On December 5, 2015, my family experienced a day that reminded us what hope looks like in the middle of cancer. Friends, family, and complete strangers stepped in to lift our burdens, giving us the chance to simply be together. That single day changed my life.

After my wife, Laura, passed away just weeks later, I knew I wanted other families to experience that same kind of love and support. In 2016, I founded The December 5th Fund with one simple goal: help families forget cancer, just for one day.

What began as creating unforgettable experiences has grown into something even greater. Today, through our Great Day Program and Helping Hands Support Plan, we surround families with volunteers who don’t just show up for a single day, they continue showing up in the months that follow with meals, house cleaning, lawn care, home projects, and whatever else a family needs.

Every family deserves moments of joy in the middle of hardship, and every community has the power to create them. That’s the heart behind everything we do.