How One More Moment Plans an Adult Cancer Wish in Michigan
Every One More Moment experience begins by listening.
The goal is not the biggest trip or most elaborate event. It is to understand the person, the people they love, and what would feel genuinely meaningful. That understanding guides everything from the first conversation to the practical details that bring a Moment together.
Receiving a Moment Request
A request may begin with the individual facing cancer. It may also come from a spouse, partner, family member, friend, caregiver, social worker, hospice worker, oncology professional, church, or community contact.
The first request does not need to answer every question or present a finished plan. It gives the team a place to begin: who the person is and what kind of experience may be meaningful.
Someone considering a request can use the Request a Moment form or read our guide on how to request a wish for an adult with Stage 4 cancer in Michigan.
Confirming Eligibility with Care
One More Moment serves adults in Michigan facing Stage IV, advanced, or metastatic cancer. The team reviews each request individually and may ask for information that helps confirm the request fits the organization’s mission.
The person remains at the center of the conversation. If you are unsure whether someone may qualify, Who Qualifies for a One More Moment Wish? explains the main considerations in plain language.
Submitting a request does not guarantee approval, funding, timing, or availability. It does begin a careful review of what may be possible.
Learning What Matters to the Person
Once a request moves forward, the team learns more about the individual. What do they enjoy? Who matters most to them? Is there a place, activity, meal, or relationship with special meaning? What would they like the Moment to provide—connection, a change of scenery, a chance to gather, or time with someone important?
Energy, mobility, accessibility, travel limits, preferred timing, and family schedules may shape the experience. These details help the team build a Moment that feels personal, respectful, and realistic.
Building the Moment Around the Person
No two people are the same, so no two Moments need to look the same. A Moment might include:
- A short family trip
- A favorite meal or gathering
- A meaningful visit
- Time at a favorite Michigan destination
- Reconnecting with someone important
- Another experience with personal meaning
A Moment does not have to be large or expensive to matter. A quiet gathering may be more meaningful to one person than a complicated itinerary. The best plan is not the one that looks most impressive from the outside. It is the one that reflects the person and gives them meaningful time with people they love.
You can learn more about the broader mission in our guide to adult cancer wishes in Michigan.
Handling the Logistics
After the idea becomes clearer, planning turns to the details. Depending on the Moment, that may include lodging, transportation, meals, tickets, accessibility, schedules, donated services, and communication with several people or businesses.
The team may compare options, confirm availability, coordinate arrival times, explain accessibility needs, and build a backup plan. Health and energy can change, so a thoughtful plan leaves room to adjust without losing sight of what made the Moment meaningful.
Working with Volunteers and Community Partners
Volunteers and community partners help turn ideas into workable plans. Volunteers may contact local businesses, follow up on donated products or services, organize details, and help find practical solutions when the first option is not available.
Local businesses may contribute lodging, meals, tickets, transportation, activities, or other support. Individual supporters may bring useful connections, time, or expertise. Each contribution can remove a barrier and allow available funds to serve more families.
Businesses and individuals interested in helping can visit the volunteer and partner form or email contactus@onemoremoment.org.
Respecting Health, Dignity, and Privacy
Plans must remain flexible because a person’s health, comfort, or energy may change. One More Moment does not provide medical advice, and planning does not change a medical outcome. The team works to create an experience that respects the information and boundaries shared by the individual and family.
Those boundaries also guide what is made public. Some Moments are shared through photographs or stories when permission is given. Others remain private. Receiving a Moment does not require a family to share a personal experience publicly.
More information about how submitted information is used is available in the Privacy Policy.
Paying for a Moment
Donations may support lodging, transportation, meals, tickets, accessibility needs, or other direct wish-granting expenses connected with an approved Moment. The exact needs depend on the person and the experience being planned.
Because corporate donors and generous supporters cover operating expenses separately, 100% of public donations go directly toward wish granting. To help make future Moments possible, visit the Donate page.
What Happens After the Moment
The planned experience may last an afternoon, a day, or a short trip. What continues can be harder to measure: photographs, conversations, stories, renewed relationships, and memories of being together.
A Moment does not remove grief or change what a family is facing. It can, however, give an individual and the people they love time centered on who they are together—not only on appointments, logistics, or cancer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can request an adult cancer wish?
The person facing cancer may request a Moment, or a family member, friend, caregiver, social worker, hospice worker, oncology professional, church, or community contact may help begin the process.
How does One More Moment decide what to create?
The team listens to the individual and family, learns what matters to them, and considers timing, health, accessibility, logistics, available resources, and mission fit. The Moment is built around the person rather than a standard package.
How long does planning take?
There is no single timeline. Planning depends on the request, the person’s health and preferred timing, partner availability, logistics, and available resources. The team communicates as details become clearer but cannot guarantee timing.
Can businesses donate products or services?
Yes. Businesses may be able to help with lodging, meals, transportation, tickets, activities, or other needs. Interested businesses can use the volunteer and partner form or contact the team by email.
Are Moments shared publicly?
Only with permission. Some individuals and families choose to share their story, while others keep their Moment private.
Where do public donations go?
Because operating expenses are covered separately by corporate donors and generous supporters, 100% of public donations go directly toward wish granting.
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:
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search: Search for One More Moment, EIN 47-4466426
- Candid/GuideStar profile: One More Moment nonprofit profile
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