pages.
Project Guidelines
We are looking for gender-neutral, hand-decorated journals that are suitable for adult cancer patients of all ages. Please avoid religious messages, political content, or references to specific holidays, and remember that many recipients are adults.
Each journal should:
- Fit inside a 12 × 10 × 4-inch Kits to Heart care kit box
- Begin with a store-bought journal
- Feature hand-drawn artwork and/or handwritten inspirational quotes on the front cover
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Include at least one decorated inside page with elements such as:
- Monthly or weekly calendars
- Bullet journal layouts
- Coloring pages
- Activity pages
- Hand-drawn artwork
- Handwritten encouraging messages
- Habit, gratitude, mood, or symptom trackers
Bullet journaling and creative layouts are always welcome!
Service Hour Requirements
To qualify for service hour verification:
- Journals must begin as store-bought journals that you personally decorate.
- The front cover must include original hand-drawn artwork and/or handwritten inspirational quotes.
- Using only stickers, washi tape, or decorative tape is not sufficient for service hour credit.
- At least one inside page must also be hand-decorated with calendars, artwork, coloring pages, activity pages, handwritten messages, or similar creative additions.
Blank, undecorated store-bought journals are always appreciated as donations but are not eligible for service hour verification.
Handmade journals may be accepted only with prior approval and must be exceptionally well-made and durable.
We Cannot Accept
- Undecorated store-bought journals for service hours
- Stapled or folded paper used as journals
- Composition notebooks
- Folded construction paper journals
- Journals made from folders or other makeshift materials
Creative Ideas
Need inspiration? Consider adding:
- Inspirational quotes
- Positive affirmations
- Floral, nature, or abstract artwork
- Mandalas or coloring pages
- Doodle prompts
- Goal-setting pages
- Gratitude logs
- Mood or symptom trackers
- Appointment or medication logs
- Weekly and monthly planners
Your creativity can provide comfort, encouragement, and a sense of control during a difficult time.
Recommended Blank Journals for Decorating
Kits to Heart earns from qualifying Amazon purchases, which supports our mission at no extra cost to you.
- 24-Pack Blank Lined Journal Set
- 15-Pack A5 Kraft Notebooks, 60 Lined Blank Pages Travel Journal
- 24-Pack Blank Journals Bulk Set, Small Kraft Paper Notebooks
- 24-Pack Blank Books, Unlined Pocket Size Notebook Bulk Set
- 24-Pack Blank Notebooks
- 24-Pack Large Blank Notebook 8.5x11 Unlined Journals
Recommended Supplies
- 15-Pack Zebra Pen/Highlighter
- Scrapbook paper and stickers
- Glue stick and scissors for the scrapbook paper
- Inspirational stickers
- Motivational stickers
- Floral stickers
- Dried pressed flowers
How to Submit
Please follow these steps to ensure your work is received!