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When a parent receives a terminal diagnosis, one of the first questions people ask is, “How can I help?” The truth is, families are often overwhelmed with appointments, treatments, work, and caring for their children. Friends and loved ones want to help…
On March 7-9, we welcome the newest Inheritance of Hope families to our Orlando Legacy Retreat® empowered by the Kendra Scott Foundation. During the retreat, families facing the loss of a parent will create lasting memories at Universal Studios, gain helpful resources…
Inheritance of Hope spoke with some of Holley Kitchen’s loved ones. They shared with us three pieces of advice based on how Holley lived out her last months. Holley battled metastatic breast cancer and passed away in January 2016. She serves on as a champion for…
Of all the things Holley Rothell Kitchen wanted to be—wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend—the role she is most widely known for is something no one wants to be: the face of metastatic breast cancer. Like most true heroes, Holley was an ordinary woman facing…
Originally posted in 2019, we honor Ann Camden and the legacy she built for her family. Ann passed away in July 2024, but used her time to live intentionally and advocate for others facing what she faced. I have never met Kendra Scott or her friend, Holley Kitchen,…
Originally posted in October 2020, we honor Erin and the legacy she built for her family. Erin passed away in March 2020, but used her time to live purposefully and give back to others facing what she faced. Erin Leland set her alarm for 5:30 am every morning. The…
We are thrilled to announce the launch of our new Refer-a-Friend program for our Legacy Video™ service! We believe in the power of storytelling and the importance of preserving cherished memories. Now, you can share this opportunity with your friends and family by…
If you’ve been around Inheritance of Hope for long enough, you will likely have heard of Legacy Videos™. This free offering is a personal and intentional recording where you can capture your story. It’s a precious gift for your family and friends that will last a…
Meredith “Mer” Olsoe lost her father to cancer at age 5. At that time, Inheritance of Hope was not a part of her family’s circle of support. Fast forward to today, Mer is now a young mom living with her family on a hobby farm in Minnesota and serving at her local…
Are you looking for a meaningful way to spread hope and make a difference in the lives of young families facing the loss of a parent? Inheritance of Hope (IoH) Practicum Students Mallory Font and Gabi Garcia invite you to join their “Fundraising as Ministry” project…
National Legacy Day™ is May 21! Did you know? Kristen and Deric Milligan founded Inheritance of Hope (IoH) on May 21, 2007. Kristen faced a rare terminal illness and looked for resources for her family but surprisingly found none. She and her husband decided to create…
On March 14-17, we welcome the newest Inheritance of Hope (IoH) families to our Orlando Legacy Retreat® presented by Kendra Scott. During the retreat, families facing the loss of a parent will create lasting memories at Universal Studios, gain helpful resources for…
Inheritance of Hope was founded in 2007 by Kristen and Deric Milligan, and although Kristen passed away in 2012, her legacy is timeless. I am a woman fighting a terminal diagnosis of stage 4 liver cancer. But this does not define me. I am also a wife and a mother…
Originally posted in October 2019, we honor Ann and the legacy she created for her family. Ann passed away in July 2024, but used her time to live purposefully and give back to others facing what she faced. I didn’t know Holley Kitchen but I visualize her face when I…
Raising teenagers is difficult enough. Trying to do so alone is downright exhausting. Add in the complications that come along with a pandemic, and the fact that single parenting is a result of losing your spouse, and well, things could seem near impossible. Some…
Inheritance of Hope (IoH) was founded on May 21, 2007, which means the organization has been inspiring hope for 15 years! Families from 48 states facing the loss of a parent due to terminal illness have been served to date. IoH believes that “Every Family Deserves a…
As we finish up our LiveWeak series, we thought you would be interested to hear how Kristen finished hers. You may remember that she began with the idea of providing a Bible study to go along with training for a marathon. At the time, she was weakened from surgery,…
“LiveWeak” was Kristen Milligan’s way of embracing the unwelcome truth that she was not in control. Most of us know this fact, yet we instinctively fight against it. Putting on a brave face, keeping a stiff upper lip, being self-sufficient, pushing through–all…
Dear IoH Family, We have come through a year and a half of tremendous change, which has been as invigorating as it has been challenging. We can all be rightly proud, as well as humbly grateful, for how we have innovated and adapted our methods while staying true to…
Inheritance of Hope’s story began with one family’s decision to live with intention in the face of terminal illness. Inspired by Kristen Milligan’s example of meaningful, everyday legacy-building, this post shares simple and heartfelt ways families can create lasting…
Elliot Lannan entered a drastically different world than the one her big brother Noah, age 20, was born into. Arriving in June, smack in the middle of a pandemic, her early days have been shaped by the pace of quarantine. When Noah takes a study break, it’s Elliot…
October 26 marks eight years since our Co-Founder Kristen Milligan passed away. Kristen and her husband Deric spent too much time in the gray space of uncertainty–waiting at doctor’s offices, waiting for test results, waiting for a cure. In 2010, Deric wrote…
“We just take it one day at a time. One day at a time.” This is how Bryant Baird is coping as a newly single father. The Baird family has suffered some hard hits this year–his father in law died one month to the day before Bryant’s wife Crystal passed away…
“I pray, and pray, and pray, and then I pray some more,” shares Shirley Derricot on her approach to life. She is honest–there is a lot to pray for, from staying safe during the pandemic to hoping that her two Black sons stay safe out in the world. Shirley’s…
For Jennifer Dorado, there is a way to live through a pandemic with metastatic breast cancer, “One day at a time.” The 37-year-old mother of three, former competitive softball player, and unrelenting optimist has a simple but effective outlook, “A positive mind gives…
When jewelry designer Kendra Scott created the Metastatic Breast Cancer Necklace Charm Set, she honored a friendship cut short. When Cindy Fish gave the pendant to Becca Willson, she did the same. And though neither Cindy nor Becca have ever met Kendra, their…
Like the Legacy Videos, this is a great way to connect with and bless your family when you’re gone…Or in my case, when you lose the ability to speak! Yesterday was my wife’s birthday. I gave her these pictures with the QR Code. When she scans…
We are Inheritance of Hope. So, I was pondering: what is hope? If you ask most people about hope, they will tell you about their dreams. I hope to retire with enough money to live comfortably. I hope my kids grow up to be happy and healthy people. We think of hope as…
This blog post was originally published in 2016, and these families have both had many changes since then–happy changes! The Loners now have two healthy grandchildren they enjoy spending time with, and are proud to report that their three grown children are…
Many of our families living with brain cancer contributed to this article–sharing what they hope is helpful advice for those who, most of all, just want to be helpful! 1. “Don’t assume just because someone looks fine on the outside that they are OK.”…
Originally published in May 2019, Cheryl continues to climb her mountains, particularly inspiring others living with brain cancer. If Cheryl Broyles is a little more teary-eyed than most moms at Oregon State University’s graduation this spring, she has good…
In these days of uncertainty and limited social interaction, you might find yourself frustrated by the way your life has changed over the past few weeks (or even days). Those of us with ALS or other debilitating diseases get it. But if we can adapt, you can…
Jake Anderson can’t describe his wife Becky without mentioning her smile, “You don’t have to say anything else–you could just see her smile.” That smile was a window into how Becky lived with her metastatic breast cancer diagnosis amidst raising three…
“This is important–you should do it even if you don’t want to.” –Rebecca Milligan Rebecca Milligan has invaluable advice for terminally ill parents. Still in elementary school when her mother, Kristen, died, Rebecca is now seventeen, and can honestly say…
We can all be intentional, even in the little things. In this article, Ashlea shares 3 practical ways that you can show love to others today. Being Intentional in the Small Things There’s something irreplaceable about intentionality, no matter how small the gesture….
First posted on January 22, 2019 in advance of the Kendra Scott-sponsored Inheritance of Hope Legacy RetreatⓇ. We celebrate these amazing women and their commitment to give back! When asked why she gives her time to Inheritance of Hope, Dionna Koval quickly and…
Only eight years old, Caitlin Shorey has a big voice, and people are listening. While she often uses it to belt out Broadway show tunes, lately this powerhouse of a third-grader has been speaking up for one of her favorite charities, Inheritance of Hope (IoH). IoH…
Almost two years ago, Cristina Tebolt, described by her husband Seiji Shiraishi as a “city girl,” visited New York City for the last time. Having lived there before the couple married, Cristina was in her element. The Big Apple was decked out for the holidays, and…
In February 2014, Carol Lacert accompanied her daughter Marci Guay and granddaughter Hannah Guay to an Inheritance of Hope Legacy RetreatⓇ in Orlando. At the time, Marci, who had been diagnosed with breast cancer, was enjoying good health, but like many of our…
If a picture is worth a thousand words, Hannah Black’s smile says it all. Hannah with her beautiful art. Hannah recently sold her artwork and donated all proceeds to Inheritance of Hope in memory of her mother Laura. Hannah knows all too well the challenges IoH…
Taylor Ethridge pauses as she thinks over a question. The Community Outreach and Event Planner for Kendra Scott Orlando is being interviewed about her recent experience volunteering at an Inheritance of Hope Legacy Retreat®. She is not getting off easy, “Can you…
Repeat volunteer Nate Most first heard of Inheritance of Hope at a small tractor dealership in his hometown of Brady, Nebraska. A rancher, Nate was simply doing business and was surprised when a stranger who had come in for oil approached him and told about how his…
When I consider purchasing something new whether it be a camera, television, car minivan, or refrigerator I find myself asking everyone I know for their opinion. I also have been know to search online for reviews and comments to help me make my decision. This also…