Inheritance of Hope Stories
Meet the newest member of our staff, Olivia Blakeman! Olivia joins Inheritance of Hope as the Programming and Development Coordinator for Legacy Retreats®. Her personal experience, passion to serve families, and friendly personality make her a great addition to our…
Meet the newest member of our staff, Olivia Blakeman! Olivia joins Inheritance of Hope as the Programming and Development Coordinator for Legacy Retreats®. Her personal experience, passion to serve families, and friendly personality make her a great addition to our…
A 1-minute story to put a smile on your face 23 smiles for 2023! Facebook Twitter Email Print
A 1-minute story to put a smile on your face Happy New Year! Be intentional in 2023 and make memories with your loved ones. Facebook Twitter Email Print
Ten years is a long time. Yet here we are. When we first lose a loved one, it is almost impossible to imagine what a decade without them would look like. In 2012, knowing she had just a short time to live, Kristen Milligan herself probably could not imagine what…
In early 2011, Kristen Milligan decided to write a Bible study. Not just any Bible study, but one that was designed to be completed over fifteen weeks and serve as an accompaniment to training for a marathon. Kristen saw a marathon as a metaphor for thriving while…
The IoH family has grown so much in the past ten years that many people never knew Kristen. Here are a few things we would like you to know. She was kind-hearted, and the picture of grace and humility. She always gave people the benefit of the doubt. She kept a…
Originally published in September 2020, Jen’s story continues to inspire us. When Jen Roett saw Kendra Scott’s metastatic breast cancer necklace charm set on Instagram, “I was like, ‘done!’” she raves, “And I bought it as soon as it came out.” One-year-old…
Originally posted in September 2019. Andrea now serves as an IoH volunteer at Hope Hub™ in DC and on Legacy Retreats®. Her heart to give back to other families is an inspiration. As a young widow raising five children, Andrea Albanese wants her late husband Jim to…
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…
On July 28-31, young families facing the loss of a parent attended Inheritance of Hope’s (IoH) Nashville Legacy Retreat® in partnership with the Tennessee Credit Union League (TCUL).During the Legacy Retreat®, families from around the country made lasting memories…
On July 28-31, we will welcome the newest IoH families to our Nashville Legacy Retreat® in partnership with the Tennessee Credit Union League (TCUL). The Tennessee Credit Union League was first introduced to Inheritance of Hope through Kim Bohannon, TCUL’s Chief…
On May 20-23, we welcomed our newest Inheritance of Hope families at our San Diego Legacy Retreat®. Families made priceless memories together as they enjoyed beach activities around Paradise Point Island Resort, and a day of fun at SeaWorld. Throughout the weekend,…
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…
“You would look at her and think she’s just like the rest of us,” Dawn Billingslea says of her friend and former colleague Barbara Gulick, “But, she’s not like us at all. She is extraordinary.” Maybe it’s the kintsukuroi. Barbara Gulick’s life has been all about…
Inheritance of Hope (IoH) is expanding its offerings with the launch of its first Hope Hub™ in the Washington, D.C. area. Through local in-person support for young families facing the loss of a parent due to terminal illness, Hope Hub™ offers hope-inspired…
March 18, 2023 marks the 50th birthday of Inheritance of Hope Co-Founder Kristen Grady Milligan. Now, ten years after she passed away, many in our IoH family never knew Kristen. Instead, most of you only know of her as the loving mom who cemented her legacy in…
On March 4-7, we will welcome 42 young families facing the loss of a parent to our Orlando Legacy Retreat® presented by Kendra Scott. During this special weekend, diagnosed parents, their caregivers, and children will create lasting memories, learn strategies to help…
New Hope@Home™ Groups Coordinator Allie Jones always knew she wanted to be some sort of first responder. In college, she did patrol ride-alongs in preparation to become a police officer and also explored a career in the Coast Guard. But, as soon as she heard about…
Not only do we have a new staff member to introduce, but with the addition of Tessa Martinson to the Inheritance of Hope (IoH) team, we are also introducing a new offering–Hope Hubs™! Tessa will be leading IoH into new territory: ongoing in-person groups. “This…
Longtime Inheritance of Hope supporter Kara Durgin upped her involvement with the organization just as the pandemic struck. The two-time onsite retreat volunteer refused to be sidelined when service opportunities moved online, and instead showed up for our families…
Originally published in 2017, Heather’s perspective continues to be an encouragement. “What if this is our last Christmas together?” If someone in your family has been diagnosed with a terminal illness, this stomach-dropping, breath-stealing question has…
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 scored a hole in one with the Tennessee Credit Union League–our newest partner in serving young families facing the loss of a parent. The TCUL has been around since 1934, and just recently held their 80th convention. This year, however, the…
Shelby Jo Lewis is no stranger to most of our Inheritance of Hope families. A 13-time Legacy Retreat® volunteer and our former social media intern, Shelby not only knows hundreds of IoH families, but she is part of one herself. So, when her name popped up on cards…
At Inheritance of Hope, we recently marked 14 years of serving families facing the loss of a parent. Deric Milligan, who Co-Founded IoH with his late wife Kristen, has been at the helm the entire time. Now, with confidence, Deric will transition into a different…
At Inheritance of Hope, we recently marked 14 years of serving families facing the loss of a parent. Deric Milligan, who Co-Founded IoH with his late wife Kristen, has been at the helm the entire time. Now, with confidence, Deric will transition into a different…
Back in 2019, we honored Anna Conti as she served on her twentieth retreat, (since then, she has logged seven more!) and now we celebrate Anna in a new position: Inheritance of Hope’s Marketing and Communications Coordinator. Yes–IoH is very lucky! Just shy of…
Kim Bohannon and her family were introduced to Inheritance of Hope just when they needed us most–on an IoH Legacy Retreat® in May 2015 when her husband was living with the terminal diagnosis of Multiple System Atrophy. The Bohannon family had very little time…
Tracy Ogden knows that if she can become a Legacy Builder, anyone can, “Until I committed to give monthly to Inheritance of Hope, I had never done anything like that before. Having the mindset of a divorced mom who raised two girls, I was always conscientious of a…
Take our word for it when we say you can’t find an easier person to talk to than Shelly Storm. That is exactly what filming a Legacy Video is–a conversation between friends–and we guarantee you will consider Shelly a friend within seconds. With her…
“Legacy Builder” describes Martha Tofteland perfectly. Not only did she help her late husband Ryan leave tangible evidence of his love for their young children, but she donates monthly to Inheritance of Hope so that other families might access the same resources that…
One thing our IoH families all have in common is the desire to help others on this same road, and to make the path easier where possible. Many of our families affected by brain cancer have particularly positive outlooks, and want to share that with anyone else facing…
Inheritance of Hope volunteers mean it when they call a family “theirs.” Just ask Colleen Urlaub and Judy Guerra. Judy was the volunteer paired with Colleen’s family at the Orlando Legacy Retreat® in February 2019, and the two former strangers are now family. …
Facing yet another Friday night “in?” Squares on your calendar a little too blank? Kids whining “I’m bored” over and over? Inheritance of Hope can help! Join us for Family Game Night on Friday, April 30th. We guarantee laughs, fun for all ages, and IoH…
In 2017, Amy and Andrew Thomas attended an in-person Inheritance of Hope Legacy Retreat® with their three-year-old son, River. Amy was first diagnosed with breast cancer when River was just one, and then re-diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer two and a half…
How many rubber band bracelets does it take to send one child on an Inheritance of Hope Legacy Retreat®? Nine-year-old Hayden Cochran raised $1300 for IoH families Hayden Cochran answered that question by selling handmade bracelets and keychains to raise $1300 for…
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…