Alison Diminuco: Two Weddings, Honoring Her Mom, and Living Fearlessly
How Alison Diminuco Honored her Mom at Both her Wedding Celebrations
After graduating from Virginia Tech during the COVID-19 pandemic, Alison Diminuco moved back home with her parents in Northern Virginia. It may not have been what she had planned, but now those moments are cherished forever.
Alison’s mom, Denise, was the rock of their family, always available and giving good advice, and Alison credits her mom with teaching valuable life skills, from building furniture to changing a tire.
“She taught me how to be strong, to be independent and, most importantly, fearless,” Alison said.
But when she moved back home after college, their relationship grew even more – sharing meals together, gardening, and just hanging out.
“I became a lot closer to my mom,” Alison said. “We started to have a lot more in common. I really cherished those weeks.”
An Unexpected Cancer Diagnosis
In the spring of 2024, Denise was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. The diagnosis was shocking, and the following year was a rollercoaster. Denise persistently sought and applied for clinical trials but was unable to find one that she qualified for.
Throughout the year of treatment, there were times when the scans improved and showed the tumors were shrinking, but ultimately the family was given devastating news in early 2025: the cancer had spread to her brain and spinal cord.
Two Wedding Ceremonies: Timeless Memories
While Denise was in her cancer journey, Alison was engaged and planning a wedding for August 2025. Denise was incredibly excited for her daughter and loved being involved in the planning, sending countless texts and emails and going with Alison to pick out a dress.
“My mom loved my husband, Zack. Sometimes I think she loved him more than me. She was really excited about us getting married,” Alison said with a smile. “I definitely think it was helping to get her mind off stuff.”
But, when Denise’s health began to decline and she was not accepted into any clinical trials, Alison was faced with a difficult choice. Uncertain of what the future held, she and Zack decided to postpone their large celebration to March 2026. Instead, Alison planned an intimate backyard wedding at her parents’ home.
Alison and Zack were married on August 14, 2025, her parents’ 32nd wedding anniversary. Denise attended the ceremony outside and witnessed her daughter get married before returning to bed and resting during the small reception.
“It was honestly better than I could have ever expected. My parents’ backyard looked absolutely beautiful that day,” Alison said. “I just feel so lucky that my mom got to see me get married. I wouldn’t change it for the world, even if it is how it had to happen.”
Denise passed away at home surrounded by family just 11 days later.
In March 2026, Alison and Zack celebrated their originally planned wedding with an abundance of friends and family. But there was a big piece missing. The newlyweds decided to honor Alison’s mom by generously donating their whole honeymoon fund, over $3,000, to the V Foundation for Cancer Research.
“We know that cancer touches far too many families, including ours, and supporting research just felt like the best way to honor her memory,” Alison said. “We don’t want anyone else to have to go through what we did, and we know that this will help carry her love forward and help others have more time together.”
A Testament for More Cancer Research
Alison and her entire family saw the dire need for further advancements in cancer research through her mom’s journey. When seeking clinical trials, Alison’s dad shared with Alison that a lot of support for advancements in cancer research comes from non-profit organizations like the V Foundation. This, in addition to the V Foundation’s pledge that 100% of direct donations go directly to cancer research, led to Alison and Zack choosing the V Foundation to honor Denise.
By sharing their story and investing in a future of Victory Over Cancer®, Alison and Zack are continuing Denise’s “fearless” legacy.
“All I could do was just take everything that she taught me and use that to get through it. Even though my mom didn’t overcome it, the victory for me is just knowing that there is more research to happen for people who are going to overcome it.”
