Frequently asked questions

Answered by a team member at December 5th Fund

• What is your mission?

  To create meaningful memories and provide practical support for families facing cancer by easing daily burdens, restoring moments of normalcy, and surrounding them with care and compassion during life’s most difficult times.

• How are donations used?

  Donations directly fund programs that give families facing cancer a break from the stress of treatment. Your support covers the cost of creating a personalized Great Day experience, from tickets and meals to home improvement supplies. It also provides ongoing services through our Helping Hands Support Plan, such as meal preparation, house cleaning, laundry, lawn care, and childcare. Every dollar helps relieve daily burdens so families can focus on time together, creating memories, and finding moments of peace.

• What can be done with a $100 donation?

  A $100 donation can cover a week of laundry service for a family in our Helping Hands Support Plan, provide a special family meal during a Great Day experience, or purchase supplies to help volunteers refresh a home or yard. It is a meaningful gift that gives families comfort, time, and a reminder that they are not alone.

• What progress has been made already thanks to your donors?

  Since 2016, donor support has allowed The December 5th Fund to give thousands facing cancer a break from the weight of daily life. Volunteers have cleaned and organized entire homes, refreshed yards, and created peaceful spaces for families to enjoy. Over 5,000 meals have been prepared, 5 tons of laundry have been washed, and countless hours of household chores have been lifted from the shoulders of caregivers. Most importantly, donors have helped give families the gift of time together, creating moments of joy and lasting memories during a season when they are needed most.

• What is the history of your organization?

  The December 5th Fund was inspired by one extraordinary day. On December 5, 2015, founder Tom Wiley’s wife, Laura, was in the middle of cancer treatment yet felt well enough to enjoy a pain-free day with their family. They spent it doing ordinary things that felt extraordinary at the time, laughing, sharing a meal, and simply being together. That day became the inspiration for creating similar experiences for other families going through cancer. Laura passed away on January 14, 2016, and later that year The December 5th Fund was founded to honor her memory. Since then, the organization has grown from 30 volunteers to more than 950 and has helped thousands create lasting memories while easing the burdens of everyday life.