Help Grant Dreams to Adults With Terminal Illnesses by Donating Miles to Dream Foundation
Three Airlines and Three Dreams
Sandy Lahmann is one of the many people who have benefited from the generosity of United and its MileagePlus program members. During her initial battle with adenocarcinoma, Sandy’s daughter Tory returned home to help during her treatment. Unfortunately, Sandy’s illness worsened, but she wanted to see her daughter compete in the XTERRA World Championship in Hawaii and participate in one last 5K with her daughter while she still could.
With the help of Dream Foundation, United and MileagePlus member donations, Sandy was able to attend the XTERRA events in October of 2016. As Sandy put it, completing the trail run “showed me that I am not a helpless victim of my cancer and can still enjoy life, even with this hideous disease.”
John Lechowicz, a terminally-ill Vietnam veteran who served in the U.S. Air Force for four years, is another Dream recipient. He wanted to see the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C. before he died. To fulfill his Dream, Dream Foundation partnered with the Honor Flight Network. Both organizations are supported by Southwest and accept Rapid Rewards points as donations.
In September 2016, John and his caretaker, a fellow Vietnam veteran, were flown to Washington where they visited the Vietnam, World War II, Korean War, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and Air Force memorials. John was able to find some closure by being able to touch the Vietnam Memorial and reconnect with fallen comrades.
Sharon McGregor’s dream was simple. She wanted to enjoy one last vacation and visit Disneyland with her family. Thanks in part to Alaska Airline’s support and Mileage Plan member donations, she was able to do that. Dream Foundation was able to provide Sharon and her family with airfare, hotel accommodations, passes to Disneyland and Universal Studios and extra spending money.
Before leaving, Sharon said she was looking forward to the trip because it would offer “a time when reality stops and talk of death and pain is set aside, replaced instead by excitement, smiles and joy.”
