Category: 2026

Liz was diagnosed with ovarian cancer two and a half years ago. After the initial chemotherapy and debulking surgery, she was briefly cancer-free, but the disease returned within five months. Since then, she has required continuous treatment and was scheduled to receive her 31st chemotherapy treatment when she submitted her wish.

Recent scans show that tumors in her liver have tripled in size within a matter of weeks. The oncologist has offered one final chemotherapy option but has expressed very little hope that it will be effective. She is also considering hospice care and have been gently prepared for the possibility that she may have only a few months remaining.

Liz’ greatest wish is to spend as much time as possible with her daughter, Sara Holzem, and her family. Sara lives in Naples, Florida, where she works full-time while raising her young family. The cost of airfare and travel makes frequent visits difficult, yet this time together is incredibly important to both of them.

Her wish has been granted and Stella’s Wish Foundation is providing airline credits so that she may travel to see her daughter and family.

Charles has Stage IV Thyroid Cancer. He has had numerous surgeries since his initial diagnosis, but his last surgery in June was different. For this surgery, they went in for 2 tumors in his neck, found 4 and were able to remove 3. They had to leave the 4th tumor in because it is wrapped around the nerve that controls his speech and swallowing (as well as being very close to his jugular). He just had all of his teeth extracted so that he can embark on 6 weeks of daily radiation into his neck. His voice is raspy now and he strains to just talk. He chokes a lot and swallowing is hard for him. His wife describes him as a truly wonderful man and a great dad to  3 teenage daughters and 2 dogs (and 1 bunny).

Being forced to go on disability has been rough on Charles, and his wife made a wish to surprise him with a beach vacation so he can body surf in the waves. It will bring a much needed smile to his face, as well as to everyone in the family.

The wish has been granted and the family will travel to Pier Pointe at Emerald Island, North Carolina to have some vacation and quiet time together.

Kelly’s story:

My husband and I met in the summer of 2019 when we were both students at a ceramics workshop in Maine. We were both in the midst of life transitions and spent late nights alone in the library talking about our dreams and the changes we were navigating in life. I just had a final round interview for a teaching job in the town where my nephews live and also found out that I had a clear PET scan 1 year after having thyroid cancer. At the end of our workshop, he asked me to go to Portland with him but I had just found out that I got the job and needed to get home. We dated long distance for a year, getting to know each other through old fashioned love letters and romantic weekend visits. He moved across the country to start our lives together and we were married shortly after but due to the pandemic, we put off a honeymoon and each year we talk about returning to the place we met but haven’t done so yet.

In June of 2025, I received a very unexpected second cancer diagnosis; Stage IVB Non Small Cell Lung Cancer EFGR+ with Mets to the bone, eye and brain. I was just 44 years old. Recently my first line treatment has failed and my cancer is progressing. I have started a new course of chemotherapy and radiation and am awaiting new immunotherapy drugs for my specific mutation to become available in the US. My husband has been with me through every step of the way, showing me everlasting love and unwavering faith.

While we face an uncertain future, we don’t wait to celebrate our love and my wish is for a 5-7 day trip to Maine with my husband this summer so we can finally have our honeymoon. We would celebrate our seventh anniversary by visiting the magical place that we met and taking the trip to Portland that we never got to take. We would spend a few days in Bar Harbor relaxing together in the tranquility of nature and a few days in Portland viewing art at local museums and galleries, eating good food and enjoying good conversation as we make new memories together.

Kelly’s wish has been granted! Stella’s Wish Foundation is helping them to travel the Maine coastline by car for 10 days and visit Bar Harbor.

 

Dear Stella’s Wish Foundation,

Thank you so much for your kindness and generosity in the granting of my wish.  My husband Donté and are on our anniversary trip/belated honeymoon back to Maine where we first met. We drove up and made stops at different art museums along the way. We are enjoying the beauty of the nature and art surrounding us and most importantly the time we are spending with each other. We feel very blessed to have this opportunity and grateful that you created this organization to honor your beloved Stella.

With gratitude,  Wish #416
Kelly Murphy

Megan is a 35-year-old mother of three, living with stage 4 metastatic triple-negative breast cancer, originally diagnosed in 2020 at age 29.

Her goal is to create meaningful, joyful memories with her children, husband and mother outside of their hometown while she still can.

Her biggest wish is a trip to Old Orchard Beach, Maine. She wants to walk the beach with them, watch the fireworks, laugh together on the boardwalk, try new foods, visit the arcades, and enjoy simple moments as a family.

Stella’s Wish Foundation has granted Megan’s wish and the family will visit Old Orchard Beach in Maine for a weekend.

Bob was recently diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer that has spread to his lymph nodes and liver. He is currently receiving chemotherapy to prolong his life, possibly 1 to 2 years. He has been through so much already medically. On May 1st 2012, Bob received a heart transplant after a decade of heart problems including open heart surgeries, pacemakers, and finally a LVAD while waiting for a transplant. Through it all, he continued to work when possible and kept a great attitude. He has always been there for his sister Michell and her kids. His sister made a wish on Bob’s behalf to return the favor and help him get much needed help.

Stella’s Wish is sending Michell and Bob to the Fireside Dinner Theatre in Wisconsin, near their homes.

Paris was just diagnosed with Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer that has spread to lymph nodes and bones.  When she and her husband got married, they didn’t have a lot of money – most of their families had passed away and Paris was battling Ankylosing Spondylitis. She also had recently had a hip replacement at age 37 that her husband had to take care of me for. They had a small commitment ceremony with plans to someday have a nice dinner with family and friends to celebrate their wedding. Unfortunately, that time never came as Paris continued to battle with her health and then a Stage 4 diagnosis.

Paris’ dream is to have a “post wedding” dinner with family and friends, those who mean the most to her. Maybe even wear her wedding dress! She would love to have a magical day like that and be able to share it with those she loves.

Stella’s Wish Foundation has granted her wish: Paris will have a post-wedding dinner at her favorite restaurant with family and friends!

Donna was recently diagnosed with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer. Donna was the maid of honor for her daughter, and her daughter’s best friend and has given so much to her four grandchildren.

It has always been Donna’s wish to travel on an old-fashioned train, but she was never able to do it. Her daughter submitted a wish for Donna to go on the Grand Canyon Railway, a steam train not too far from where they live in Arizona.

Stella’s Wish Foundation has granted Donna’s wish and is sending her on a scenic train ride through the Grand Canyon!

Julie is on her second year with stage 4 pancreatic cancer with meta to liver. Julie made a wish to take a trip with her only daughter as a bucket list item.  It has been a rough couple of years dealing with this.

Stella’s Wish Foundation has arranged for Julie to travel to a beach in Florida with her daughter!

Renee is currently unable to work because of her oncology appointments and chemotherapy treatments for Stage 4 cancer. She wished for a really special day with her 3 girls, such as a girl’s day and a shopping spree.

Stella’s Wish Foundation has granted Renee’s wish and is sending her and 3 daughters on a spa day with a shopping spree!

Kathy has been fighting cancer since May of 2023 and has gone through so much since then. Throughout it all, she hasn’t got to experience the Florida beach in over 15 years. She really hasn’t gotten to go on a vacation in years as she and her husband always had to work so hard to provide for their two daughters.

One of Kathy’s daughters submitted a wish for her to be able to go on a beach trip, saying “This would help her so much and be so meaningful to her to make memories with her family.”

Stella’s Wish Foundation has granted this wish! Kathy and her husband will travel to a beach near their home in Texas and stay a few nights at a local hotel, with a gift card for travel expenses.