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.
These are the voices and moments that define our mission. Each story was shared by a young adult or couple who participated in our programs – reminders that joy, connection, and meaning can exist even in the middle of difficult times.
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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.”
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.
