LifeList

Programs

Hope During a Difficult Time

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 are currently closed. Our next application cycle will open on September 18th at 10 am MST. To receive information about the LifeList program and updates about the next application cycle, please complete the interest form. 

INTEREST FORM

LifeList Program Eligibility:

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.

INTEREST FORM

LifeList Program Guideline FAQs

How does a young adult cancer patient apply to be part of the LifeList program?

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.

What type of questions will I have to answer for the application?
For the first phase of the application process, you will need to provide demographic information, a paragraph or two about your cancer story (age, date of diagnosis, treatment history, etc.), and your current treatment plan/status.
If you are selected to move forward in the process, the second phase of the application process will include the above and also ask the following.
  • What’s been one of the most difficult aspects of being a young adult and having cancer?
  • What are you most looking forward to if you are accepted into the Dear Jack LifeList program?
  • Who would you like to give a shout out to for being by your side since diagnosis and why?
  • What is one interesting fact about you that is not cancer related?
What is the total value for a LifeList participant wish? 

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.

What is the timeline for program participation?

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.

What is Dear Jack Foundation's policy for wishes that include financial assistance and/or gift cards?

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.

Meet Our LifeList Participants

Active Program Participants

Aaron
Alyssa
Amira
Andrea
Andres
Annette
Ari
Ashlyn
Austin
Ben
Brandi
Brandon
Brittany
Brittany
Carlee
Ciarra
Damion
Daniel
Emily
Emily
Erin
Esther
Exa
James
Janette
Jen
Jody
Joel
John
Jordan
Jordan
Jordan
Jordan
Josue
Keri
Kristin
Lara
Lauren
Lee
Lorena
Lyss
Maggie
McKenzie
Myles
Quinn
Rachel
Rony
Ryan
Samantha
Sarah
Sarah
Sean
Seth
Shantie
Shelby
Shirley
Tamara
Taylor
Tyler
Wesley
Aaron

"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."

Full Story
Alyssa

"My husband and I have a 9-month old baby and were enjoying the new phase of parenthood. Cancer has really shaken my life overall. "

Full Story
Amira

"I never thought about the possibility of getting cancer before, and I think most people my age don't either."

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Andrea

"I just want to get to a place where treatment isn’t the main focus of my life. "

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Andres

"My world came down in pieces and I thought I was going to die."

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Annette

"I will finally have some time to feel normal again, even if only for a brief period."

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Ari

"I didn’t feel like I was fighting — I just didn’t want to leave the people I love."

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Ashlyn

"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."

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Austin

"It's been tough dealing with so much loss in such a short amount of time when it felt like I had my life on track."

Full Story
Ben

"Uncertainty and hurdles are a part of my daily life. I am learning to roll with the punches."

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Brandi

"I just want to put a smile on my kids’ faces before they have to be stronger than they should at their age."

Full Story
Brandon

"I am trying my best to do all of this with my head held high and a smile on my face, but it has been very hard to do that."

Full Story
Brittany

"This has robbed me of the rest of my young adult life."

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Brittany

"The most difficult thing for me is to know I am young and not feel it."

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Carlee

"Cancer has stolen a very significant portion of my life as a mother that I can never get back."

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Ciarra

"I want to show my son how strong and capable his mom is — and make memories we’ll both carry forever."

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Damion

"Times have been rough here and there but I'm fighting pretty hard."

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Daniel

"This was a sudden event that was traumatic for me and for my family and friends."

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Emily

"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."

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Emily

"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."

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Erin

"Being able to experience a dream…would give me a sense of hope and a much-needed break from the constant reality of treatment."

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Esther

"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."

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Exa

"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."

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James

"Before the past year, I never struggled too much with anxious thoughts/panic, but I've had to learn to live with the weight my diagnosis has brought over the past few months."

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Janette

"I just want to see my daughter grow up. I want to beat the odds and live."

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Jen

"I lost my otherwise very healthy mom to cancer when I was in college and my diagnosis has made me realize I have a lot of unprocessed trauma and anxiety around recurrence and other cancers."

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Jody

"I’ve spent the last year in ‘fight or flight’ mode, barely processing my own feelings, and finding this community means I'm not alone anymore. "

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Joel

"Trying to live a normal life while having cancer… your body changes, your priorities shift, and you feel like you’ve aged decades."

Full Story
John

"At a time when most people my age are moving forward, I've had to shift into survival mode."

Full Story
Jordan

"Watching my friends’ lives move on while mine feels at a standstill has been one of the hardest parts."

Full Story
Jordan

"I always tell my family that I have cancer but I am not just “cancer.” I, and everyone else diagnosed with this terrible illness, are so much more than that."

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Jordan

"There is hope for me."

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Jordan

"My determination and strength shine through, and together, I believe I can overcome this challenge with unwavering resolve."

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Josue

"I have been blessed with supportive and helpful people in my life and friends who care but being a young adult I have no experience in life and due to having cancer it feels like my life is on hold till I’m better."

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Keri

"It’s like people forget cancer doesn’t care how old you are."

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Kristin

"I worry that I won't be able to provide for my family once I'm gone."

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Lara

"I feel like being the 'sick mom' right now is just taking away from my boys."

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Lauren

"I miss all I used to be able to accomplish."

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Lee

"This is a chance to bond as a family and get some joy back in our lives."

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Lorena

"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."

Full Story
Lyss

"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."

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Maggie

"I want to have a taste of normal life after all these months at the hospital and doctor’s offices."

Full Story
McKenzie

"I just want time with them. To laugh, to relax, and to remember what it’s like to simply live."

Full Story
Myles

"You quickly learn that with cancer, the only door open is the one that gets you to the other side of treatment."

Full Story
Quinn

"I feel like I’m watching my peers’ lives go by while cancer keeps me stuck in place."

Full Story
Rachel

"I want to get through chemo, surgery, and radiation knowing there’s something warm and relaxing waiting for me at the end."

Full Story
Rony

"One of the most difficult things about having cancer has been the reality of having limited time and life expectancy."

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Ryan

"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."

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Samantha

"All I want to do is create memories."

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Sarah

"Cancer has taught me to treasure what I do have and make the most of every day."

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Sarah

"I want to eat yummy foods, ride lots of exhilarating rides, watch parades, & most importantly have lots of fun with my mom!"

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Sean

"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."

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Seth

"I’m trying to balance making a normal life for myself with my health issues."

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Shantie

"My biggest dream was always to be a mom, so going through cancer after I got my dream just isn't fair to me."

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Shelby

"We are mentally overwhelmed and sad, but we are hopeful for life and I really want to live."

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Shirley

"My treatment has been very challenging, and I am pretty nervous, to say the least."

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Tamara

"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."

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Taylor

"I have three younger sisters and amazing parents, and it breaks my heart to see them scared."

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Tyler

"It is so difficult realizing how little time I have left... knowing all the experiences I am going to miss with my two daughters."

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Wesley

"The most difficult part of my cancer journey was losing my dad to cancer in 2022 between my first two cancer diagnoses."

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