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We serve families navigating cancer or other life-threatening illnesses — whether it’s a parent, child, or young adult — and those grieving the loss of a loved one.

Each experience is personalized to create joy, healing, and togetherness during some of life’s hardest moments.

This program is inspired by Carson’s “Trip of a Lifetime,” a family experience that gave the Higgins family precious time together before Carson’s passing in 2016. That time was profoundly meaningful for everyone involved, and the family now feels deeply passionate about paying it forward to others on the same journey.

Who We Serve

Families eligible for the program include:

  • Families with a parent or guardian diagnosed with cancer or a life-threatening illness who have children under 18
  • Families with a child diagnosed with cancer or a life-threatening illness, or young adults age 26 and under facing such a diagnosis
  • Bereaved families of the criteria above, within one year of their passing

Timing Matters

We focus on families who are within one year of active treatment, or for bereaved families, within one year of their loss. This ensures we’re supporting families during the moments when the Gift of Time Together has the greatest impact.

How It Works

Every family’s story and needs are unique. Once an application is received, our team works closely with the family to design an experience that fits their circumstances, medical realities, and preferences.

Why is The Gift of Time Together™ important?

A life-threatening illness impacts the entire family — emotionally, physically, and mentally.
The Gift of Time Together™ program provides a chance to pause the chaos, reconnect, and make memories that last a lifetime.

  • A life-threatening illness is stressful for the entire family.
  • The patient often spends long hours in hospitals or clinics.
  • Other family members may feel anxious, disconnected, or overlooked.
  • Shared experiences relieve stress and offer a much-needed mental break.
  • Time together can strengthen family bonds and help everyone better cope with the journey.
  • The memories made bring comfort, laughter, and joy when times are hard.
  • A break from treatment routines restores a sense of normalcy and balance.

What makes The Gift of Time Together™ different?

After connecting with CarsonStrong™, families work directly with our team to plan a memorable experience customized to their preferences and needs.
Each experience is designed with every family member in mind — not just the one facing the illness.

  • Family-focused: We serve both families with a child or young adult diagnosed, and families where a parent or guardian is in treatment.
  • Inclusive of all journeys: Families do not need to be terminal to qualify — we support families from diagnosis through up to one year after active treatment.
  • Healing for bereaved families: We also provide experiences for families grieving the loss of a child or parent, focused on rest, reflection, and healing.
  • Collaborative, not competitive: We partner with like-minded organizations to expand opportunities for families to experience meaningful time together.

Program Guidelines & Availability

  • Experiences are approved based on funding availability and current program priorities.
  • We cannot guarantee all experience requests will be fulfilled exactly as submitted.
  • Travel, lodging, and activities vary depending on health needs, family size, and seasonality.
  • All information shared by applicants is confidential and used solely for program coordination.

Not at all. The Gift of Time Together program supports families at any stage of their journey, from diagnosis up to one year after active treatment. Our goal is to provide families with time to reconnect, recharge, and create meaningful memories — whether they are in treatment, recovery, or navigating life after.

Families must meet one of the following criteria:

  • A parent or guardian has cancer or a life-threatening illness and has children under 18
  • A child or young adult age 26 or under has cancer or a life-threatening illness
  • A bereaved family of the criteria above, within one year of their passing

We currently serve families who are within one year of active treatment or, for bereaved families, within one year of their loss.

Each experience is personalized based on the family’s needs, location, and medical realities. Some families choose local getaways, while others travel to a special destination.
The goal is always to create space for connection, rest, and lasting memories — no matter where it takes place.

How much does a Gift of Time Together experience cost?

Every experience is unique, and so is its budget. We work closely with our team and committee to ensure that each experience meets the family’s needs while staying within our program’s available funds.


Budgets vary depending on travel distance, family size, and chosen activities. Our goal is to make each experience meaningful, attainable, and responsible with donor resources.

You’re still eligible to apply! We do ask that at least one year has passed since your previous wish experience unless there are extenuating circumstances, such as a terminal diagnosis or a wish that wasn’t fulfilled due to illness or other circumstances.


We also encourage families to apply to wish-granting organizations first, as some many do not allow participation in multiple programs.

Timelines vary depending on season and funding availability. Most families hear back within 30 days of applying, though urgent or terminal cases may be prioritized and processed more quickly.

Whenever possible, we try to include travel as part of each experience. However, this depends on the overall budget, family size, and destination. Our team will always do our best to accommodate travel needs in a way that’s both safe and financially sustainable for the program.

We love hearing your ideas! Families are welcome to share preferences, and we’ll work together to create a meaningful experience that fits within our program’s guidelines and budget. Our goal is to remove the stress of planning while still making the trip feel personal and special.

At this time, families are eligible for one Gift of Time Together experience. 

Applications are accepted year-round, and experiences are scheduled based on funding availability and our program calendar. We recommend applying early if you’re hoping to travel during popular seasons (spring break or summer).

We aim to serve every eligible family, but applications may be deferred if funding is limited or if the request falls outside current program guidelines. 

Every experience is made possible through generous donors, event sponsors, and our community of supporters. We’re proud to ensure that 100% of direct trip costs go toward creating meaningful memories for families.

The Gift of Time Together program operates on a rolling schedule with limited funds each year. While we can’t guarantee every request, we promise to treat every family’s story with care, compassion, and respect.

Become a Founding Sponsor

If you’d like to help make more experiences possible for families facing illness or loss, please consider donating or becoming a monthly supporter through Carson’s Champions.

Help us give the #giftoftimetogether™

Become a Corporate Sponsor

We welcome the support of businesses and corporations to increase the viability of this initiative. Make a donation or contact us directly to discuss sponsorship opportunities.

Interested in becoming a Gift of Time Together partner?

Are you an entertainment venue, sports program, museum or other organization that could provide a special experience for a family battling cancer or a life-threatening illness? Reach out and let us know if you would be willing to help.

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