She Lost Her Husband to Cancer at 30. Now She’s Helping Other Philadelphia Families Heal Through Small Moments
Founded by a mom who lost her husband to cancer, Small Moments Foundation helps Greater Philadelphia families find joy and healing after loss
Rebecca DiTore was just 30 years old when her husband passed away from brain cancer. She was left to raise their two little boys alone. There was no roadmap for what came next โ and few people around her truly understood her grief. So she built something to fill that gap. Not just for herself, but for every family who would face the same impossible chapter after her.
She created Small Moments Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving families in the Main Line and Philadelphia communities. Itโs built on a simple but profound belief: that even in the darkest stretches of loss, small moments of joy, relief, and connection can carry a family forward.
In just 2.5 years, the foundation has already reached nearly 100 individuals. And the model is as thoughtful as the mission.
Joy That’s Personal
Dedicated to the memory of her husband, Small Moments provides personal, meaningful one-day experiences to families who have lost a parent or sibling to cancer. These are not a one-size-fits-all gift, but something designed around what that family loves.
Past experiences include Phillies and Eagles events, ski season passes, a memorial tree-planting at Hawk Mountain, STEM subscription boxes, and museum memberships. The point isn’t the activity. It’s the message behind it: we see you, and we planned this just for you.
One Small Moments family received tickets to see the musical, Wicked and the mother share her heartfelt gratitude:
“We had an amazing day at Wicked. The kids really enjoyed it. I just wanted to thank you for the opportunity. It brought the biggest smiles to their faces.โ
Relief That’s Real
Small Moments also hand-delivers care packages. Filled with self-care items, grocery and meal-delivery gift cards, and children’s gifts, these provide practical comfort during a time when even small tasks can feel overwhelming. The foundation also connects families with household support for things like laundry, cleaning, and home organization, and provides seasonal and holiday assistance so no family faces those heavier moments alone.
Connection That Lasts
Through community events like a Healing Through Art painting night, a Family Mural event, and a Trauma-Informed Yoga Workshop, Small Moments creates space for families to show up as they are. Rebecca also hosts Small Talks, a quarterly virtual support group open to grieving families across the region.
“One of the greatest leaps forward in my own grief journey came when I connected with others who could truly understand,” Rebecca says. “I know first-hand the destruction cancer does on a family.”
Get Involved
Know a family navigating cancer loss? You can nominate them for services directly through the Small Moments website. The foundation also welcomes donations, in-kind support, and business sponsorships.
Want to learn more about Small Moments Foundation? Read the Full Feature on Main Line Parent including details about the 4th Annual Mikey D Memorial Golf Outing on September 28th at Five Ponds Golf Club in Warminster.
Photos courtesy of Small Moments Foundation, as seen in the Spring Family Fun Guide.
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