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 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.

INTEREST FORM

LifeList program enrollment applications are currently closed. Applications will reopen on Monday, April 3rd, 2023 at 10 am MST.

If you are a young adult, ages 18-39, currently in treatment for cancer, you may qualify for the LifeList program. To get more information, please complete the above LifeList Interest Form. Program spots fill up quickly!

LifeList Program Eligibility:

The LifeList program serves cancer patients who are between the ages of 18-39, currently receiving active treatment, and meet one of the following criteria:

  • Within one year of primary cancer diagnosis
  • Recently experienced a relapse of a primary cancer or a secondary cancer diagnosis
  • Enrolled in a clinical trial where standard treatment protocols have proven unsuccessful

INTEREST FORM

LifeList Program Guideline FAQs

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

LifeList program applications are accepted on a quarterly basis. 2023 dates listed below:

  • January 3, 2023
  • April 3, 2023
  • July 5, 2023
  • October 3, 2023

A program application link will be available on the Dear Jack Foundation website at www.dearjackfoundation.org/lifelist at 10:00am MST on the above dates. Please note that available program participant spots fill very quickly.

Check back here to apply at 10:00am MST on the first day of the quarter!

What type of questions will I have to answer for the application?
You will need to provide some basic demographic information, as well as answers to the following questions:
  • Provide us a paragraph or two about your cancer story (age, date of diagnosis, treatment history, etc)
  • Please describe your current treatment plan/status
  • 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 budget for a LifeList participant wish? 

The total budget for a LifeList program participant wish is $2000.

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's COVID-19 policy for wishes that involve travel?
Prior COVID restrictions regarding travel wishes have been lifted and Dear Jack is currently allowing all travel within budget. All LifeList participants that request travel wishes will be required to obtain medical team approval.
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

Adam K
Aishly T
Amanda P
Andrew W
Austin B
Benjamin D
Brandon B
Brandon M
Carmen H
Cheyenne G
Chiara R
Claire V
Dallas S
Dayna B
Devan R
Diane S
Docylyne S
Elysha P
Erin A
Frida A
Jack P
Jacki M
Jacob T
Jarad D
Jesi D
Jessica D
Karen L
Kate S
Katie C
Katie W
Kendra M
Kris W
Kristen G
Leanne M
Lisa O
Mathelin M
Matt S
Megan H
Megan H
Michael B
Michelle U
Myranda L
Niky B
Paris A
Rachael P
Ryan G
Savannah W
Stephanie M
Tesia M
Valeria E
Zachary S
Zauria D
Adam K

"The seizures my cancer has caused have made it so I cannot work or drive and have to be monitored at all times. It is very limiting on my self-sufficiency."

Full Story
Aishly T

"I sleep as much as I can because when I’m awake, I’m sad. There’s nothing to do but stare at the same walls."

Full Story
Amanda P

"I think about all the what if’s everyday. Cancer has taken so much time and so many memories with my five year old daughter away from me."

Full Story
Andrew W

"Suddenly I was in the hospital, had to leave my job, and my wife became a single parent to our three children."

Full Story
Austin B

"This cancer diagnosis and the prognosis have really changed what my wife and I are envisioning for our lives and what the future looks like. It's a hard thing to come to terms with at 27."

Full Story
Benjamin D

"I love any kind of car racing and it has helped me pass the time during my treatments. "

Full Story
Brandon B

"I got engaged and it scares me that I won't get to live a full life with my future wife."

Full Story
Brandon M

"Your 20s and 30s is such a fundamental time of change and involvement in the life of others, transitioning from a role of dependency on others to someone others depend on. Cancer ruins that. Cancer makes you dependent. Cancer robs you of the ability..."

Full Story
Carmen H

"Being sick and missing out on important events such as football games, class, sorority events, workout classes, and other college events, and watching everyone else be able to participate has been heartbreaking. All I want is to feel "normal", and..."

Full Story
Cheyenne G

"I don't feel I am the mom I could be or was because of cancer and that's a really hard pill to swallow. It's definitely made me realize how precious and valuable my life truly is."

Full Story
Chiara R

"I know that this cancer will kill me one day, but that's not today so I do my best to live life to the fullest while I still feel well enough to do so."

Full Story
Claire V

"I’ve lost so much time. I’m 28 with zero work experience, and even if I wanted to get a minimum-wage/entry-level job, I can’t because I’m a transplant patient living in a pandemic."

Full Story
Dallas S

"I struggle with the effect this has had on my family."

Full Story
Dayna B

"I’m looking forward to being able to recover and continue on doing what I love to do."

Full Story
Devan R

"We want our boys to have beach vacation memories just like we do from our childhood; cancer has a hard time fighting for mental space in the sun and the sand!"

Full Story
Diane S

"I was indifferent about having children but the hardest part is not being able to give my husband kids."

Full Story
Docylyne S

"Unfortunately my mom has recently been diagnosed with cancer as well so it would just be refreshing to have something good happen for us."

Full Story
Elysha P

"Knowing I may lose my life at any time during this process is the scariest part because I don’t want my four kids to lose their mother just yet. They are scared and worried and I can’t imagine how hard this is for them."

Full Story
Erin A

"I want to be able to spend quality time with my kids without worrying about doctor’s appointments and the financial strain this has all caused."

Full Story
Frida A

"Knowing that this diagnosis will follow me for the rest of my life is tough - I want to live a long and fulfilled life full of adventures and experiences, I want to be able to experience life with my kids, witness their life, and be there for them..."

Full Story
Jack P

"All I want to do is go live with friends and take college classes and complete my internship, all of which I had to give up when my cancer relapsed."

Full Story
Jacki M

"Most of us know someone with cancer but we don’t really understand what that means to be “the one” with it. Cancer happens around us, but not to us."

Full Story
Jacob T

"It is so hard being weak, nauseous, emotionally drained, and watching my mom cry when I can't do anything."

Full Story
Jarad D

"I have a 3 year old daughter who, thankfully, is too young to understand more than that I have a "boo boo" on my head, but I worry constantly about whether I will be around as she grows up."

Full Story
Jesi D

"I hate the thought of not being here for my kids and raising them - not being here for hugs, wiping tears, kissing boo-boo's, teaching them lessons I've learned through life, and helping guide them in their lives."

Full Story
Jessica D

"My boys are in a lot of activities and I am always their #1 fan. I have missed so much in the last year with treatment."

Full Story
Karen L

"I have three children and I work full -time and I am barely keeping my head above water during the time of my life when I should be most active and happy."

Full Story
Kate S

"All I want is to see my daughter grow into the beautiful woman that she will become and to experience life with my forever human, my husband, Michael."

Full Story
Katie C

"I just miss being me. I want to not be Katie with the cancer. Just me."

Full Story
Katie W

"Cancer has taken a large toll on my overall self-esteem and my family life."

Full Story
Kendra M

"The hardest part of all of this is having two children and the fear of possibly leaving them without their mother."

Full Story
Kris W

"Even though I look alright at first glance, I just can't keep up with other young adults and end up being a drag in most social settings. Just imagine trying to take your 90-year old great-granddad hiking; that's me, in a 31-year old's body!"

Full Story
Kristen G

"It is hard watching my friends and the people I went to school with move on with their lives (getting married, having kids) and my life is basically on pause."

Full Story
Leanne M

"I knew I was going to fight this and I have and did. I will not let this define me, I will not let this beat me."

Full Story
Lisa O

"Sometimes I’m just so tired and my small children don’t understand. They want to think mommy is superwoman."

Full Story
Mathelin M

"Everyone says that dealing with cancer is easier given that I am younger, yet to me it is a constant daily struggle."

Full Story
Matt S

"I'm lucky enough to have a support system nearby that will always be there for me and provide me a soft place to land regardless of my situation and circumstances."

Full Story
Megan H

"I should be trying to plan to have a family, but I am instead planning on what cancer doctor I need to see next."

Full Story
Megan H

"Being a young adult with cancer, especially single, can be lonely. While my friends are getting married and having kids, I am fighting for my life."

Full Story
Michael B

"It has been so difficult to face an uncertain future for myself and my family as we have to navigate this."

Full Story
Michelle U

"With my Hawaiian lineage, l have always wanted to go there, especially with my husband."

Full Story
Myranda L

"Watching my friends move around the country, starting jobs, getting married, or going to grad school themselves has been really hard emotionally for me; it's an added stressor that I wasn't really prepared for with this journey."

Full Story
Niky B

"It is so difficult to see my peers move on and achieve all of the things that were once my goals."

Full Story
Paris A

"It has been difficult to face my own mortality. I just want to see my daughter grow up."

Full Story
Rachael P

"I feel like I’m stuck sitting in the back seat watching everyone else my age drive by."

Full Story
Ryan G

"I want to feel like I am seen."

Full Story
Savannah W

"It has been so difficult and isolating knowing that others my age can never understand my experience."

Full Story
Stephanie M

"It’s really tough parenting when feeling down, and I’m glad I have my wife to help out when my days are bad."

Full Story
Tesia M

"I am trying to fight with everything to be here to watch my son grow up."

Full Story
Valeria E

"I work full time and cannot keep up with medical expenses and full time school."

Full Story
Zachary S

"I am back to living at home, and not able to contribute financially and knowing that my mom is struggling has really brought me down."

Full Story
Zauria D

"One of the most difficult aspects of being a young adult and battling cancer is grieving over how you expected your life to be."

Full Story