How to Request a Wish for an Adult With Stage 4 Cancer in Michigan
• Jason Pohlonski, Founder & Executive Director

How to Request a Wish for an Adult With Stage 4 Cancer in Michigan

If someone you love is an adult in Michigan facing Stage IV, advanced, or metastatic cancer, a One More Moment request can begin with a simple form or message. The request does not have to be perfect. It just needs to begin.

One More Moment helps adults in Michigan facing late-stage cancer create meaningful Moments with loved ones. These Moments are about time, connection, dignity, and memory when those things matter deeply.

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

Who Can Start a Request

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

A request or referral may come from:

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

The person facing cancer should remain central to the request. The goal is to understand what would feel meaningful to them and what support may be needed to help make that Moment possible.

What Information Is Helpful

The request does not need to include every detail at the beginning. It is helpful to share enough information for the team to understand the situation and follow up thoughtfully.

Helpful information may include:

  • The person’s name and location
  • Their cancer situation in general terms
  • The Moment they are hoping for
  • Why the Moment matters
  • Timing or health considerations
  • Contact information
  • Whether an oncology provider, hospice worker, or social worker can help confirm details if needed

Please share information carefully and only include what is needed for One More Moment to review the request. One More Moment does not provide medical advice, medical care, or emergency services.

A Moment Does Not Need to Be Extravagant

A One More Moment wish experience does not have to be a large trip, public event, or expensive experience to matter.

A Moment may be a family meal, a favorite place, a meaningful visit, a small trip, a special experience, or simply removing a barrier so loved ones can be together.

Sometimes the most meaningful Moment is quiet and personal. It might be time around a table, a short outing, a visit to a place filled with memories, or one more afternoon with the people who have been part of the cancer journey.

The best Moment is not always the biggest one. It is the one that feels meaningful to the person and their loved ones.

What Happens After a Request Is Submitted

After a request is submitted, the One More Moment team reviews the information with care. Someone may follow up for more details, especially if the team needs to better understand the requested Moment, timing, logistics, health considerations, or available resources.

In some situations, confirmation from an oncology provider, hospice worker, social worker, or other care-team contact may be requested. This helps the team understand the circumstances and whether the request fits the mission.

One More Moment may look at:

  • Whether the person appears to meet the mission focus
  • The requested Moment
  • Timing and health considerations
  • Safety and logistics
  • Available resources
  • Whether additional information is needed

Approval is not guaranteed, and One More Moment cannot guarantee timing, funding, or availability. Still, every request is handled with care, respect, and a desire to understand what would be meaningful for the person and their loved ones.

Privacy, Dignity, and Sharing a Moment

One More Moment respects the privacy and dignity of every person, family, and referral partner.

Some Moments may be shared publicly only with permission. Others remain private. A meaningful Moment does not need to be public to matter, and families should feel comfortable sharing only what they are ready to share.

Personal and medical information should be shared carefully. You can review the organization’s Privacy Policy to learn more about how submitted information is used.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a family member request a Moment?

Yes. A family member may help begin a request. A spouse or partner, friend, caregiver, oncology team member, hospice worker, social worker, church contact, or community contact may also help refer someone or start the process.

Does the person need to live in Michigan?

One More Moment supports adults in Michigan who are facing Stage IV, advanced, or metastatic cancer. Michigan residency is one of the main eligibility considerations for a request.

Does the person need to have Stage IV cancer?

One More Moment supports adults facing Stage IV, advanced, or metastatic cancer. If you are unsure whether a diagnosis fits, you can contact One More Moment before submitting a request. Confirmation from an oncology provider or care-team contact may be requested.

What kinds of wishes can be requested?

Moments can be simple or more involved. A request might focus on gathering with loved ones, visiting a meaningful place, sharing a meal, attending an event, taking a small trip, or creating a personal experience that matters to the person and their family.

Is every request approved?

No. Every request is reviewed with care, but submitting a request does not guarantee approval, funding, timing, or availability. One More Moment reviews each request based on the situation, mission fit, resources, logistics, safety, and the requested Moment.

Can an oncology team, hospice worker, or social worker refer someone?

Yes. An oncology team member, hospice worker, social worker, or other care-team contact may help refer someone or support a request. They may also be asked to help confirm details if needed.

Will the Moment be shared publicly?

Only with permission. Some Moments may be shared publicly when the person and family are comfortable with that. Other Moments remain private.

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. 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