Inheritance of Hope Stories

Midkiff Family at Their Legacy Retreat®

Athlete Spotlight: Kathy Midkiff

Kathy Midkiff ran the Chicago marathon—her first—this past October in support of Inheritance of Hope (IoH). Her fundraising goal was to raise enough money to send an entire family on a Legacy Retreat®. Kathy’s daughter-in-law, Kerri Midkiff, was diagnosed with…

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Zach (far right) with His Parents and the Crawford Family

Inspirer Spotlight: Zach Austin

Zachary Austin, 13, of Brevard, NC, first learned about Inheritance of Hope (IoH) when two of his friends were given the opportunity to attend a Legacy Retreat®. Erik and Jason Crawford went with their parents, John and Heather, on the Orlando Legacy Retreat® in…

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A Beautiful Place to Run with Purpose

Athlete Spotlight: Andrea Kent

Andrea Kent was not a runner until 2000, when her husband of 20 years died unexpectedly. She began to run in order to cope with her grief, and explains, “I didn’t know what to do, so I just started running.” Within a year, she ran her first marathon. Now, at age 59,…

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Ironman Competes for IoH

Jeff Carter attended the May 2014 Orlando Legacy Retreat® with his family.  Since his wife was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer, he has taken up endurance fitness, and he paid forward his Legacy Retreat® experience by using his Florida Ironman training to promote…

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Times Square Countdown

When most people think about a Times Square countdown, they think of a giant ball being lowered from a tall pole in the center of New York City while millions of people count down to a new year.  Confetti. Music. Celebration.    Well, Inheritance of Hope is about to…

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Carrey and Eric in 2001

Marriage Vows – September 2016

Carrey, a wife and mom with ALS, originally shared this post here on August 4th. On this day 15 years ago, Eric and I vowed to unite as one. We joined at the altar in a small, white, Little-House-on-the-Prairie-type chapel. We stood side by side, no bridesmaids or…

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John Takes Off at the Legacy Run Start Line

Athlete Spotlight: John Raneri

John Raneri was the first male half marathoner to cross the 2016 Hunter Subaru Legacy Run finish line, with a time of 1:08:41. A native of New Fairfield, CT, he attended the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill and has been running for 11 years. What are some…

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Haylee with Her Family at the May 2012 Orlando Legacy Retreat®

Volunteer Spotlight: Haylee Bunner

Haylee Bunner turned in her Inheritance of Hope volunteer application as soon as she could–the very day she turned 18. She had been waiting for the chance to serve families like hers for quite some time. Haylee, her brother Cameron, and their parents Matthew and…

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Shawanna nears victory in the Hunter Subaru Legacy Run Half Marathon.

Athlete Spotlight: Shawanna White

Shawanna White was the first female half marathoner to cross the 2016 Hunter Subaru Legacy Run finish line with a time of 1:24:17. She’s been running 17 years and has participated in many races, including Cooper River Bridge (SC), Mercedes Benz Marathon (AL), and Get…

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Strebe Family at Their Legacy Retreat®

Family Spotlight: Strebe Family

Strebe Family at their Legacy Retreat® The Strebe family—Jon, Donna, Luke, Ryan, and Emma Kate—attended an Orlando Legacy Retreat® in February 2014, shortly after Jon underwent a bone marrow transplant and thoracic surgery. At the time, he was battling stage 3…

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Paying it Forward!

Paying it Forward

Thanks to your continued support, Inheritance of Hope reached a new milestone at the Orlando Legacy Retreat® in January – it marked our 300th family served! The retreat also marked another record – 12 family members served returned as volunteers! “Past…

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Wood family at the NYC Legacy Retreat®

IoH Miracle on 34th Street

This Miracle on 34th Street was just the beginning of a beautiful  partnership between Tony and Inheritance of Hope. Since that Legacy Retreat in 2015 he has continued to provide front row, VIP seating for Inheritance of Hope families at the Saks 5th Avenue Holiday…

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Click to visit the RachelMade web site!

Partner Spotlight: RachelMade

Rachel Pearson dreams big: “Ten years, cover of Forbes… yeah, I can see that.” Anyone who meets Rachel can too. But successful growth for her young business of organic skincare products is not her only goal. “I want to educate you and heal your skin. And I want to…

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The Broyles Family receives their gift from Steve Harvey.

Family Spotlight: Cheryl Broyles

Over the past several months, I have had the privilege of writing about members of the Inheritance of Hope family. Cheryl Broyles, like each person I have presented, defies description. In June 2000, Cheryl was diagnosed with a glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) brain…

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Lisa in Jerusalem

Lisa Duscio: All in a Weekend

Friday, March 13, 2015, Jerusalem Half Marathon: Runners climb paths long traveled by pilgrims. They gaze upon landscapes that have been treasured and disputed for ages. The paths are now roads and the scenes have been added to, but the place is timeless—as are the…

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As the Tide Rolls Out

This week, Dad took us on a vacation to Destin, Florida. The sun is shining (maybe a little too much), and the afternoon showers never fail to make an appearance. The sand is soft, and the water is refreshing. But you are missing. Everyone who has lost someone they…

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Shannon and His Riding Buddy Paul

Family Spotlight: Shannon Fogarty

With its hundred-mile course and cumulative elevation gain of 7,636 feet, the Gran Fondo New York challenges the fittest of cyclists. Athletes endure months of training in preparation for the bike race, and Shannon Fogarty is ready–both physically and mentally. …

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Hope in the Storm

Choosing to Get Wet

We all love the sunshine. We hope and pray for clear, blue skies.   Unfortunately, sometimes it rains. Inheritance of Hope exists to provide an umbrella over families when the rain is falling down. When families who have young children are told one of the parents has…

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Happy Memories from the Chandlers' Legacy Retreat®

Family Spotlight: Tayler Chandler

“Inspiring” is the word mentioned over and over by coaches, teammates, reporters, and friends, who all say that Tayler Chandler’s work ethic, perseverance, and cheerful disposition permeate everything she does. The Columbus Indiana East High School senior has been…

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Emma left a Legacy of worship.

Meet the Barnhart Family

I had never heard of a Legacy Retreat® or Inheritance of Hope (IoH) until my daughter, Emma Barnhart, told me about it – how her family had been nominated to be a part of one of those retreats and how excited she was about Inheritance of Hope’s purpose and mission…

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Speed limit sign

The Day before the Jerusalem Half

It started out a rainy day – and when it rains here it pours!  But everything is green and in blossom so the rain is very much welcomed.   Today we went to the Western Wall, the Garden Tomb and found an amazing ice cream shop in the Jewish Quarter of the Old…

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Closeup of cherry blossom tree branches

Day 3 Jerusalem

Sorry I skipped Day 2! The time change is a bit difficult to adjust to! I’ve had the opportunity to see Old City sites. Also, went to the expo to pick up my runner’s packet and shirt. The roads are a lot hillier than I expected! The race day weather is…

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Walking (running!) out a dream

For over two years I have had the dream of running in the Jerusalem Marathon.  Well…this week I’m walking (running) out my dream – want to join me?  The dream began when my friend, Israel, told me about the marathon. I didn’t realize Jerusalem…

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Hull Family at the 2011 NYC Legacy Retreat®

Family Spotlight: Julie Hull

Julie Hull, Inheritance of Hope donor and volunteer, lost her husband, Ken, after he fought cancer for two years.  In spite of her grief, Julie is resolute.   “I commit myself to carrying the message of Hope and sharing it through volunteering and serving…

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Mike Barrett with Deric Milligan

Donor Spotlight: Mike Barrett

Each year, Inheritance of Hope awards a well-deserving college-bound senior with the Legacy Scholarship. These scholarship recipients all share one thing in common: they all have a parent with a life-threatening illness.   Mike Barrett and his wife, Catherine,…

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Coordinator Spotlight: Kim Loving

Kim Loving was first introduced to Inheritance of Hope (IoH) through a letter from a volunteer.  Kim and Natalie Lindell lived in the same neighborhood in Jacksonville, Florida.  Natalie had volunteered on several Legacy Retreats® and had heard about Kim, a young…

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Donor Spotlight: Sandy Huffstetler

  Sandy Huffstetler gives to Inheritance of Hope because she strives to be intentional in how she lives each day.   “The emphasis IOH places on living intentionally really resonated with me. Love is a verb. We should always be asking ourselves what we are doing to…

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Board Spotlight: Richard Birney

Richard Birney has served on the Inheritance of Hope (IoH) Board of Directors for over five years.  He has been an integral part of the organization for even longer.     Richard and his wife Peggy first met IoH founders Deric and Kristen Milligan in the pews of…

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Welcome to Orlando!

Meet the Reese Family

Paul Reese and his family live in Mississippi, but lately he hasn’t been home very often.  Paul makes regular visits to his oncologist in Little Rock, Arkansas. His wife, Cheryl, started training with a ministry in Missouri. And in May the Reeses attended an…

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The Allen Family Greets Orlando

Meet the Allen Family

Rawd Allen was first diagnosed with brain cancer in 1994, but February 2014 happened to be the opportune time to attend an Inheritance of Hope (IoH) Legacy Retreat®. Rawd’s last tumor surgery was 10 years ago, when his children, Nathan and Jordan, were very…

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A chilly day in Times Square

Meet the Rye Family

The wintry weather in New York City was a bit of a challenge for the Rye family from Florida, but Joel Rye said it didn’t stop his family from making memories at the Inheritance of Hope Legacy Retreat® in November 2013. “We’ll always remember all the…

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Misty and Nick Davis

Volunteer Spotlight: Nick Davis

How did you learn about Inheritance of Hope (IoH)? My brother, Michael, had discovered IoH while searching for a charity to run for in a marathon.  IoH instantly found a place in his heart, and he has since served on several Legacy Retreats®. What made you decide to…

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The Johnson Family

Meet the Johnson Family

At first Paul and Alexis Johnson from Fresno, Calif., weren’t sure if the Inheritance of Hope (IoH) Legacy Retreat® was right for them. Paul was feeling better and their children were both less than three years old. But much in their past five years has been…

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Conti parents and family

Volunteer Spotlight: Anna Conti

Inheritance of Hope has been blessed by many incredibly passionate and dedicated volunteers.  In fact, Inheritance of Hope’s mission of inspiring hope in young families facing the loss of a parent cannot be realized without them!  Our “Volunteer Spotlight” series is a…

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The Adventure Begins!

Meet the Maier Family

“We knew about Inheritance of Hope (IoH) for a while but never realized how incredible it was until we were a part of it,” said Jay Maier.  Jay, his wife Tara, and their five children lived near IoH Legacy Retreat® Director Jill Thompson in Rochester, Minn. Tara said…

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Statue of Liberty!

Meet the Young Family

Phyllis Young learned about Inheritance of Hope when a local North Carolina television station featured the organization. She immediately knew her family would enjoy going to an IOH Legacy Retreat®. “I knew we took things for granted and we needed to take some time to…

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Two young men and women smiling and wearing white Inheritance of Hope t-shirts

Volunteer Spotlight: Chantel Azevedo

Nearly 200 volunteers participated in Inheritance of Hope’s 2nd Annual Legacy Run! This year, Team IoH Director, Candice Walsh, identified Chantel Azevedo to serve as Volunteer Coordinator. A native of Toronto, Chantel graduated from Brevard College in May 2013 with a…

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Welcome to New York!

Meet the Martin Family

When Amy Martin from North Carolina was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2007, her two oldest children, John and Jennifer, were respectively off at college and working in California. But her youngest, Lyndi, was 7 years old and still lived at home.  “She has grown up…

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Volunteer Spotlight: Lara Miller

Inheritance of Hope has been blessed by many incredibly passionate and dedicated volunteers.  In fact, Inheritance of Hope’s mission of inspiring hope in young families facing the loss of a parent cannot be realized without them!  Our “Volunteer Spotlight” series is a…

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Meet the Hichkad Family

Amanda Hichkad has stage IV cancer that started as cervical cancer in 2008 but spread to her spine, lungs, and liver. She’s been through surgeries, radiation, and 13 rounds of chemotherapy, and she visits doctors several times a week to keep the illness under control….

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Meet the Coleman Family

Mike Coleman wears a patch to treat tumors in his brain that his 5-year-old daughter, Leah, calls his “snow cap.” Leah has started kindergarten, joined the Girl Scouts, and loves dancing and Disney princesses. Although she may not know the technical term for her dad’s…

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Meet the Kramer Family

Last year the Kramers from Indiana went on their first family trip: an all-expenses-paid Legacy Retreat® in Orlando. Nolan, 5, and Aryka, 3, still talk about visiting the Disney World and Universal Studios theme parks. “They just let loose and didn’t worry about…

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Meet the Herbster Family

After nearly 18 years of marriage, Matt Herbster didn’t know how much more time he had with his high school sweetheart, Julie. She was 38 years old when she was diagnosed with colon cancer last year, and the disease quickly spread to her liver. “Most people wouldn’t…

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Meet the Guereca Family

Lorenza Guereca doesn’t often let other people see what a challenge living with cancer has been. She said strong faith keeps her positive after years of treatments. Lorenza, who lives with her husband and daughter in Lafayette, In., said she doesn’t dwell on her…

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More Life

Kristen Milligan passed away  one year ago tomorrow. She was a truly amazing person and my very best friend. One of her favorite verses is found in James 1:2-4 and she referenced it often in her speaking engagements, books, and daily life. This is what it says in the…

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Meet the Hull Family

“There’s a really big need to tell your story,” said Julie Hull of Eagan, Minn. Julie’s husband, Ken, was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer after a blood clot was found in his calf three years ago. Ken was a long-distance runner, and the cancer stunned Julie and…

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Fall Races

The 2013 fall race season has begun!  Team Inheritance of Hope runners will be found in 4 amazing races.   Asheville Citizen Times City Half Marathon – 9/28:   My niece and I are running this hilly course on September 28th.  This will be my second half marathon…

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Meet the Loving Family

The first time Kimberly Loving received mail about Inheritance of Hope and its Legacy Retreats®, she placed the letter in a basket and walked away. “I was so sick I couldn’t think about it,” she said. It wasn’t until months late that Kim, a mother of three from St….

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Meet the Lampe Family

This summer you can find the Lampe kids from Germantown, Ill., swimming at local pools and water parks. “They don’t need big trips to a lot of places,” Lisa Lampe, mother of 10-year-old Jack and 6-year-old Jordyn, said. “If we go bowling one day, they’ll say this was…

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Meet the Ricciardellis

“I can’t believe this is coming out of my mouth,” Kristen Ricciardelli said, “but I actually think it’s easier to be an active cancer patient than a post-cancer patient.” She spoke from experience.   The mother of four from Milwaukee was still breast feeding her…

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Waiting is Hard

Have you ever had told your kids you are going to be doing something really fun a few weeks or maybe months too soon? If so you have been plagued with the constant questions: “Is it time yet?” “How many more days?” “Are we there…

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Gaining a New Perspective on Life

One day someone asked me if I was interested in sponsoring a candle for the upcoming Relay for Life event in honor or memory of someone with cancer. Afraid to answer, I simply agreed and took the paperwork home. I asked myself, “Do I know anyone with cancer?” Nobody…

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Meet the Bunners

Kim Bunner said living with cancer for more than a decade has given her perspective. The illness brought her closer to her husband, Matt, and showed her children, 15-year-old Haylee and 12-year-old Cameron, how to be considerate, Kim said. “You hate to say that…

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A 10 Year Old’s Perspective

Written by Andrean Maier (She is attending the May 2013 Legacy Retreat with her family.) I am the middlest child. I am 10. And I have another perspective. You know that over the last few months my mom has been struggling with stage 4 ovarian cancer. It was strange…

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Meet the Jeschkes

Mikki Jeschke’s goals include volunteering, fundraising, and launching a non-profit organization. But the mother of two from Fishers, Indiana, didn’t have these projects in mind when she attended the Inheritance of Hope Legacy Retreat® at Disney World with her family…

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Be Real

I read an article this week that really impacted me.  The writer sat at a playground with a friend/acquaintance and they chatted as they watched their kids play.  They had spent many hours at this playground on different days and yet they barely knew each other.  I…

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Meet the Lillards

Tricia Lillard calls her experience with cancer an emotional roller-coaster. “One of the biggest challenges is the uncertainty with which I have to live my life,” she said. “You think things are great then you get a bad scan or diagnosis.” Two of her children, Tekia…

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Meet the Byers

Bambi Byers, 40, said the Tim McGraw song “Live Like You Were Dying” sums up everything she could say about her husband, Marc, who passed away in March 2011. “It was my husband to a ‘T,’” she said. Marc was having trouble swallowing in June 2009, and a few months…

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Meet the Patwas

Amy and Adam Patwa attended an Inheritance of Hope Legacy Retreat® in Orlando with their daughter, Charis, in May 2012.   “The timing of it was totally perfect,” Amy said. “I can’t walk around Magic Kingdom today.”   She was diagnosed with stage III breast cancer in…

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Orlando . . . Here we come!

The January 2013 Orlando Legacy Retreat will kick off tomorrow!   This year, we have 16 families from around the country including: Arizona, North Carolina, New York, Indiana, California, Wisconsin, Colorado, Oklahoma, Florida, and Pennsylvania.  Similarly, our loving…

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Meet the Siscos

Jenifer Sisco, a teacher and mother of three from Midland, Michigan, was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer in May 2011. Then came Jenifer’s first surgery after the diagnosis. “The news we got was worse than we expected,” said Michael, Jenifer’s husband. The…

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Meet the Spears

Kassandra Spears has battled cancer for most of her life. The 44-year-old mother of two from Port Lavaca, Texas, discovered a melanoma spot on her neck at age 15. She underwent surgery and appeared to be cured. Two decades later, Kassandra had married her husband Andy…

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Meet the Tripps

Russ Tripp and his 27-year-old son, Jeremiah, are active members of the Inheritance of Hope community. Jeremiah has volunteered at three Legacy Retreats®, and Russ gives testimonies at IoH events. Both say Inheritance of Hope has deeply impacted their own lives,…

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Meet the Fortins

When the Fortin family from North Carolina — Steve, Maureen, and their three children — attended the Inheritance of Hope Legacy Retreat® at Disney World in January 2011, Steve was in good health. “He often says he feels funny because he was the healthiest…

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