Stockings of Hope returns!

This season, Stockings of Hope returns. Not just to raise funds, but to offer something real to people living with cancer — hope, comfort, and simple ways to feel supported.

Last year, Yes to Life launched something small that ended up meaning a lot to people. It was called Stockings of Hope, and at first, it was meant to be a year-end appeal to help raise money for the charity. But very early on, it became clear that it could be more than that. We didn’t just want to ask people for support; we wanted to offer something back.

Christmas can be a difficult time for people living with cancer. The world carries on as if everyone is meant to be happy, but many are managing treatment, side effects, tiredness, or worry. For some, it can be a lonely time. So instead of another fundraising push, Stockings of Hope became a way to make the season feel a bit lighter. We filled it with things people could enjoy or find comfort in — blogs written by people who understood, recipes that made eating simple and nourishing, short videos that shared small moments of calm or encouragement.

Stockings of Hope is not about big promises. It is about small, real things that make a difference in the moment. A story to read with a cup of tea. A message that helps someone feel less alone. A meal idea that made cooking a little easier on a low-energy day. These things might sound simple, but they matters.

The second edition of Stockings of Hope is here, and it’s grown from what we learned the first time. It’s still a year-end campaign, and it still supports Yes to Life’s work, but the focus is now on giving back. We want it to be a space where people can find something good for themselves or for someone else — not guidance, not instruction, just small pieces of care.

This year’s campaign includes new stories, more recipes, and different ways to take part. Everything is simple and down to earth. Some of it will make you think, some of it might make you smile, and some of it might just make you stop for a moment. That’s enough. The hope is that whoever visits finds something that fits what they need that day.

Yes to Life’s work continues in the background — helping people explore integrative approaches to cancer care, providing information, and making sure support reaches those who need it. Stockings of Hope helps keep that work visible, but it also keeps us connected to the people behind it. It’s a reminder that a charity is more than its projects or goals. It’s made up of the people who share their stories, the ones who donate, the ones who read, and the ones who quietly pass something on to someone else who might need it.

There’s something grounding about that. In a time when many people are asked to give, it feels right to pause and offer something instead. Stockings of Hope is our way of doing that — giving back to the same community that keeps Yes to Life going. It’s not about big campaigns or perfect answers. It’s about simple, thoughtful gestures that say, “We see you, and we care.”

Anyone can be part of it. You don’t have to donate or sign up. You can just visit the site, read a story, watch a short video, download the NoWorriesApp or share something you find there with someone who might appreciate it. Every visit helps keep the campaign alive and shows that there’s still room for genuine connection in the middle of a busy season.

Last year’s campaign reminded us that people want to be part of something real. This year’s Stockings of Hope is our way of keeping that going — not as an event, but as a gesture of gratitude and care. It’s about giving time, attention, and kindness, and trusting that these things, even in small amounts, make a difference.

You can explore the new edition at stockingsofhope.org. However you take part — by reading, sharing, or simply stopping by — you’ll be part of what keeps it going. And that’s what Stockings of Hope has always been about: people coming together in small ways that mean something real.

With Love and gratitude

Miquel Leon-Canete

CEO Yes to Life