The Power of Gratitude: How Cancer Changed the Way I Live, Lead, and Give Back

By Jessica DeCristofaro

When I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, gratitude was the last thing on my mind. I was twenty-eight, terrified, and suddenly thrown into a world of chemo chairs, hospital gowns, and uncertainty. My life, once filled with plans and momentum, now revolved around lab results and treatment schedules. But somewhere between the fear and the fight, I discovered something that changed everything for me. Gratitude could exist even in the darkest moments, and it could transform not just how I survived, but how I lived and led.

During chemotherapy, I started a blog called Lymphoma Barbie. It was a space where I shared the raw truth about what cancer really looks like, the messy parts, the funny moments, and the tiny glimpses of hope that kept me going. What started as a personal outlet quickly became a community. People from all over began reaching out, telling me that my posts helped them feel less alone. That connection was powerful. It taught me that vulnerability could be a bridge and gratitude could be the glue that held it together.

When I finished treatment and finally heard the words “no evidence of disease,” I thought I’d close that chapter and never look back. But cancer had changed me too deeply. Gratitude had become my compass, and I knew I needed to give back. That’s when I wrote my first book, Talk Cancer to Me: My Guide to Kicking Cancer’s Booty! It was part memoir and part survival guide, a love letter to patients who were still fighting, and a reminder that hope can be louder than fear.

Even after the book came out, I felt like my mission wasn’t done. I wanted to turn gratitude into action and create something tangible that could comfort people during treatment the same way community and kindness had comforted me. That’s how Chemo Kits was born.

Chemo Kits started as a small idea, care packages filled with practical essentials and little touches of comfort for people going through chemotherapy. But it quickly turned into something much bigger. Each kit is more than a box; it’s a message that says, “You’re not alone.” From cozy socks and lip balm to journals and self-care items, every piece is chosen with intention and heart. Today, Chemo Kits are sent to patients all across the country, with proceeds supporting cancer foundations and hospitals that serve those in treatment.

Leading this business has been one of the greatest honors of my life. I’m not just an entrepreneur; I’m a survivor who leads through gratitude. Every email from a patient, every photo of a smiling warrior opening their kit, reminds me that purpose can grow from pain. Gratitude isn’t something you feel once and forget. It’s something you practice. It’s how I build my team, nurture relationships, and make decisions. It keeps me humble and reminds me why I started.

Gratitude also changes how I handle challenges. Running a small business means long nights, shipping delays, and moments of self-doubt. But instead of getting stuck in frustration, I try to look at it through a lens of perspective. I remind myself that I once prayed for the problems I have now. I once just wanted to be here.

As I work on my second book, Life After Cancer, I’ve realized that gratitude is the secret ingredient in both healing and leadership.

It grounds me when life feels chaotic and lifts me when I doubt myself. It fuels every word I write, every kit I pack, and every survivor I meet.

Cancer took a lot from me, but it also gave me a gift, the ability to see abundance where others might see loss, and to lead with love instead of fear. Gratitude didn’t just change my story. It helped me rewrite it, and now I get to share that story with the world.

Connect With Jessica

Instagram: @chemokits, @jessdecris