Sometimes all it takes is a small gesture to warm the heart of a cancer patient. It doesn't take anything huge. It shouldn't cause any stress or discomfort. And it shouldn't require a whole lot of thought. It should be simple. Simply simple.

A whole lot of small gestures spread a whole lot of cheer my way when I was knee-deep in cancer treatment and needed a lift. Cozy socks kept my feet and my spirits toasty. A package of brownies sweetened my sour days. Flowers brightened my dining room and my state of mind. Books left on my doorstep delivered knowledge and wisdom and a bit of humor to my world.

The options for spreading sunshine are endless. The list of possibilities could go on and on. Here is just a start -- a small list of small gestures that can make a dreary day downright delightful.

Give a hug
Send a handwritten letter
Make a homemade card
Write a poem
Give a journal
Deliver a candle
Make a home-cooked meal
Arrange for food delivery
Babysit children
Play with children
Drive to appointments
Go wig or hat shopping
Visit during chemotherapy sessions
Give something comfy -- socks, pajamas, hat
Do grocery shopping
Accompany to lunch, dinner, movie
Take a walk
Attend church
Have a picnic
Go fishing
Make a donation to favorite charity
Walk, run, volunteer, raise funds in honor of your special someone

Be specific in your gesturing. Trade a comment like "let me know if I can do anything" for "I'm going to come over and wash and clean your car on Saturday." Vague offers are rarely successful -- cancer patients are not likely to recall every general offer they receive and then manage them all into a schedule. It's just too much to consider in the midst of turmoil. But an offer that comes to life right before them is easy. It's effortless. It is truly a gift. A simple, priceless gift.

This summer, Dorothy Perkins is introducing a limited edition and exclusive line of fashion tees artistically designed by celebrities Nicole Kidman, Sharon Osbourne, Sienna Miller, Charlotte Church and Denise Van Outen to benefit Breast Cancer Care. The specialty tees, retailing at £15, go on sale Monday July 10th at the Dorothy Perkins website and in their 600 UK stores. £5 of each tee sale will go to Breast Cancer Care. Last year, Dorothy Perkins raised  over £1.3 million, through the pink wristband campaign in support of the breast cancer charity.

Nicole Kidman was only a girl when her mother battled breast cancer. Kidman chose her design because it represents the power and importance of support, comfort and care. Both family members and friends of Sharon Osborne have been diagnosed with breast cancer, and she chose her design using the symbol of a cross and heart to represent Hope, Peace and Love. Sienna Miller chose a quote that inspires. Denise Van Outen lost her grandmother to breast cancer last year and chose the rollerskate as her design because it reminds her of her childhood visits with her grandmother.

There are 50,000 tees for sale. I doubt they will last long. If you are interested, visit Breast Cancer Care Dorothy Perkins Little Tees for more information.

If you are a Tom Hanks fan -- and who isn't -- if you enjoyed reading the Da Vinci Code -- and who didn't -- if you plan on seeing the movie based on the book -- and many will be going to the theater to see this anticipated blockbuster movie -- and if you are into collecting memorabilia -- then I want to tell you about an eBay auction that went live today. Hanks donated a signed personal copy of the Da Vinci Code book he used while filming the movie to support the Macmillan Cancer Support cancer charity.

According to the folks at Macmillan Cancer Support, last September, IKEA Edinburgh store at Straiton invited Tom Hanks to their coffee morning, as part of Macmillan Cancer Support's World's Biggest Coffee Morning, as he was filming the Da Vinci Code at nearby Rosslyn Chapel. Unable to attend himself, he kindly sent his bodyguard with not only apologies but a signed personal copy of the book.

The highest bidder in the eBay auction will win this celebrity signed book that has sparked both interest and controversy around the Holy Grail mythology. The auction runs from May 19 - 29 with all proceeds going to Macmillan Cancer Support.

A new observational study reveals that women diagnosed with breast cancer who have supportive friends and family survive breast cancer at a higher rate than women who are socially isolated. According to researchers, "Social connections matter for breast cancer survival. Among women with breast cancer, social isolation may serve to limit access to care, specifically, informal care giving from friends and family, which may affect breast cancer outcomes."

University of California, Berkeley and San Francisco researchers found that women with close relatives, friends and living children each had greater breast cancer survival rates. In comparison, women who had no close relatives or friends were about three and four times more likely to die from breast cancer. Also, those who had no living children had a nearly six-fold increased risk of death from breast cancer in comparison to those with six or more living children. The rest of us with children, but less than six children, would fall somewhere in between those statistics?

Other research has shown that women who participate in breast cancer support groups faired much better in surviving cancer, than those who did not take part in a group. I believe it is the social connection itself that makes a difference, and can be any type of social support -- close friends, family, children, church groups, talk support groups -- as long as the woman was actively involved in the relationship. Past research has shown that the simple act of a hug positively alters the physical chemistry of the people in the hug. Human beings were not psychologically designed to be alone, and isolation without cancer can lead to diseases. We need each other. Empathy, compassion and love sustain us, mend us, give us hope, help us heal.