We’re on a mission to raise $300,000 by 11/11 to support young adults facing cancer through Dear Jack’s LifeList, Breathe Now, and community programs.
Donate, fundraise, or spread the word to help us reach our goal and continue to support AYA cancer patients and survivors across the country.
LifeList is a wish-granting program that offers hope and support to young adults who are currently receiving treatment for a life-threatening cancer diagnosis. This program provides positive experiences to focus on during treatment and an opportunity to connect with a community of young adult patients, survivors, and advocates who have experienced similar journeys.
If you are a young adult, ages 18-39, currently in treatment for cancer, you may qualify for the LifeList program.
LifeList applications for Q1 of 2026 are now open. Phase 1 applications will be accepted until December 18th at 10 am MST. To be eligible for Q1 of the program, you must submit a Phase 1 application prior to then.
LifeList has a limited capacity and any eligible phase 1 applicants will be entered into a randomized selection process. You will receive an email within 72 hours of the application window closing, letting you know if you have been selected to move forward in the process. If selected to move forward, you will be required to complete a more comprehensive application within 72 hours.
The LifeList program serves cancer patients who are between the ages of 18-39 who are currently receiving medical treatment to address an active cancer diagnosis.
The LifeList program is open to new applications on a quarterly basis. Any applications received during the time frame listed at the top of this page will be included in a random selection. On the close of application day, all applicants will receive an email letting them know if they have been selected to move forward in the process or not. All application cycles will open and close at 10 am MT.
Our LifeList participant wishes vary from travel to technology to experiences to home goods and much more. The maximum amount of spend for each LifeList is $1,500 with an average value of $2000. We have some incredible corporate partners who periodically donate to help us with wishes and may contribute to the overall value of a LifeList wish. Due to the unique nature of this program, the individuality of wishes and the unpredictable variance of donations, the total value may be greater and/or the total spend may be less for each participant.
LifeList program participants are an active part of the program for a total of 6 months from the date of acceptance. All LifeList wishes must be completed or ordered within those 6 months. Please be aware of your health status and the reality of being able to fulfill your requests within that time frame.
Dear Jack Foundation is unable to accept wish requests for VISA/AMEX/Amazon gift cards, cash, or financial assistance (rent, mortgage, home repairs, car payments, student loan payments, medical expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, credit card payments, etc).
While Dear Jack strives to make wishes come true, we reserve the right to deny a wish or request modifications. If Dear Jack has concerns about your wishes, we will communicate appropriately with you and work together to create the best experience for you.
"Before this, I wanted to promote at my job and be able to travel — now my focus is just getting through treatment and going back to normal."
"I’ve only been taking two classes per semester ever since due to the cost of classes and the amount of appointments that I have to go to."
"Living with the truth that I may always have cancer—while the world moves on like everything is normal—has been one of the hardest things to navigate."
"Uncertainty and hurdles are a part of my daily life. I am learning to roll with the punches."
"I just want to put a smile on my kids’ faces before they have to be stronger than they should at their age."
"The mental part… taking it in, knowing how strong and healthy I was — and then out of nowhere, this."
"This was a sudden event that was traumatic for me and for my family and friends."
"It’s extremely difficult to sit here and watch my peers and family members experiencing life activities that I wish I could be doing — even as simple as walking their dog, hiking, or traveling."
"It was my dream to be a stay-at-home mom and homeschool my kids—but cancer took that away. I’m hoping this wish gives us something joyful to look forward to."
"Nothing I can write does justice to how hard this has been. Not being as strong a mom as my children deserve has probably been the most difficult part of this."
"I feel like so much of my identity has become about being a cancer patient and not a young adult enjoying a happy and successful life."
"When I was a kid, I felt light, joyful, and alive in the water. I’d love to get back to that feeling, even just for a little while."
"Trying to live a normal life while having cancer… your body changes, your priorities shift, and you feel like you’ve aged decades."
"Watching my friends’ lives move on while mine feels at a standstill has been one of the hardest parts."
"More than anything, I just want to be here for my kids for as long as possible. The weight of that hope is something I carry every single day."
"Sometimes, I get glimpses of my old self, of feeling healthy again, and then I’m back in the chair, letting a cocktail of drugs both heal and hurt me."
"I want to have a taste of normal life after all these months at the hospital and doctor’s offices."
"I just want time with them. To laugh, to relax, and to remember what it’s like to simply live."
"It’s so hard not being able to process what you are going through fully but through it all I’ve tried to hold on to hope."
"One of the most difficult things about having cancer has been the reality of having limited time and life expectancy."
"It would be an incredible opportunity to step outside of the daily challenges of treatment and celebrate life in a way that brings joy and hope."
"I want my story to be heard by others around my age so they know they’re not alone in this."
"I want to eat yummy foods, ride lots of exhilarating rides, watch parades, & most importantly have lots of fun with my mom!"
"One of the hardest things has been missing out on so many special events and holidays. I want my kids to have memories of me not in bed, but out enjoying life with them."
"We are mentally overwhelmed and sad, but we are hopeful for life and I really want to live."
"I’ve had to deal with my diagnosis alone — finding resources and treatment options by myself"
"I still need to work, try to be social with friends, live in an apartment building, and need to depend on friends for help—I can’t hide what I’m going through."
"It is so difficult realizing how little time I have left... knowing all the experiences I am going to miss with my two daughters."
"The most difficult part of my cancer journey was losing my dad to cancer in 2022 between my first two cancer diagnoses."
