Full-Circle Wish

“Andrew McMahon’s music carried us through my hardest days. Seeing him live again feels like closing a difficult chapter and starting a new one with joy.” — Alison

Moment of Joy

When Andres received his new mixing board through his LifeList wish, his quiet joy said it all. After opening it, he said, “Thank you. Just mine.” It’s a small moment that captures the heart of what LifeList is all about—something personal, meaningful, and entirely his.

Finding Herself Again

On the beaches of El Salvador, Aurora shared her gratitude in a sunrise video filmed during her LifeList trip. After years of treatment for lung cancer, she spoke about feeling free to simply exist—walking, breathing, and reconnecting with herself beyond illness. “Living with lung cancer is not easy,” she says, “but on this trip, I found myself again and became comfortable living with myself—with this cancer.”

Finding Strength in Connection

Connection has been at the heart of Berenise’s Dear Jack experience — from her LifeList trip to Montana that created lasting memories for her family, to her Breathe Now retreat where she and Ivan reconnected and met other couples who understand life after cancer. She continues to find community through Dear Jack’s virtual gatherings, joining to learn, listen, and share with other young adults navigating similar paths. For Berenise, these programs together represent what matters most—finding connection, understanding, and support along the way.

Wish for Independence

At 28, Erika was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a rare cancer that upended her life and her independence. Her LifeList wish for an adjustable bed gave her comfort, mobility, and the ability to move back into her own space. Through the LifeList program, she found both relief and a renewed sense of what life after cancer could look like.

Hope, Healing, & Lifelong Friendships

Hannah and Klint describe their Breathe Now retreat as both healing and hopeful — a space where they could reconnect, learn new tools to “make a better life for ourselves,” and form friendships that will last well beyond the weekend. They encourage other couples not to hesitate, saying, “You won’t find a better place than this.”

A Forever Moment

During his LifeList trip to Colorado, John planned a surprise for his then girlfriend, Breanna. With the mountains as their backdrop, he got down on one knee and proposed—capturing a private, joy-filled moment that marked a new beginning for them both.

Time With Her Son

Liliana’s LifeList wish was all about joy, rest, and time with her son—and a stay at the Nickelodeon Resort gave her exactly that. “My vacation came exactly when I needed it.”

Rediscovering Balance Together

After facing two cancer diagnoses, Lynn and Tyler joined a Breathe Now retreat hoping to reconnect as partners, not just patient and caregiver. For Tyler, the experience far exceeded expectations — he shared how being surrounded by others who understand made the trip truly transformative. “Travel, drive, get on a plane, do it,” he said. “I promise you won’t regret it.”

Finding Community and Balance

Active and community-minded long before Megan’s ovarian cancer diagnosis, Megan and Nik came to their Breathe Now retreat hoping to find support and understanding from others who had faced similar challenges. The experience gave them time to breathe, reconnect, and realize they’re not alone. For Nik, it was a reminder that caring for himself helps him better care for Megan—and together, they found new strength in shared connection.

A Needed Moment of Calm

After months of treatment and tough decisions about fertility, Rachel was ready for a break from the constant weight of cancer. Her LifeList wish took her and her partner, Bruce, to Antigua—a warm, peaceful escape she had dreamed of during chemo. Reflecting on her experience, she shared how much it meant to have this trip to look forward to, and how the Letters with Love she received during treatment lifted her up when she needed it most.

Core Memory at the Ballpark

When Wesley took the field to throw the first pitch at a Braves game, it was a moment he’d dreamed of for years. “Thank y’all so much for making yesterday happen,” he shared afterward. “The outpouring of love and support I’ve received since yesterday evening has been incredible.” For Wesley, the experience reflected what LifeList is all about – creating opportunities for joy, connection, and community in the midst of cancer treatment.