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Audrey Matthews has a unique way of honoring the memory of her daughter Natalie, who died in a car accident at the age of 19. Twice a year, on Natalie’s birthday and the anniversary of her death, Audrey and her family donate quilts through their nonprofit, 19 Quilts for Natalie.

Because cancer effects almost everyone, whether they have it, had it, or know someone who does, many want to contribute to the fight but may not know how to. Huntsman Cancer Foundation provides a way to help for those who aren’t doctors, researchers, or don’t have lots of money through their Huntsman Heroes program.

When Ryan Smith's father was diagnosed with cancer, the two of them decided to dedicate themselves to cancer. They committed that if they ever made any more money or had any influence, they would use the platform and money to fight cancer. And they have and will continue to do so with 5 For The Fight, which invites everybody to give $5 for the fight against cancer.

Patient and Huntsman Hero Dan Nelson set out to ride the 30-mile segment of the Huntsman 140 in spite of a terminal brain cancer diagnosis. When Dan wasn't sure he could make it up the last hill, his #DanStrong team of family and friends was there to push him to the top. In the hardest of times, Dan and his wife Dianne have never been alone.

Connecting with other cancer patients in a support group can decrease isolation, provide additional support, and help reduce stress, according to Lisa Gauchay, MSW, LCSW, a social worker at Huntsman Cancer Institute. Lisa runs a support group for patients with metastatic breast cancer. The group meets once a month, discussing different topics that include how to cope with grief, bucket list ideas, and the process of dying. Patients who participate in the support group often create lasting friendships by connecting with others who are going through similar experiences.

When family and friends wanted to show support for tongue cancer patient Jarem Hallows, they discovered the Huntsman Sports Festival, which includes the Huntsman 5K running and Huntsman 140 cycling events, and created a fundraising team in 2017. #TeamJarem raised more than $26,000, the largest gift of support ever received for the Head and Neck Cancers Disease Center.

Holly Hagerman, cancer survivor and co-chair of Pink Park City, has always found joy in being active in the mountains. When she stumbled into Pink Vail during a trip to celebrate healing from surgery, she knew she had to bring that joy back to Utah.

I am grateful for my father’s vision, but mostly for having a friend and father who I love. And herein lies the “what” that drives us today, the value of love, life, and human relationship. At the end of the day, this is what we are in business to do; to comfort, to cure, and to create that most precious gift, life, and all the heartaches, laughter, and love that comes with it.