Inheritance of Hope Stories
How can we continue to support a family after their loved one has passed away? At Inheritance of Hope, our goal is to purposefully be with those left behind, to walk alongside those who grieve. We know we could never fill the emptiness that remains, but we also know…
Who has been to a family reunion with former NFL players, the author of a beloved young adult adventure series, award-winning musicians, and THE Soul Surfer? We have! All that was missing from our Inheritance of Hope eReunion were those extra pieces of your…
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…
On October 11, 2020, Dana Gilmour ran the Chicago Marathon, by himself, near his home of Portsmouth, Rhode Island. He was the only runner in this race, but he wasn’t alone. Friends, supporters, his children, and women affected in some way by breast cancer joined…
“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…
For months, Leeland Garrison heard about Inheritance of Hope. His school raised money to send families on Legacy Retreats®, and then his dad became a retreat volunteer last November. A friend attended the April 2020 eLegacy Retreat™, and by July, Leeland decided he…
“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…
Connections. That is what we do best here at Inheritance of Hope. Connecting families who feel isolated, scared, and often hopeless. So, how are those connections working now via Zoom? In short, pretty well! On August 21st-23rd, we welcomed 17 families to our…
On Father’s Day, Inheritance of Hope celebrates our dads. Like any family, we think our dads are the best! We asked a few for their thoughts on being a father, or what they consider to be the most important advice they offer their children. Here is…
We bet one of these ideas will make your dad feel special! Have a ballpark or stadium-themed night with hotdogs, nachos, and his favorite game day food. Don’t forget to wear your fan gear, and ask your dad about his favorite moments playing or watching games! Let…
For Adam Hayden, “Storytelling is a pathway toward a meaningful life.” This nugget of wisdom, shared in his speech at the 2019 End Well Symposium, drives the narrative of Adam’s every day. Most people only think of death in the broadest of terms, but Adam, who holds…
It’s a friendship from the era of floppy discs and homemade scrapbooks. Chris Douglas and Greg Loerzel met in the computer lab of North Dakota State University as aspiring engineers, and Greg’s wife Maria has proof of the many adventures they have had ever since. …
This story was originally posted in 2019, and we are honored to repost as we acknowledge brain cancer awareness month. A year later, the Coleman family has continued to grow, adding two dogs, three cats, and activities for both kids, who stay busy with various…
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…
It was a love story for the books, and although many readers know how it ends, “The Caregiver’s Companion” is still a page-turner. Not because of the suspense, but because of the sometimes heady, often poetic, and always authentic language that Bill Chionis (2011 NYC…
We are honored to feature Kaila Hayden as a guest blogger this month in recognition of ALS awareness month. Kaila and her family were served on the August 2014 Inheritance of Hope Legacy Retreat in Orlando. Kaila has since volunteered on four retreats, and brings a…
Originally published on our blog in May 2019, we are excited to repost Jordan Gersh’s artwork in honor of brain cancer awareness month. Like most college students, Jordan is currently living at home while taking online classes. She is making the most of her…
Originally posted in May 2019, we would like to share, once again, Gabe and Erin Matheny’s story of hope, and the best news of all–that they are still thriving! “If I could, I would make people go on an Inheritance of Hope Legacy RetreatⓇ,” says Gabe…
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.”…
Jennifer O’Gorman’s number one piece of advice for families facing what she has faced is this: “Everyone has lots of advice for you, but you have to do what you know is best and trust your gut. You have to do what feels right for you.” In May 2013, Jennifer’s husband…
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…
Lex Berthelsen was shocked in December 2017 upon being diagnosed with grade 3a stage IV follicular lymphoma. The father of three, along with his wife Brooke, immediately sought out cancer survivors and cancer thrivers, relationships that led them to Inheritance of…
What do families do? They laugh together. They cry together. They celebrate together. They make memories together. And, they have family reunions! We look forward to opening registration once our vendors resume normal operations. In the meantime, mark your calendars:…
“It was like a giant hug, just wrapped up in a fancy bow,” described Laura Scampoli of the recent Inheritance of Hope C.A.R.E. Retreat that she attended with her children. Originally, Laura, her husband Rich, and their four daughters were scheduled to attend an…
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…
While the rest of the world learns to social distance, it’s business as usual for many of our Inheritance of Hope families. There’s nothing quite like a terminal diagnosis or deadly virus to quickly scrap plans and teach necessary health saving measures. For our IoH…
Out of our record-breaking 16 new volunteers, five are former family members served–and you know what that meant–lots of hugs and smiles as we welcomed them back! Get to know a few of them here! Our newest Inheritance of Hope volunteers along with our…
11 new volunteers joined the IoH family to take a bite out of the Big Apple during our recent Inheritance of Hope Legacy RetreatⓇ in NYC. Meet a few of them here! Front row (l to r): Libby Storm, Anneli Shaw, Baylie McClafferty, Katie AtwaterMiddle row (l to r):…
This piece was originally published in November 2011 by Inheritance of Hope Co-Founder Kristen Milligan. Kristen passed away from a rare liver cancer in 2012, but her legacy remains through her vision of serving other families like her own. The LORD is my strength and…
As a fourteen-year-old high school freshman, Ethan Harned emptied his savings, not to buy video games or the latest Nike Air Force Ones, but to support a charity he had only just learned about. It has been two years now since Ethan met Carrey Dewey, a young mother…
Marriage is one of those things sometimes described as “a marathon, not a sprint.” In that case, Tonya King and Tim Mahoney are more than ready! The couple recently ran the Bank of America Chicago Marathon as part of Team IoH, and that finish line was just their…
Being a big ‘ole family, we just love to welcome new folks in and celebrate all the ways people find Inheritance of Hope! Here are the stories of how a few recent volunteers became involved. Nine new volunteers reported for duty in Orlando on our August retreat! (L…
Which of our veteran volunteers was once pulled over by police while conducting official IoH business? If you guessed attorney Rusty Hedges, you are correct! He might practice law, but he’s not above it! While serving on an Orlando retreat, Rusty was driving a couple…
Ashlea Milligan’s parents Kristen and Deric founded Inheritance of Hope together after Kristen was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer. Ashlea has perspective that resonates with the broader IoH family, and through her writing, hopes to shed light on issues…
Coming to college and discussing childhood with my friends has been a fascinating exploration. My roommates and I come from different backgrounds. While we all grew up under similar circumstances, all American, UNC Chapel Hill-bound children, there are variances that…
Mikki Jeschke describes her ten years with breast cancer as an “up and down journey.” Some of her journey has been by boat. Dragon Boat, that is. In 2009, Mikki underwent a mastectomy and fought through subsequent radiation and chemotherapy. Three years later, she…
At Inheritance of Hope (IoH), we talk a lot about legacy. We know firsthand that when faced with a life-threatening illness, nothing can be controlled, except for how we want to be remembered. On the fourth annual Kendra Scott “Holley Day,” Holley Kitchen’s sisters…
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…
Luke Milligan, the middle child and only son of IoH Co-Founders Kristen and Deric Milligan, knows how much his mom loved him. Kristen made sure her presence and love would be felt through gifts, videos, and letters long after her premature death forced her to leave…
The gifts that I have received from my Mom following her death have been of immeasurable value, but no more so than the ones I received from her while she was alive. The true value of her gifts have come from the knowledge that she was considering me and my future…
“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…
October 26th marks the seventh anniversary of when Inheritance of Hope Co-Founder Kristen Milligan passed away. In those seven years, her children have reached milestone birthdays, high school rites of passage, started driving, and two have gone off to college….
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…
Erica Chase-Salerno was a gifted writer who graciously shared her thoughts and words with the larger Inheritance of Hope family. Erica attended the January 2018 IoH retreat, and wrote this for us the following October, in celebration of Holley Day. Erica passed away…
Holley Kitchen battled metastatic breast cancer before passing away in 2016. She put her family first. She adored her two sons, Bryson and Colby, and made the most of her time with them. She learned to live intentionally and inspired those around her to do the same….
When I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer at 28 years old with three very young children, the only thing I ever thought about or wanted was to make meaningful and fun memories with my children and husband that were full of joy. During my year of very hard…
Aisha Thomas is choosing joy, just weeks after her husband Brad passed away. How is she doing it? Here she shares her tips, advice, and daily routines for faith-keeping and faith-building in a time that could feel hopeless. I know God’s love is real because I could…
Just a few weeks into life without her husband Brad, Aisha Thomas has made one thing clear–she is choosing joy and gratitude. The two are inextricably linked, and for Aisha, one begets the other. In continuing the family’s practice of gratitude, which the…
Over the summer, fourteen-year-old Tyler Emmerd chose to focus on Inheritance of Hope for a speech that he gave to 30 of his peers–well, if you can call seniors peers to an incoming high school freshman! Tyler admits to some serious nerves before taking this…
Fourteen-year-old Tyler Emmerd chose to focus on Inheritance of Hope for a speech that he gave to 30 of his peers. Tyler and his family attended the Orlando May 2017 Legacy RetreatⓇ, and he counts visiting Sea World among his favorite memories. This animal lover had…
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…
The IoH family welcomed nine new volunteers into our ranks at the first-ever North Carolina Inheritance of Hope Legacy RetreatⓇ: Beth Batchelder, Suzie Boatright, Hailey Boonstra, Rae McMannis, Fred Morse, Dawn Keel, Marina Randles, Diane Sohl, and Jill Vaughan. New…
Our family is growing. Inheritance of Hope now has a roster of 300+ amazing volunteers! On our Orlando Legacy Retreat in April, we were thrilled to welcome the following into our ranks: Ethan Baur, Clara Beovich, Caroline Braun, Mara Caples, Ally Dee, Anna Latimer,…
Long after all other retreat-goers are tucked in for the night, Mikki Skinner and Rachel Streelman tuck into a bag of gummy bears, a little wine, and reruns of Friends. The professional photographers have cumulatively snapped their way through 13 Inheritance of Hope…
On any Inheritance of Hope Legacy RetreatⓇ, Anna Conti’s hands are full. With little hands. Our chief “hand-holder” and “sticker-sticker” is rarely without a charge of adoring little ones basking in the sunshine of her undivided attention. Anna knows that debates…
“Scents of Hope,” Marti Ogren’s candle business, is aptly named. The preschool teacher, who also spent 35 years in a first grade classroom, has found her second calling, and her purpose is bigger than filling your home with pleasant fragrances. Lest you get the…
Jenna Maier, 14, wants to “ show that no matter your age, you can make a difference.” The Willow Creek Middle School eighth grader from Rochester, Minnesota, has done just that. In November, Jenna cooked up a fundraising campaign for Inheritance of Hope. By…
“I wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere else for my birthday,” said Katelyn Hodge of turning 18 while serving on the most recent Kendra Scott-sponsored Inheritance of Hope Legacy RetreatⓇ to Orlando. The feeling was mutual–and we hope to celebrate 19 with her as…
I’ve been thinking about Martha from the Bible a lot lately. Martha often gets a bad rap due to her busyness in wanting to serve the Lord, while her sister Mary was content with just being at Jesus’ feet. It’s often preached to us that we should be “a Mary in a Martha…
Those who come into the world with another person, a twin, are never alone. The lives of identical twins are so innately blended together that moving from an “us” to a “me” can seem impossible. Losing Kris meant losing my identity–my PLURAL identity–and…
Hannah Black will graduate from high school on March 22, just days ahead of her 22nd birthday, and when she does, her contagious smile will say what words cannot. The young artist is unable to use speech to communicate, but expresses herself through facial cues, a…
Henry Nicsinger was cured of cancer once, then he was cured again, and again, and again, and again. Diagnosed with testicular cancer at 31, declared cancer-free after undergoing surgery, Henry went through surgery once more twenty years later when he was found to have…
Shannon Fogarty holds the distinction of being one of our most successful fundraisers who is also a past retreat participant. To date, this family member served-turned Inheritance of Hope super fundraiser has sent six families on a life-changing Legacy RetreatⓇ….
One of the newest members of the Inheritance of Hope family plans to come back as soon as she can. Dionna Koval turned in her volunteer application just weeks after participating in our NYC Legacy RetreatⓇ this past November. Before their retreat, Dionna and her son…
While most people were eating leftovers or searching for Black Friday deals, on the day after Thanksgiving in 2016, Tracy Higley was diagnosed with de novo stage IV metastatic breast cancer. This was her first incidence of cancer, thus the label “de novo,” a less…
In the fall of 2016, Melinda Hodge had a routine, normal mammogram. Six months later, a lump was discovered at her yearly well visit, and she was subsequently diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. Scans showed that it had already spread to her brain and bones,…
Lauren Latimer vividly remembers her introduction to Inheritance of Hope, “When my mom first told me she wanted our family to go on an IoH Legacy RetreatⓇ, I was like, ‘Sorry. That doesn’t sound like fun. I don’t want to go on a cancer retreat.’” The…
Since the Strebe family attended an Inheritance of Hope Legacy RetreatⓇ in February 2014, Jon and Donna have only missed a handful. Between the two of them, they have volunteered at 12 retreats. That’s worth repeating–a dozen Legacy Retreats! The Strebe family…
A chance click of the mouse led Bob Sauer to Inheritance of Hope (IoH), but his involvement since then has been nothing short of dedicated. While scrolling through charity partners on the Marine Corps Marathon website, Bob came across the IoH logo and double-clicked…
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…
Elise Barrett has sound advice for caregivers who are walking the same path she has walked: “One of the things I had to learn over and over again is that human capacity is limited,” she recently shared. “These experiences take more out of you than you can replenish,…
Holli Brown calls Inheritance of Hope “the most intentional charity we know,” high praise from this recipient of the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of over 4,000 hours she has given as a volunteer. Holli, a flight attendant with Southwest…
Geoff Lewis was 31 years old, engaged, and a new business owner when he was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer in 2007. For eight years, he “fought like hell,” according to his younger brother Josh. A hard-worker and optimist until the very end, Geoff passed away…
Through the generous donation of Analgesic Healthcare, one family will be sponsored and fully-funded on an upcoming Inheritance of Hope Legacy RetreatⓇ. According to Roy Edgerton, CEO of Analgesic Healthcare, Inheritance of Hope was a natural choice for the company…
The families Isaiah Douglas has volunteered for consider him a hero, but the soft-spoken college freshman shrugs off their praise with a “that’s what I’m here for” attitude. Known as patient, kind, and wise beyond his 18 years, Isaiah has a knack for connecting with…
In January 2018, fashion designer and philanthropist, Kendra Scott provided a Legacy Retreat® for 10 families facing a metastatic breast cancer diagnosis. IoH is dear to Kendra’s heart, and she and her company are quickly becoming dear to the heart of IoH. Kendra…
In May 2017, when we had a big Legacy Retreat in Orlando, I got to know one of the families, the House family, pretty closely. We had four days with the House family, and they flew by like they always do. We do these retreats trusting that the impact is not only for…
In our final installment of this series, Co-Founder and CEO Deric Milligan talks with Communications Manager Angie Howell about his memories, and what has changed in the past ten years. IoH: What are some of the memories that stand out to you the most from the August…
Communications Manager Angie Howell continues our conversations with members of the IoH family who were on our very first Legacy RetreatⓇ to Lake George in August 2008. Meg Hill served as the children’s counselor that weekend, and leading up to the retreat, began to…
The Heinzelmans–Sue, Mark, Jessica, and Robbie–were one of seven families on our first Legacy RetreatⓇ to Lake George in New York during the summer of 2008. Our Communications Manager, Angie Howell, recently caught up with mom Sue to hear how the family is…
These days, Stephen Poquette is the director of fall retreats and internships at Camp Timberline in Estes Park, Colorado. Back in November 2016, his most important job was that of caregiver to his mom, Teresa Bloss. Stephen and his brothers Josh and Andrew Bloss…
In 2015, we interviewed Tayler Chandler as she wrapped up “Walk it Out for IoH,” a 5K designed for all fitness levels that the then-high school senior planned and organized. Tayler raised $5,100, enough to send a family like hers on a Legacy RetreatⓇ! Tayler’s “Walk…
Conversation with Tom Dodd, participant on our first Legacy RetreatⓇ August of 2018 marks the ten-year anniversary of our very first Legacy RetreatⓇ! In the summer of 2008, seven families enjoyed fun and fellowship together on the shores of Lake George in the…
We are honored to post Jenny Mosier’s story here, in her own words. Thank you, Jenny, for sharing your IoH and Southwest stories! In December, our family was accepted for an all-expenses paid vacation courtesy of Inheritance of Hope (IoH). IoH provides Legacy…
Inheritance of Hope (IoH) is a non-profit organization that inspires hope in young families facing the loss of a parent. Through all-expenses-paid Legacy RetreatsⓇ, parents who have been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, along with their caregiver and…
A Facebook post and a few clicks led Heidi Benson to Inheritance of Hope, and she has served on almost every Legacy Retreat since. A friend of a friend posted about their retreat experience as a volunteer, and as she read more, Heidi says she immediately knew she…
Dena Austin and her husband Blake are veteran Legacy RetreatⓇ volunteers, and now Dena is stepping into the role of Legacy Retreat and Venue Coordinator. A volunteer since 2016, Coordinator since January 2017, and supporter since 2014, Dena knew she wanted to become…
John Thomas, known to friends and family as “JT,” ran the Big Sur Marathon at the end of April in support of Inheritance of Hope. This was JT’s 27th completed marathon–yes, you read that right–27th! JT was introduced to Inheritance of Hope through his…
I want to applaud our volunteers and staff for doing so many things well. One of the hardest things to do is to create a place for grief to be shared without needing to “fix” it. I’ve seen it happening throughout Legacy Retreats. Here is our…
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…
There’s something about childhood that, even in old age, people find reassuring. The nostalgia and sweet memories of looking back at a simpler time in your life are priceless, and remain treasures for a lifetime. So, often times, when people imagine a 12-year-old…
Favorite TV show: Fresh Prince of Bel Air (favorite actor: Will Smith!) Favorite board game: Settlers of Catan States I’ve been to, in the past 2 years: Florida, Michigan, Tennessee, Texas, New York, Colorado, Utah, Nebraska, Iowa, South Carolina, North…
Dillon Padgett, veteran Legacy Retreat volunteer, has recently joined the Inheritance of Hope team in a staff role. The self-described first-time “accidental volunteer” has now logged six retreats. His introduction to serving at Legacy Retreats was in the Spring of…
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…
The baby in our logo is all grown up. The “o” in hope is based on a photo of the Milligan children Most of us in the Inheritance of Hope family are familiar with Rebecca Milligan, the youngest child of Co-Founders Deric and Kristen Milligan. Just seven months old when…
Angie Howell first volunteered for Inheritance of Hope in 2012 and has been involved ever since. “Like most volunteers,” she says, “I knew I would come back!” Angie was introduced to IoH by her former Davidson College classmate, Co-Founder Kristen Milligan. Kristen…