How to Help an Adult With Cancer Request a Wish in Michigan
•Jason Pohlonski, Founder & Executive Director

How to Help an Adult With Cancer Request a Wish in Michigan

When someone you love is facing advanced cancer, it can be hard to know how to help. You may want to offer something meaningful without adding another task, making assumptions, or asking the person to explain everything they need.

Helping someone request a Moment can begin with a simple conversation. You do not need to arrive with a complete plan. You can start by listening: What would feel meaningful right now? Who would they want beside them? Is there a place, meal, visit, or experience they keep thinking about?

One More Moment helps adults in Michigan facing Stage IV, advanced, or metastatic cancer create meaningful Moments with the people they love. A family member, friend, caregiver, or community professional can help an adult with cancer request a wish while keeping that person’s choices, comfort, and dignity at the center.

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

Who Can Help Start a Request?

The person facing cancer may submit a request for themselves. They do not, however, have to manage the process alone.

A request may begin with help from:

  • The person facing cancer
  • A family member
  • A friend
  • A caregiver
  • A social worker
  • A hospice or oncology professional
  • A church or community contact

Someone close to the person may notice that travel, cost, timing, energy, or logistics are making an important experience difficult to arrange. A social worker or care-team professional may know a patient who could benefit from late-stage cancer support in Michigan. A church, neighbor, or community contact may have the relationship that helps a family learn this support exists.

The first step can be as gentle as sharing the Request a Moment form and asking whether the person would like help completing it.

Center the Person Facing Cancer

A Stage IV cancer wish request should reflect the person facing cancer, not what someone else thinks they should want. Helping well means making room for their voice.

Useful questions may include:

  • What would feel meaningful to you?
  • Who would you like to have with you?
  • What feels comfortable and realistic?
  • What would create connection, dignity, joy, or peace?

Some people know immediately what they want. Others need time or a few simple options. Try not to turn the conversation into a planning meeting too quickly. Listening first can reveal that the most meaningful idea is different from the most obvious one.

The person may also decide that now is not the right time to request a Moment. Respecting that choice is part of keeping them at the center.

What Information Is Helpful?

The request does not need to be perfectly written. It needs enough information for One More Moment to understand the situation and follow up thoughtfully.

Helpful details may include:

  • Basic contact information
  • General diagnosis or eligibility information
  • Where the person lives in Michigan
  • What kind of Moment they are hoping for
  • Important timing or urgency
  • Who should be involved
  • Accessibility, comfort, or logistical considerations
  • Any privacy concerns

Share only the personal and medical information needed for the request. One More Moment may follow up with the applicant, family, referral contact, or care-team professional for clarification. Confirmation from an oncology provider may also be requested when appropriate.

One More Moment does not provide medical advice, medical care, or emergency services. Medical questions should be directed to the person’s care team.

A Moment Does Not Have to Be Big

Wish granting for adults with cancer is not limited to large trips or elaborate events. A Moment may be:

  • Dinner with loved ones
  • A visit from someone important
  • Time at a favorite place
  • A short Michigan trip
  • A small family gathering
  • A quiet day with loved ones

The size of the experience does not determine its value. A familiar meal may hold decades of family memories. A short visit may create the conversation someone has been hoping to have. An afternoon near the water may offer a welcome change of pace and a chance to simply be together.

Help the person think about what matters, not what will look impressive from the outside.

One More Moment handles requests with care for privacy and dignity. The person facing cancer should understand that a request is being made and should be comfortable with the information being shared whenever possible.

Some people and families choose to share their Moment publicly. Stories or photographs are shared only with permission. Many Moments remain private and still matter deeply. Public storytelling is not what makes an experience meaningful, and a family does not have to turn a personal day into public content to receive thoughtful consideration.

If the person has privacy concerns, include them in the request or discuss them during follow-up. You can also review the Privacy Policy before sharing personal information.

What Happens After a Request Is Submitted?

After a request is submitted, One More Moment reviews it to understand the person, the requested Moment, and whether it fits the organization’s mission.

The team may:

  • Follow up for more information
  • Review eligibility and mission fit
  • Consider timing, safety, accessibility, and feasibility
  • Learn more about what would make the Moment personal
  • Work to plan the experience thoughtfully
  • Involve donors, volunteers, or local partners when appropriate

Every request is considered individually. Submitting a request does not guarantee approval, funding, timing, or availability. Health, logistics, partner availability, and resources can all affect what is possible.

If a request moves forward, the team works with the person and those helping them to coordinate the details. Read more about how One More Moment plans an adult cancer wish in Michigan.

How Referrals and Community Support Help

Families do not always know that adult cancer wish support exists. A thoughtful referral from a friend, social worker, hospice worker, oncology professional, church, or community contact can help someone find One More Moment at the right time.

Supporters can help by sharing accurate information, listening for what matters to the person, making an introduction, or helping with the request form. Local connections may also help identify practical resources when a Moment is being planned.

Donations make the experiences themselves possible. Because corporate donors and generous families and supporters help cover overhead, 100% of public donations go directly toward wish granting. If you would like to support future Moments, visit the Donate page.

Ready to Help Someone Begin?

Start with a conversation that centers the person facing cancer. If they would like help, you can sit with them while they complete the form, gather the basic information, or contact One More Moment with a question.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I request a Moment for someone else?

You may help someone begin a request or refer them to One More Moment. The person facing cancer should remain central to the request, and their preferences, comfort, and permission should guide the process whenever possible.

Who can help start an adult cancer wish request?

The person facing cancer, a family member, friend, caregiver, social worker, hospice worker, oncology professional, church, or community contact may help start a request.

What information is needed to request a Moment?

Helpful information includes contact details, general diagnosis and eligibility information, Michigan location, the Moment being requested, timing, who should be involved, and any privacy or logistical concerns. More information may be requested during review.

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

No. A Moment may be a dinner, visit, favorite place, short trip, family gathering, or quiet day with loved ones. Meaning matters more than size.

Are requests kept private?

Requests are handled carefully. Some Moment stories are shared publicly only with permission, while many remain private. Review the Privacy Policy for more information.

How can someone submit a request?

Use the Request a Moment form. If you have questions before submitting, 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