Mike Ummer was the kind of man who showed up.

He showed up for his wife.
He showed up for his three little boys.
He showed up for the One Day to Remember family.

We first met Mike a few years after his diagnosis. While living with colorectal cancer, Mike spent every other week in the hospital for treatment, often staying 3 to 4 days at a time. Those were days that meant missing ball games, bedtime routines, and the everyday moments that matter most to little boys who adore their dad.

Even in the middle of treatment, Mike chose joy.

When we first spoke with his wife, Lori, she said his wish was simple. A stress-free day with his family. A trip to his favorite place, the Pittsburgh Zoo.

Their family had never truly experienced it together. So that's exactly what we did for them. They walked the paths, laughed freely, and stood in awe watching the elephants.

After that day, Mike said,
“It meant the world to us. Life has been challenging, but that day, life was fantastic.”

That was Mike.
Grateful. Present. Full of love.

Beyond his own family’s outing, Mike became part of ours. He helped spread our mission and showed up to events whenever he could. He smiled big and wrapped other families in encouragement. Even while carrying the weight of his own diagnosis, he made space for others.

He understood what One Day to Remember is truly about. It is not escaping reality. It is creating sacred moments inside of it.

Today, we honor Mike by continuing to love his family the way he loved others.

In honor of his legacy, your donation will go directly to supporting families just like Mike's to experience their own One Day to Remember.

Because of Mike, we are reminded that even one day can hold a lifetime of meaning.

And because of you, his legacy of love continues.

In Loving Memory of Mike Ummer