New range of honest cancer sympathy cards offer kind thoughts without the usual clichés

A new range of honest sympathy cards offers the loved ones of people who have cancer to express their thoughts without the usual clichés.

The collection of cards, sold by stationery brand Thortful, have been created as part of a campaign for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is held every October, but will continue to be sold when the month is over.

All profits from the range will go to the charity Breast Cancer Haven.

Image: Thortful/Emily McDowell

The cards have been contributed by a number of different designers, and one in particular - Emily McDowell - drew her inspiration from her own experience of cancer.

'It was the loneliness and isolation I felt when many of my close friends and family members disappeared because they didn't know what to say, or said the absolute wrong thing without realising it,' she explained. 'Sympathy cards can make people feel like you think they're already dead.'

She added: 'A f*** cancer card is a nice sentiment, but when I had cancer, it never really made me feel better.'

Image: Thortful/SixEleven Creations

The cards feature a range of humorously honest slogans, including 'Laughter is the best medicine... until they find an actual cure for what you have', and 'I wish I could take away your pain, or at least take away the people who compare it to the time their hamster died.'

Others simply read: 'I'm here from you' or 'You are the bravest person I know'.

Image: Thortful/Polskadotty

A spokesperson for the brand told the indy100: 'The generic sympathy cards on the market simply don't express the thoughts and wishes that someone has for a loved one going through this difficult time. A cliche-free, personal card collection is definitely warranted and it gives back to such a great cause'.