About

Download a one-page flyer about us to print and share!

Mission

To bring smiles and solidarity to those affected by cancer, one kit at a time.

Vision

To provide adequate material and psychosocial support to help reduce stress and anxiety for a better treatment process.

About the Founder

Sonia Su is the founder and executive director of Kits to Heart. At age 24, Sonia was diagnosed with an aggressive type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. At her lowest point in treatment, Sonia received a sweet care package left on her hospital bed from a former patient. Upon receiving the gift, Sonia made a promise to herself that once well again, she would pay the kindness forward.

Having overcome the grueling treatments, she returned to school, earned her graduate degree from Georgetown University, and founded the nonprofit Kits to Heart. Her work has been recognized in local and national media for its efforts, with plans to reach more families nationwide. Now, Sonia manages the day-to-day operations of the organization and its volunteers to help assemble comfort items and non-toxic, environmentally responsible skincare and wellness products. Passionate about inspiring others, she also helps students start their own organizations to develop leadership and entrepreneurial experiences. Sonia finds joy in bringing joy and coordinating rewarding service projects for volunteers of all ages, and ultimately working to ensure other patients never feel alone or hopeless in difficult times.

Sonia also serves as a First Connection Volunteer for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, providing one-on-one peer support. As an ImmunoAdvocate for the Cancer Research Institute, Sonia was a speaker at its 2021 annual patient summit and featured as part of its 2022 10th Annual Cancer Immunotherapy Month. She is a proud 40 Under 40 in Cancer honoree and 2023 L'Oréal Paris Women of Worth honoree.

Sonia can be reached at sonia@kitstoheart.org.

About the Organization

Take it from a three-time cancer survivor: The cancer journey is often a lonely one—full of anxiety, distress, and uncertainty. Yet, well-intentioned friends and family have no idea what to offer to cancer patients, and hospitals are not able to offer adequate material and psychosocial resources during and after treatments.

Founded in May 2020 in Clarksville, MD, Kits to Heart distributes thoughtfully designed, curated cancer care kits to hospitals and cancer centers, as well as ships directly to patients nationwide. Kits to Heart also offers an innovative Art for Cancer Wellness Program to further address the issue of loneliness—as well as to provide tools to heal and cope for patients, caregivers, and oncology healthcare workers.

Sonia uses her experiences and interactions with patients and social workers to pack the kits with informational resources and comforting products compatible with various cancer treatments. Just like receiving a care package from a survivor gave her hope and inspiration to pay it forward, we can inspire hope at the most difficult moments of treatments. Please consider supporting this cause today.