Whitney lost her brother, Terry, to cancer in April 2025 at just 48 years old. His passing has left an emptiness that words cannot fully express. Though she hasn’t yet sought professional grief support, Whitney is seeking a quiet space to process her emotions and begin to heal. Attending this retreat alongside family, she hopes to find comfort, reflection, and renewed strength. Your donation will help Whitney find peace as she honors her brother’s memory and begins the journey toward acceptance.

Susan lost her 48-year-old son, Terry, to cancer in April 2024. His passing left a quiet ache that words can hardly capture. Having cared deeply for him and now living with the silence that follows, Susan longs for “serenity” — a moment of peace after months of pain. Though she hasn’t sought professional support, she hopes this retreat will offer comfort, reflection, and gentle healing. Your donation will help Susan find stillness and begin to restore her spirit in a supportive, understanding space.

Shannon has endured immense loss—her father, John, to lung cancer in 2016, and her husband, Kevin, who passed away from a stroke at just 44. “It was a traumatizing time for everyone… one thing after another and just a difficult season of life.” After years of caregiving and heartbreak, Shannon now leads a GriefShare ministry at her church, turning her pain into purpose. Your donation will give Shannon the time to rest, reflect, and continue healing so she can keep guiding others through their own grief journeys.

Naomi lost her younger brother, Pedro, in April 2020 when he was just 19. “Growing up in a less than ideal family situation, my little brother was more like a son to me than a sibling.” Since his death, Naomi has worked hard in therapy to face the pain of losing him so suddenly and violently, but she feels there’s still more healing to do. By attending this retreat, she hopes to process her grief more fully, connect with others who understand traumatic loss, and find strength in a compassionate community.

Melissa has faced profound and layered losses—her father, her best friend, and most recently her cousin Teddy, a man with special needs she lovingly cared for over 12 years. “He died alone in the hospital after asking for me for hours.” The pain of not being there in his final moments has weighed heavily on her heart. Now a co-leader of a GriefShare ministry, Melissa hopes to gain tools to navigate this new kind of grief and bring healing insights back to others. Your donation will help her continue turning her sorrow into service—supporting both her own recovery and the healing of many others.

Leslie lost her mother, Patricia, in June 2019 after a battle with breast cancer. Patricia was just 68 and left behind a daughter who describes her grief as ongoing. Leslie has attended group counseling and an Ohio Health grief group but is still searching for deeper support. “I hope to connect with others who have experienced the loss of a parent.” Your donation will give Leslie the chance to share her story, find comfort in community, and continue healing through meaningful connection.

Leah lost her 13-year-old son, Max, to suicide on May 12, 2025. “I am really struggling. Depressed and blaming myself.” Though she’s attended a support group for bereaved parents, Leah hasn’t been able to find a grief therapist nearby and continues to carry the weight of guilt and heartbreak. Your donation will provide her with a compassionate space to learn coping skills, feel less alone, and begin to heal alongside others who understand the pain of losing a child.

Kristine lost her husband, David, to metastatic colon cancer in August 2025. She spent the last five years caring for him, stepping away from work in his final months to be by his side while raising their five children, ages 5–18. “I want to know how to move on and live without my husband in this world—and not let the grief consume me.” Your donation will give Kristine a safe place to rest, reflect, and learn healthy ways to cope as she begins a new chapter for herself and her family.

Emily lost her husband, Terry, in April 2025 after nearly 14 years of marriage. “His 49th birthday would have been 10/24/25.” Together with their 9-year-old son, Graham, she is navigating the heartbreak of life without him while trying to keep his memory close. Supported by counseling and her Al-Anon community, Emily hopes this retreat will give her tools to manage grief, honor Terry’s life, and help Graham and their family find moments of peace amid the loss.

Eileen lost her beloved nephew, Terry, to cancer in April 2025. At just 48, his death has left her heartbroken. “It’s been extremely difficult to deal with this loss,” she shares simply yet powerfully. Having received no professional support, Eileen is now seeking peace, understanding, and a way to move through her pain. Your donation will help her find comfort among others who understand grief and take her first steps toward healing in a compassionate setting.