Women We Admire: Kellie Whitton

Kellie Whitton is the co-founder of CaraKit, a brand inspired by her personal journey through breast cancer and a mission to help women feel supported during medical treatment. After facing chemotherapy, surgeries, and radiation, Kellie saw the need for more than flowers and food—she wanted real, practical care. CaraKit was born to provide just that, with curated kits filled with comfort, insight, and hope from women who’ve been there. In an interview with Joylux, Kellie shares the moments that shaped her path and the passion that drives her work today.

Let’s start with the heart of your work—what inspired you to start CaraKit?

From the night before my first chemo session, after a beautiful nurse spent an hour on the phone updating me on the specifics and answering any questions I had, I felt shocked, educated and incredibly unprepared all at the same time. Why didn’t I know what chemo was like? How was this one woman able to provide a giant dose of knowledge for one of medicine’s most feared treatments? And how could I make it through considering all that was going to take place in 24 hours.

I was an educated businesswoman, I took calculated risks for a living, but I wasn’t prepared for this—and no one I knew could help me. As I went through the intense ups and downs of treatment, the women I wanted to hear from most were acquaintances or friends-of-friends who had been there—and they knew exactly what I needed to hear. The practical information with a dose of reality-based optimism.

Why didn’t we know more? Why weren’t friends told how to help? Why was I getting flowers and food baskets when I was spending my own money to reset my medicine cabinet for the next 4 months? I was always grateful for support of any kind, but I knew women needed something more—and their friends and families wanted to help more than they knew how to. That’s what inspired the creation of CaraKit.

For those who may not be familiar, what exactly is a CaraKit and what’s inside?

CaraKits are curated gift kits featuring needed “at home” products to deal with the side effects of medical treatments—not only for cancer (although that’s a big one). We offer kits and products for chemotherapy, radiation and for after surgeries—what we wish we would have had while we were going through treatment, especially the items we loved and used often. We also put in instruction cards with personal notes from women who have used the products themselves—detailing how and why they can be used for all the normal challenges we face at home after medical procedures of all kinds.

Cancer treatment can be overwhelming. How do your kits bring comfort or ease during that journey?

Cancer is such a scary word—it was for me, especially on the day of my biopsy results or when I had to tell people for the first time. But once I started speaking with others who had been through it, I felt supported, lifted, encouraged, stronger and hopeful. I didn’t love the pink ribbon for breast cancer (I’d barely said the word cancer and my own name together for a few days before I was sent pink ribbon swag—I love it now, but then it was just overwhelming) but I loved knowing that women who had gone through the same treatment I was gearing up for were living happy lives down the road, that it worked for them. They acknowledged the difficulties but were endlessly encouraging. Talking to them made me know I could do this. That’s the feeling we want our CaraKits to convey—certain products and tips can make at home life easier but more importantly, hearing from women who have been there makes you feel less alone on your journey.

What kind of feedback have you received from women who’ve received a CaraKit? Any stories that stay with you?

I find it hard to put into words the power of supportive friends and even new acquaintances who helped me before and during and after treatment. Some of these women I’d met during treatment were even my rocks—and I’d only talked to them on the phone or texted with them before, some I still have never met in person.

When I went to say thank you to them after, I tried with every word I knew—I was grateful, thankful, humbled and that a piece of my heart would always be with them.

And the notes we get from patients, friends and family are the same—and I’m thankful for every single one, every day. Some women talk about how they felt so unprepared for treatment until they got the kit. Others who hid the kit in their closet until they felt an unexpected pain, got out the kit, used a product and were amazed by how well it worked. We get photos from women who laid out every item on their bed around them and read the instructions like words of comfort. We are a part of their journey and are so glad to be.

How do you decide what products go into the kits? Is there a special philosophy or criteria behind your choices?

First, our kits work across mind, body and spirit—because all of those are impacted with a life-changing diagnosis. The items that work with physical side effects are recommendations from those who have been there (we do research, interviews, do surveys, etc.). We work with small suppliers, natural and organic products with minimal chemicals, no unnatural fragrances, all of the things that doctors and nurses who are on our board (and also some are our own doctors) recommend.

But there is also a mental and spiritual element to the kits, and although we don’t harp on it, those in treatment need that type of support. We know that from our own experiences and talking to so many who have been there as well. It’s necessary to ensure anyone who receives a kit feels supported and connected to a larger community of those who have the same experience.

We love how your work supports both the physical and emotional sides of healing. Why was it important for you to take a whole-person approach?

When going through a medical journey—we’ve been through them ourselves—it’s hard to find balance. Not just in your own day-to-day but in how you approach a diagnosis. It often hits you all at once and is unrelenting—and when you add physical challenges into the mix, often feels impossible.

From our perspective, there’s no other way to help someone in treatment than with a whole-person approach. Because medical challenges hit the absolute foundation of the person. If you try only products that help physical challenges, but you’re not dealing with the emotional impact or spiritual questions, you’ll feel really out of balance. We approach each person who receives a kit as complex, beautiful, complicated, sensitive creature who is in a difficult time—but with help, can make it through.

How has this journey changed you—either personally or professionally?

My cancer diagnosis was a gift. Not one I’d asked for, but one I needed. I learned how to give and receive help, how to balance myself in work and at home, how to be a more present mother and wife, how to forgive myself and those I love, how to communicate better with my husband, how to stand up for myself—and that’s just naming a few. I was always a people-pleaser, but cancer taught me how to be myself without trying to please anyone else. To experience all the moments of joy and sadness with patience and grace.

At Joylux, we’re big believers in redefining women’s health with dignity, innovation, and care. What does that look like to you?

To me, dignity is someone saying her truth out loud. Women are all so good and hiding our realities, turning challenges in our bodies, health and life into shame. I’m tired of it. I don’t want to hide talking about sex or menopause, pain or fatigue, sickness and restored health. Every time I talk about my own truth, someone comes back to me with their own and it’s glorious. That intersection is the most beautiful place we can meet one another.

What’s next for CaraKit? Are there new partnerships, kits, or programs we should watch for?

We are always looking for new products and new opportunities to help those in treatment. Although the manufacturing world is uncertain right now, we’re still exploring ways to both source and create the best possible products we can and provide them to as many people as possible.

How can our readers support your mission or share a CaraKit with someone in need?

We hope your readers can learn more about how to support someone in medical treatment. Learning about a diagnosis can be challenging—but they need your support and optimism more than you know. Although it’s scary and you’ll worry about saying the wrong thing (especially if you haven’t been there yourself), just work on listening and learning as much as you can. Be a voice of positivity and just be there—even if you’re miles and miles away. Send a funny joke, a meme, a good TV show recommendation, anything that brings you joy, send it along. And don’t expect anything in return.

That’s the best gift you can give a loved one, support with no expectations. Be there, be consistent, and say things like “Sending with love, don’t write back. I’m with you.” Or “You’ve got this, stay strong.” We of course would love for you to send a CaraKit, we work hard to ensure these kits and products help. But even if you just send a text instead—we really want you to. Every word to friends in treatment is a gift.