Meet Chris and His Family
Chris is a husband and father living with Stage IV neuroendocrine tumor cancer. Through the uncertainty and challenges of his illness, one thing has remained constant: the deep love he shares with his wife, Denise, and their son.
For Chris and his son, soccer has always been a special bond between them. They have spent countless hours watching matches, talking about their favorite players, and cheering for their hero, Cristiano Ronaldo. For them, Ronaldo represents more than talent—he represents resilience, discipline, and heart.
In the midst of Chris’s diagnosis and treatments, Denise hoped their family could have a moment to step away from the heaviness of cancer and simply enjoy time together creating meaningful memories.
Their One Day to Remember
For their One Day to Remember, Chris and his family traveled to Clarkdale to experience a breathtaking journey on the Verde Canyon Railroad.
The four-hour train ride carried them through the stunning landscapes of the Verde Canyon, offering incredible views, peaceful moments, and time to simply enjoy being together as a family. Away from appointments and daily stress, the ride created a space where Chris, Denise, and their son could relax and take in the beauty around them.
After their scenic adventure, the family enjoyed dinner together using a gift card from Texas Roadhouse, ending the day with a shared meal and time to reflect on the experience.
More Than Just One Day
The highlight of the outing for the family was the Verde Canyon Railroad ride itself. The peaceful journey through the canyon created a setting where they could slow down, breathe, and appreciate the moment.
Another incredibly meaningful part of the day was their family photo session. Denise shared that they had been trying to have family photos taken for years, and finally having that opportunity meant so much. Those images will now serve as lasting reminders of a day filled with connection and joy.
Throughout the experience, the family was able to focus on what mattered most—simply enjoying each other’s company.
Why This Day Mattered
When asked what it meant to have a day free from the normal worries and stresses of cancer, Denise described the experience as amazing and relaxing.
The day allowed their family to step away from illness and instead focus on what they had hoped for most: creating memories together.
For Chris, Denise, and their son, this One Day to Remember wasn’t just an outing—it was a chance to pause, reconnect, and celebrate the love that holds their family together through even the hardest moments.
Denise shared her heartfelt gratitude to everyone who helped make the day possible, knowing that the memories created will stay with their family for years to come.
At One Day to Remember, this is exactly why we exist: to give families facing advanced-stage cancer the opportunity to step away from the weight of illness and step into moments of peace, connection, and lasting memory.
“We had a day to remember. The staff went above and beyond to make my husband’s train trip truly unforgettable. He was so overjoyed, and seeing that happiness meant everything to us. We took beautiful family photos, enjoyed lunch together, and then experienced the most amazing train ride. Dinner afterward was just as wonderful—they didn’t miss a single detail. The entire team was incredible from start to finish. Highly recommend!”
- Chris’ Wife, Denise