Editors Note: The Daily Journal had done this story last week to be used as this weekend’s feature and to run in print today. Then we received word Sunday that the subject of this story, Greg Treaster, passed away Saturday at around 10:30 p.m. Although he wasn’t able to take the final trip back to Utah and Colorado that he’d hoped, he without a doubt touched the lives of those who knew and loved him. It’s because of his lasting impact on those around him that we’ve chosen to go ahead and share his story.

A Park Hills man with terminal cancer has been granted a wish by the Dream Foundation that will allow him and his wife to make a trip out West, so he can say a final goodbye to family and friends.

Greg Treaster, 38, said he “came down with symptoms” in the middle of 2015, but moved back home because he felt he could get better treatment in Missouri.

“When I got here, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon rectal cancer and it had spread already to my lungs and liver,” he said. “Since then it’s been in my bones and my prostate. I’ve been taking chemo for two-and-a-half years. I’m not taking anymore obviously, I’m on hospice.

“I joined the Kindred Hospice once the doctors basically said there was nothing else they could do. Kindred has been just flawless in everything — the execution of getting all the medication I need, requests, whatever. They’ve been a really big help in just keeping me comfortable — and help out my wife, Alecia, and mom.

“Everybody’s bent over backwards to make sure that my comfort is number one. I don’t feel like a number. You feel like you’re the only person in the organization. Like I told people, I didn’t join hospice to die — I joined hospice to live. That’s kinda where I’m at right now. I’m just going to enjoy every day that I can.”

Treaster had shared his dream of making one last trip to Utah and Colorado but was unaware that his wish had already been granted by the Dream Foundation. The Kindred Hospice team had been contacted by the foundation with the good news earlier in the week and so, they showed up Sept. 7 at the door of the couple’s apartment with helium-filled balloons and other goodies to tell Treaster his dream was going to become a reality.

Although seriously ill, Treaster is a gregarious man with a positive attitude and a great sense of humor. He invited the group to come in and have a seat, at which time he was handed a letter and asked to read it aloud.

“Dear Greg, on behalf of all of us at the Dream Foundation — the only national dream-granting organization for terminally ill adults and their families — want you to know that we are honored to fulfill your dream to visit your loved ones in Utah and Colorado.

“We hope this dream gives you the opportunity to find inspiration, comfort and closure while making special memories with your loved ones, and most of all have fun. Your dream will join more than 30,000 others that we have had the privilege to serve over the past two decades.”

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