HoCo Cancer Survivor Supports Patients With Care Kits, Named L'Oréal Paris Women Of Worth

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — When Sonia Su of Columbia was 24, she was diagnosed with an aggressive type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. A grueling battle to stay alive lay before her. When she hit rock bottom, Su received a care package at the perfect time from a former patient. At that moment, she promised herself she would survive and pay the kindness forward.

Su not only beat her cancer, but returned to school and founded Kits to Heart. Her organization, founded in 2020, relies upon the helping hands of 5,000 volunteers to distribute 6,000 cancer care kits to patients across the country from her parents' basement in Clarksville.

"This March marked four years of being in remission, as well as the birth of my first child. While I continue to live with the physical and emotional effects of cancer, I feel very fortunate to be alive and have started a family of my own," Su told Patch.

Su earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from Boston University in 2015. Then in 2020, she received her master's degree in Asian studies from Georgetown University. Su and her husband and their baby live with their German shepherd in Columbia. She manages the day-to-day operations of Kits to Heart and the vast team of volunteers help assemble the care kits, which include comfort items and non-toxic, environmentally responsible skincare products.

"Last year, we also launched 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," Su said.

This year, Su was named a 2023 L'Oréal Paris Women of Worth honoree as the founder and executive director of Kits to Heart. She received $25,000 in funding to support her mission along with mentorship from the L'Oréal Paris community.

"Being named an honoree truly makes all the hard work over these years worth it, and I am deeply humbled to be honored alongside such beautiful women, inside and out," Su said. "We are extremely grateful for the funding that comes with this honor and are dedicated to expanding our impact in the cancer community. "

People who would like to request a cancer care kit for themselves or a loved one undergoing cancer treatments can visit kitstoheart.org. Anyone who would like to volunteer can learn more at the website. Ways to support Kits to Heart can find additional information on social media @kitstoheart.