Life is filled with Big Moments that have lasting impact, create unforgettable memories and help make each individual unique. Sometimes, special “Little Moments” can become Big Moments or milestones of major significance. The final months of life especially can be filled with Big Moments that create joy, laughter, comfort and treasured memories.
Welcome to Life’s Big Moments
Life’s Big Moments is a story telling initiative that celebrates and empowers these defining hallmarks in time, sponsored by NorthStar Care Community – a nationwide organization of mission-driven palliative care, hospice care, grief support and other supportive end-of-life programs and services.
Expert end-of-life care typically can add days to life and add life to days. Fortunately, many families across the nation are now learning about services available, often at little or no cost to them. By becoming a donor and supporter of Life’s Big Moments, you can help educate patients and families about access to vital end-of-life care – and be the spark for making more of Life’s Big Moments possible.
Serving Those Who Served
For many veterans, military service is not simply part of their past, it is a part of who they are. Their stories, sacrifices, friendships and memories are carried for a lifetime, and at end of life, those memories often rise to the surface in deeply meaningful ways.
Counting What Counts
Heather shares a deeply personal story of love, gratitude, and the lessons her two remarkable sons continue to teach her. Through reflection and remembrance, she reveals how finding beauty in everyday moments has helped make each day a celebration of life.
The Roots of “Two Oak Trees”
Long before hospice and home care were widely understood, Lois Jelneck and Ingrid Deininger were quietly shaping what it meant to care for people at home in Ann Arbor, advocating for comfort, dignity, and being surrounded by those you love.
Bedside Vigil: A Special Volunteer Reflection
Listen as Hospice of Michigan volunteer Wanda shares what it means to be present during a bedside vigil, in conversation with Volunteer Coordinator Margo. She is one of more than 700 volunteers across the NorthStar Care Community whose compassion we are so grateful for each day.
More Life in Your Days
Hospice of Michigan social worker Christine Woloszyk shares heartfelt wisdom gathered over more than 30 years of helping others live fully, even in life’s most tender moments.
In a moving conversation with Jordan Carson, she reflects on what truly matters—and helps bring to life one patient’s extraordinary wish: Sheri’s dream to skydive.
A powerful reminder that even now, there is still so much life to be lived.
When a Child Says Thank You
There are moments in this work that do not fade.Moments that do not grow quieter with time. Moments that live in the heart long after the visit ends. For Dr. Bradd Hemker, pediatric hospice physician with NorthStar Care Community, one of those moments is simple. Profound. Sacred. It is when a child looks at him and says, “Thank you.”
Enduring Love
From the first “I love you” to the last goodbye—and beyond—love carries us. Jim shares his beautiful love letter and the legacy of love with his wife Judy in this February 2026 Life’s Big Moment’s story.
A Halloween Memory with My Dad
A Halloween Memory with My Dad This is a picture of my dad and me getting ready for a Halloween party. I am four years old. We must have decided to dress up as the Lone Ranger and Tonto. In the neighborhood I grew up in, my dad was always the designated parent to...
NorthStar Care Community Partners with Beads of Courage, Inc.
New Beads of Courage® NorthStar Bead acknowledges the bravery of individuals and families navigating hospice care; now accessible to 200+ children’s hospital partners across the nation
Dr. Fahner- Life’s Big Moments (Video)
"We know there's so much yet to be accomplished. But as long as there are children anywhere that do not have immediate access to pediatric hospice, then we have unfinished work. Every child deserves access to that care." ~ James Fahner, M.D. Pediatric Hematology...
She Thought She Could, So She Did
The Story of Brittany Naylor Brittany Naylor was a dreamer—and a fighter. Diagnosed with cancer at 19 years old, she spent nearly a decade navigating hospitals, treatments, and life as a girl in her 20s with a serious illness. But Brittany was never defined by her...
Honoring Veterans When it Matters Most
Arbor Hospice, a founding member of the NorthStar Care Community, recognizes and honors our veterans – the individuals whose service helped shape our nation. Anthony “Tony” Gervasi was one of those individuals. A U.S. Army Veteran, Tony served for two years during...
Get Involved
Expert end-of-life care typically can add days to life and add life to days. Unfortunately, many families across the nation don’t know about services available, often at little or no cost to them. By becoming a donor and supporter of Life’s Big Moments, you can help educate patients and families about access to vital end-of-life care – and be the spark for making more of Life’s Big Moments possible.
Tell Your Story
Please share your Life’s Big Moments for consideration to be added to the Life’s Big Moments Blog.
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In The News
Wood TV Life’s Big Moments
Many people hear the word hospice and think of older adults but pediatric hospice serves infants, children, teenagers, and young adults facing serious illness and often, care is not just tailored to the child, but to the entire family. Today, we have…
The Sun Times News
Long before hospice and home care were widely understood, Lois Jelneck and Ingrid Deininger were helping Ann Arbor families imagine something different. At a time when many people expected serious illness and end-of-life care to happen in hospitals…
Wood TV 8 Life’s Big Moments
For decades, Hospice of Michigan, a member of the Northstar Care Community, has been walking alongside patients and their families through the final months of their lives. They’ve recently launched a new initiative to help create more open…
Fox 17 Life’s Big Moments
Life is full of big moments, but often times, what can be perceived as “little” moments can become significant milestones in life. NorthStar Care Community’s ongoing mission of providing not-for-profit hospice and palliative care aims to celebrate…
Jordan Carson named National Spokesperson for NorthStar Care Community Life’s Big Moments
Jordan Carson is a nationally award-winning journalist and television host with experience hosting live lifestyle talk shows, live reporting, red carpet coverage, and nationally acclaimed storytelling. Jordan’s multicultural background allows her to connect…
Life is filled with Big Moments that have lasting impact, create unforgettable memories and help make each individual unique. Sometimes, special “Little Moments” can become Big Moments or milestones of major significance. The final months of life especially can be filled with Big Moments that create joy, laughter, comfort and treasured memories.
Life’s Big Moments is a campaign that celebrates and empowers these defining hallmarks in time, sponsored by NorthStar Care Community – a nationwide organization of mission-driven palliative care, hospice care, grief support and other supportive end-of-life programs and services.
Expert end-of-life care typically can add days to life and add life to days. Unfortunately, many families across the nation don’t know about services available, often at little or no cost to them. By becoming a donor and supporter of Life’s Big Moments, you can help educate patients and families about access to vital end-of-life care – and be the spark for making more of Life’s Big Moments possible.
NorthStar Solutions Partners
NorthStar Care Community brings together a nationwide network of mission-driven hospice providers, united in delivering expert, compassionate care. With decades of experience and a shared commitment to serving those facing serious illness, we proudly support communities across the country with high-quality, personalized end-of-life care.
Learn more about Partner Services of NorthStar Care Community
Stories
Veteran Stories
Personal Life's Big Moments
Caregiver/ Family Stories
Patient Stories
Beads of Courage Stories
Pediatric Stories
Media/ Partner Kit available soon!