What Are the Eligibility Criteria for an Adult Cancer Wish?
•Jason Pohlonski, Founder & Executive Director

What Are the Eligibility Criteria for an Adult Cancer Wish?

One of the most common questions families, caregivers, hospice workers, and oncology teams ask is simple: who qualifies for an adult cancer wish?

For One More Moment, the answer begins with the person and the Moment they are hoping to share. One More Moment primarily serves adults in Michigan facing Stage IV, advanced, or metastatic cancer who want to create a meaningful Moment with the people they love.

These Moments are not about pretending cancer is easy. They are about making room for connection, dignity, comfort, and memory when time together matters deeply.

Every request is reviewed with care. Submitting a request does not guarantee approval, funding, timing, or availability. It gives One More Moment a chance to understand the situation, the eligibility details, and the Moment being requested.

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

Core Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for an adult cancer wish help One More Moment understand whether a request fits the mission and whether the organization may be able to help.

In general, One More Moment looks for:

  • The person is an adult.
  • The person lives in Michigan or is being served within One More Moment’s Michigan mission.
  • The person is typically facing Stage IV, advanced, or metastatic cancer.
  • The request reflects a meaningful Moment the person wants to experience with loved ones.
  • The request is feasible within One More Moment’s capacity, available resources, safety considerations, and timing.

These criteria are not meant to make families feel like they need perfect paperwork before reaching out. They are meant to help the team review each request thoughtfully and responsibly.

One More Moment does not provide medical advice, medical care, or emergency services. In some situations, general diagnosis or oncology eligibility criteria may need to be confirmed by an oncology provider, hospice worker, social worker, or care-team contact.

What If Someone Is Not Sure They Qualify?

Families do not always know which words apply to a diagnosis. Stage IV cancer, advanced cancer, and metastatic cancer can be difficult terms to sort through, especially when everyone is already carrying a lot.

If someone is not sure whether they qualify, they may still reach out with questions. One More Moment handles each situation thoughtfully and with respect. The team may ask follow-up questions, request general eligibility information, or suggest whether a formal Moment request makes sense.

It is okay if the first message is simple. A family, caregiver, hospice worker, oncology team member, or social worker can start by explaining who they are hoping to help and what kind of Moment might matter.

Does the Moment Have to Be a Big Trip?

No. A One More Moment wish does not have to be a big trip, a public event, or an expensive experience.

A meaningful Moment may be:

  • A dinner with family
  • A visit with someone important
  • A short getaway
  • A family gathering
  • A quiet day together
  • A favorite activity made possible with support
  • A simple experience that removes stress from the family

Some Moments are larger. Some are very quiet. The size of the Moment is not what makes it meaningful. What matters is whether it reflects something the person facing cancer wants to experience with the people they love.

Who Can Help Start a Request?

A Moment request may begin with the person facing cancer, but they do not have to carry the process alone.

A request or referral may be started by:

  • The person facing cancer
  • A spouse or partner
  • A family member
  • A friend
  • A caregiver
  • A hospice worker
  • An oncology team member
  • A social worker
  • A church or community contact

The person facing cancer should remain central to the request. One More Moment wants to understand what would feel meaningful to them, who should be involved, and what support may be needed to make the Moment possible.

To begin, visit Request a Moment. If you have questions first, you can contact One More Moment.

What Information Is Usually Helpful?

The request does not have to be perfect before it is submitted. It is helpful to share enough information for One More Moment to understand the situation and follow up with care.

Helpful information may include:

  • Basic contact information
  • General diagnosis or eligibility information
  • Where the person lives
  • What kind of Moment they are hoping for
  • Timing or urgency
  • Who should be involved
  • Privacy concerns or personal limitations

Families should only share information they are comfortable submitting and that is needed for review. Personal and medical information should be handled carefully. You can review the organization’s Privacy Policy for more information.

Why Timing Matters

Earlier requests can be easier to plan because they allow more time for coordination.

That extra time can matter when a Moment involves family schedules, travel, meals, lodging, transportation, local support, accessibility needs, health considerations, or coordination with caregivers and care teams.

One More Moment understands that not every family has the benefit of time. Some requests are urgent. Still, when possible, reaching out earlier can help the team better understand what is feasible and what support may be available.

Dignity, Privacy, and Public Sharing

One More Moment handles requests with care because every person and family deserves dignity.

Some Moments are shared publicly only with permission. Many stay private. A Moment does not have to be photographed, posted, or publicly told in order to matter.

Families should feel free to talk about privacy concerns, health limitations, mobility needs, or anything else that may affect planning. The goal is to support a meaningful Moment in a way that respects the person facing cancer and the people closest to them.

Thoughtful Review and Donor Stewardship

Requests are reviewed thoughtfully because every person and family deserves dignity, and every donor deserves to know their support is used responsibly.

One More Moment looks at the requested Moment, timing, logistics, available resources, safety, mission fit, and whether the request can be supported well. This review helps protect families, volunteers, donors, and the organization.

Because corporate donors and generous families and supporters help cover overhead, 100% of public donations go directly toward wish granting.

If you want to help make adult cancer wishes in Michigan possible, you can donate to One More Moment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the eligibility criteria for an adult cancer wish?

One More Moment primarily serves adults in Michigan facing Stage IV, advanced, or metastatic cancer who want to create a meaningful Moment with loved ones. Requests are reviewed based on mission fit, timing, feasibility, available resources, safety, and the details of the Moment being requested.

Does someone have to have Stage IV cancer to qualify?

One More Moment typically serves adults facing Stage IV, advanced, or metastatic cancer. If a family is not sure how a diagnosis fits, they can reach out with questions. General eligibility information or confirmation from an oncology provider may be requested.

Can someone with advanced or metastatic cancer request a Moment?

Yes. One More Moment serves adults in Michigan facing Stage IV, advanced, or metastatic cancer. A person with advanced or metastatic cancer, or someone helping them, may begin a request or ask questions before submitting one.

Does the wish have to be a trip?

No. A Moment can be a dinner, visit, short getaway, family gathering, quiet day together, or another meaningful experience. The Moment does not have to be large to matter.

Who can help start a request?

The person facing cancer may start a request. A spouse or partner, family member, friend, caregiver, hospice worker, oncology team member, social worker, church contact, or community contact may also help.

What if a family is not sure whether someone qualifies?

They may still reach out. One More Moment reviews situations thoughtfully and can help families understand whether a formal request may fit the organization’s mission.

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, feasibility, timing, and confirmation from an oncology provider or care-team contact.

Nonprofit Verification

One More Moment is a registered nonprofit organization. Visitors can verify the organization through official nonprofit resources, including the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search and Candid/GuideStar.

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
Website: https://www.onemoremoment.org