Can Hospice or Oncology Teams Refer Someone for an Adult Cancer Wish?
•Jason Pohlonski, Founder & Executive Director

Can Hospice or Oncology Teams Refer Someone for an Adult Cancer Wish?

Can a hospice worker, oncology team, social worker, or care professional help someone access an adult cancer wish?

Yes. Hospice workers, oncology teams, oncology nurses, nurse navigators, social workers, palliative care teams, chaplains, and other care professionals may help start the conversation or refer someone to One More Moment.

One More Moment helps adults in Michigan facing Stage IV, advanced, or metastatic cancer create meaningful Moments with the people they love. A Moment may be simple, quiet, joyful, practical, or deeply personal. What matters is that it centers the person facing cancer and gives them time with the people who matter most.

For a broader overview of adult cancer wishes in Michigan, visit our guide to wish granting for adults with cancer in Michigan.

Who Can Refer Someone to One More Moment?

A referral or request can begin in several ways. It may come from:

  • The person facing cancer
  • A spouse or partner
  • Adult children or other family members
  • Friends
  • Caregivers
  • Hospice workers
  • Oncology teams
  • Oncology nurses or nurse navigators
  • Social workers
  • Palliative care teams
  • Chaplains
  • Churches or community contacts

The person facing cancer should remain at the center of the request. A care professional or loved one can help open the door, but the Moment should reflect what feels meaningful, comfortable, and respectful to the person receiving support.

If you are ready to begin, you can use the Request a Moment form. If you are unsure whether someone may qualify, the guide Who Qualifies for a One More Moment Wish? explains the main considerations.

Why Professional Referrals Matter

Care teams often see needs that others may not notice right away. A hospice worker, oncology nurse, social worker, or palliative care team member may recognize when a meaningful Moment could support someone emotionally, practically, or relationally.

Professional referrals matter because care teams may:

  • Know when timing is important
  • Recognize emotional, logistical, or financial barriers
  • Understand family dynamics or practical limits
  • Help identify someone who may benefit from a Moment
  • Help families feel more comfortable reaching out

For some families, asking for help can feel awkward. A trusted care professional can make the first step feel less overwhelming by saying, “This may be something worth exploring.”

What Hospice or Oncology Teams Should Know

One More Moment supports adults in Michigan who are facing Stage IV, advanced, or metastatic cancer. Requests are reviewed with care, and additional information may be needed to understand eligibility, timing, safety, and what kind of Moment may be possible.

A Moment does not have to be large or elaborate. It may be:

  • A favorite dinner
  • A visit with loved ones
  • Time at a favorite place
  • A short getaway
  • A family gathering
  • A quiet day together
  • Another experience that carries personal meaning

The most meaningful Moment is not always the biggest one. It is the one that reflects the person, their relationships, and the kind of time they want to have.

One More Moment does not provide medical advice, and a referral should not be treated as a medical recommendation. It is simply a way to help a person or family explore whether meaningful late-stage cancer support may be available.

What Information Is Helpful in a Referral

A referral does not need to be perfect before someone reaches out. Still, a few details can help One More Moment understand the situation and respond thoughtfully.

Helpful information may include:

  • Basic contact information
  • General diagnosis or eligibility information
  • Where the person lives
  • What kind of Moment might be meaningful
  • Timing or urgency
  • Who should be involved
  • Mobility, accessibility, or comfort considerations
  • Privacy concerns or limitations

If a hospice referral for an adult cancer wish or an oncology referral for an adult cancer wish includes sensitive information, it should be shared carefully and only as appropriate. You can review the Privacy Policy for more information about how submitted information is handled.

Why Earlier Referrals Can Help

Reaching out earlier often gives more time to coordinate the details that can make a Moment feel calm, personal, and possible.

Depending on the request, planning may involve family schedules, lodging, transportation, meals, accessibility, privacy, local business support, donated services, or backup plans. Earlier referrals can give One More Moment more room to listen, communicate, and work through practical details.

That does not mean it is too late to ask if time is short. It simply means that earlier conversations can help reduce pressure and create more options.

For more on timing, read When Should You Request a Wish for an Adult With Cancer?.

Privacy, Dignity, and Personal Boundaries

One More Moment handles referrals and Moments with care. Every person and family deserves dignity, privacy, and the ability to decide what feels right for them.

Some stories are shared publicly only with permission. Many Moments remain private. Receiving a Moment does not require someone to share photos, details, or personal medical information publicly.

The goal is not publicity. The goal is to help create meaningful time for an adult in Michigan facing Stage IV, advanced, or metastatic cancer and the people they love.

How Donors and Supporters Help

Professional referrals help more families learn that wish granting for adults with cancer may be available. Donor generosity helps make those Moments possible.

Public donations may help support lodging, travel, meals, tickets, accessibility needs, or other direct expenses connected to an approved Moment. Because corporate donors and generous families and supporters help cover overhead, 100% of public donations go directly toward wish granting.

To help create future adult cancer wishes in Michigan, visit Donate to One More Moment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can hospice workers refer someone for an adult cancer wish?

Yes. Hospice workers may help start an adult cancer wish referral for someone in Michigan facing Stage IV, advanced, or metastatic cancer. They can share the Request a Moment form, help a family begin the conversation, or contact One More Moment with questions.

Can oncology teams help someone request a Moment?

Yes. Oncology teams, oncology nurses, nurse navigators, social workers, palliative care teams, and other care professionals may help someone request a Moment or refer someone who may benefit from late-stage cancer support.

Who else can refer someone to One More Moment?

A referral can come from the person facing cancer, a spouse or partner, adult children, other family members, friends, caregivers, churches, community contacts, hospice teams, oncology teams, social workers, or chaplains.

Does the Moment have to be a big trip or event?

No. A Moment can be simple. It may be a favorite meal, a short visit, a quiet family gathering, a meaningful outing, or time in a place that matters to the person and their loved ones.

When should a care team reach out?

Earlier is often helpful because it gives more time to coordinate family schedules, lodging, travel, meals, accessibility, privacy, and local support. If timing is urgent, it is still worth reaching out to ask what may be possible.

How can a referral be submitted?

The best place to begin is the Request a Moment form. If you have questions before sharing information, you can email contactus@onemoremoment.org.

About the Author

Jason Pohlonski is the Founder and Executive Director of One More Moment, a Michigan-based nonprofit created to help adults facing Stage IV, advanced, or metastatic cancer experience meaningful Moments with the people they love.

One More Moment was inspired by Jason’s personal experience with his mother’s cancer journey and the realization that, near the end of life, even a simple moment together can mean everything. Through One More Moment, Jason and the organization work to provide dignity, connection, and meaningful experiences for adults and families navigating late-stage cancer.

About One More Moment

One More Moment grants meaningful wish experiences for adults in Michigan who are facing Stage IV, advanced, or metastatic cancer and who lack the resources to create that Moment on their own.

Every request is reviewed with care. Eligibility may include Michigan residency, a qualifying cancer diagnosis, financial or logistical need, and confirmation from an oncology provider.

Nonprofit Verification

One More Moment is a registered nonprofit organization, EIN 47-4466426. Visitors can verify the organization through official nonprofit resources:

Privacy and Medical Information

One More Moment respects the privacy of every applicant, family, and referral partner. Medical and personal information submitted through a Moment request is used only to review eligibility and coordinate the request.

For more details, please review our Privacy Policy.

Contact

One More Moment

Founder & Executive Director: Jason Pohlonski

Email: contactus@onemoremoment.org

Website: https://www.onemoremoment.org