PHOTO BY LAURA PETRILLA

Rachel Antin
Founder & Executive Director, One Day To Remember Inc.

When Rachel Antin was working as an oncology nurse, she found herself helping a single mom with cancer plan a special day with her daughter — getting their hair and nails done, taking pictures in the park and making their favorite food, pizza, together.

“There were so many families coming into our office that were struggling to find family time,” she says. “So I had this idea for an organization.”

Her nonprofit, One Day To Remember Inc., has provided more than 600 free outings for families since 2016. They partner with organizations such as the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, where guests experience behind-the-scenes encounters, and the Pittsburgh Pirates, where families have attended games and even thrown out the first pitch.

Every family also gets a professional photography session.

“These families come to us and they’re in the darkest moments of their life and we’re there,” she says. “We make joy possible even when time is slipping away.”