The national wish-granting organization celebrates serving 20,000 dreams since 1994 with special presentation to 20,000th dream recipient
Santa Barbara, CA – January 14, 2014 – Dream Foundation — the only national dream-granting organization for adults and their families battling life-threatening illness—has served 20,000 dreams since it was founded in 1994. The milestone 20,000th dream was recently granted to Yvonne Rodriguez, a 34-year-old woman from Los Angeles, CA. The wife and mother of two has been battling terminal breast cancer and dreamt of sharing a special trip where she could enjoy time with her husband Michael and children, Ava, 9, and Eli, 4.
Rodriguez and her family visited SeaWorld San Diego, the San Diego Zoo, and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. They spent three nights at the Hilton Grand Vacation Pacific Palisades resort. “It was fabulous; it was better than anything we could have asked for,” her husband said.
Dream Foundation will be celebrating its 20,000th dream milestone with the Rodriguez Family at 11:15 a.m., Wednesday, January 21st at Dream Foundation headquarters, 1528 Chapala St., Suite 304, Santa Barbara, CA 93105 with a special recognition ceremony. Press is invited to cover this event.
“What dreams do for individuals like Yvonne is allow them the chance to dream again and create memories and experience moments that are among life’s most important, for themselves but also for their loved ones,” said Dream Foundation Executive Director Kisa Heyer. “A dream for an adult is often a humble request about gathering with loved ones, making the most of the time they have left and celebrating a life lived.”
Final dreams range from basic needs items such as a mobility scooter, lift chair, working appliance or laptop, to bedside reunions, final vacations with family or meeting a personal hero. Dream Foundation has never turned down a qualified dream request. The organization receives no federal or state funding, relying solely on corporate and individual contributions and grants.
“Year after year, we continue to see a rise in dream requests, and our goal is to continue to be a resource for those in need,” Heyer said. “After 20 years, our dream recipients continue to inspire us to do the important work of providing comfort and closure during the end-of-life journey. With the support of our dedicated community, we are looking forward to ensuring that Dream Foundation is an important part of people’s lives and dreams for the next 20 years.”
About Dream Foundation
The first and largest national dream-granting organization for adults, Dream Foundation enhances the quality of life for individuals and their families battling life-threatening illness. Dream recipients are those individuals who have been given a year or less life expectancy. Dreams range from basic need items, like a working stove, to bedside reunions and meaning experiences with children and loved ones.
Founded in 1994, Dream Foundation serves more than 2,500 dreams each year and relies on a network of volunteers, sponsors, and individual donors.
For more information, visit www.dreamfoundation.org
