Help us spread some joy, comfort, and holiday cheer

A cancer diagnosis brings many stressors to a patient and their families: social, emotional, physical, and financial. The Holiday Helpers program was started in 2020 by Dr. Amy Hughes, Mission Cancer + Blood physician, to spread joy and comfort to identifying local cancer patients and their families who may need a little extra cheer during the winter holiday season. Most of the time, patients aren’t even aware they were nominated, so it makes for an amazing surprise just when they need it the most. 

In 2020, the program started with 9 sponsored families. By 2023, the number of sponsored families grew to 48. We aim to reach even more families this year, but we need your help! 

How does the Holiday Helpers program work?

The Holiday Helpers season begins late October each year. The program relies on generous community members to sponsor patients and their families. Community sponsors are matched to families and given general ideas for gifts to purchase. There is no minimum financial requirement for sponsoring a family – all levels of gifts are appreciated.  Please note that because we want to honor all faiths and cultures, Holiday Helpers is not focused specifically on Christmas but rather spreading positivity and goodwill as we close out one year and prepare to enter into a new one.

Interested in being a Holiday Helper?

If you are interested in sponsoring a family for this year’s Holiday Helpers program, please email [email protected] for more information. If you are interested in supporting Holiday Helpers financially, you may make a donation using the button below.


On behalf of the Mission Cancer Foundation, we greatly appreciate you! Your gifts and acts of kindness will help put a glimmer of light in the lives of people who may need it the most during this holiday season.