Saratoga Springs, NY – On April 14, 2010, Dream Foundation, the first national wish-granting organization for adults in the end stages of life, fulfilled 58-year old Herman “Al” Crose’s dream request to obtain a computer so he could locate and connect with relatives before he passes.
Crose, a Saratoga Springs resident, suffers from a terminal form of carcinoma and is currently undergoing two treatments a month of chemotherapy. He wrote to Dream Foundation in late March with his wish to get a computer so that he could search for – and eventually correspond with – his estranged daughter, niece, and nephew.
“My concerns are that I have family who are unaware of the disease I have. They are in different states and there are some in New York City,” said Crose. “Through the years we have lost contact with one another. If I had a computer, it would enhance my search and relieve a lot of the stress I feel day to day.”
On April 8, Dream Foundation sent Crose a Gateway Laptop complete with a camera so that Crose can communicate with located relatives via SKYPE. Upon the news, Crose told his Dream Foundation Dream Coordinator Emily Mullranin, that he was thrilled, and hoped we would put his photo on the Dream Foundation website to assist in his search.
“Our dreamers, like Herman, constantly remind us what is important,” said Dream Foundation founder, Thomas Rollerson. “Family, connecting, making peace, leaving nothing unsaid – these are the things that matter, regardless the amount of time one has left in life.”
Relatives of Crose can contact Dream Foundation at 805-564-2131.
This year, Dream Foundation will fulfill its 10,000th dream for adults battling life-threatening illnesses. As one of the only organizations that grants wishes to adults, its dream recipients are 18-years or older, have been given a year or less prognosis, and meet certain financial criteria – ensuring resources are allocated to those who would not otherwise be able to afford their dreams.
Although the Dream Foundation serves a broad spectrum of dreams, a common theme is “relief” as expressed in Crose’s own words.
For the poor and underserved, “relief” is knowing the heating bill is paid, having a wheel chair ramp built in their home, or receiving a comfortable mattress in which to rest. For families, “relief” is creating joy-filled final memories with loved-ones and ensuring nothing is left unsaid. Nearly 40% of Dream Foundation dream recipients have children in the home. For their children “relief” is receiving support and compassion as they deal with the impending loss of a parent.
ABOUT DREAM FOUNDATION’S 10,000 IN ’10 CHALLENGE
In 2010, 15 years after the fulfillment of its first dream, Dream Foundation will realize its 10,000th dream. In celebration of the 10,000 dream recipients – and their heartfelt final wishes – Dream Foundation is asking the national community to partake in the 10,000 in ‘10 challenge.
Honoring 10,000 fulfilled dreams, Dream Foundation is aiming to collect 10,000 gifts in 2010. Gifts can come by way of a contribution of $10 or more, 10,000 donated airline miles, 10 volunteer hours, and other “10-themed” gift options found on the Dream Foundation website at www.dreamfoundation.org.
“This is truly the best way we could honor our dream recipients,” says Rollerson. “Those who have had their dreams fulfilled are the most invested in seeing us to carry on our mission. So often we receive cards and humble donations from our dreamers beseeching us to help others. No one knows better the importance of the service we provide than they do,” adds Rollerson.
New York, NY – On April 7, 2010, Dream Foundation, the first national wish-granting organization for adults in the end stages of life, fulfilled Jettie Patton’s lifelong dream to meet celebrity make-up artist, Bobbi Brown.
Patton, a North Carolina native, spent three days in New York where she and her mother got a tour of the Bobbi Brown studios, received makeovers, participated in a professional photo shoot with famed photographer, Ben Ritter, and created their own signature lip glosses with Brown and her product development team.
“It is an honor for us to be part of this dream,” says Brown. “Our philosophy has always been that beauty is about feeling good and celebrating individuality. Jettie deserves to feel good. Her strength, courage and character should be celebrated. Her beauty is what inspires us,” adds Brown.
Although Patton felt slightly fatigued from her illness, photographer, Ben Ritter, said she was incredibly engaging and focused on gaining make-up tips from the ultimate pro. “It was so remarkable how Jettie literally LIT up on camera,” said Ritter. “I have never seen anything like it. Jettie was exactly where she belonged. She was smiling, having fun, posing, laughing,” he added.
Patton’s mother, Janice Patton, personally wrote to Dream Foundation in January with the 25-year-old’s dream to meet Brown. “She’s always been the type of girl who loves to get fixed up; loves make-up and clothes,” said Patton’s mother in her hand-written letter to Dream Foundation. “Before anything else happens, I would really appreciate it if you could grant Jettie some time where she can forget about all her aches and pains and just have fun,” she added.
Patton is no stranger to aches and pains. As a small child she faced liver disease. Although she remained under doctors’ care most of her life, Patton beat the odds with a successful liver transplant at the age of five. Nearly 20 years later, in 2008, doctors discovered a tumor on Patton’s brain stem. Her liver began to fail as a result. After a month in the hospital, Patton had to re-learn to walk, talk, and eat. While she has shown progress in her recent recovery, Patton’s doctors have given her a limited prognosis.
Dream Foundation Founder, Thomas Rollerson, reflects on Patton’s dream. “A woman in her twenties is typically preparing for her future career. Jettie’s full-time job has been battling brain cancer. We so appreciate Bobbi Brown, Ben Ritter, and our dream partners for allowing Jettie a chance to experience her dream job,” adds Rollerson.
Patton and her mother also got a private tour of the Elle Magazine offices and tickets to the Lion King show, where Patton was able to apply make-up on “Nala” and “Simba.” Sheraton New York donated a three-night stay and Judith Peterson of Bergdorf Goodman served as the Dream Foundation’s “Dream Host.”
This year, Dream Foundation will fulfill its 10,000th dream for adults battling life-threatening illnesses. As one of the only organizations that grants wishes to adults, its dream recipients are 18-years or older, have been given a year or less prognosis, and meet certain financial criteria – ensuring resources are allocated to those who would not otherwise be able to afford their dreams.
“By showcasing the beauty of Jettie and her final dream, we hope to generate more awareness of Dream Foundation’s mission – so that we can fulfill 10,000 more dreams in the years to come,” adds Rollerson.
ABOUT DREAM FOUNDATION’S 10,000 IN ’10 CHALLENGE
In 2010, 15 years after the fulfillment of its first dream, Dream Foundation will realize its 10,000th dream. In celebration of the 10,000 dream recipients – and their heartfelt final wishes – Dream Foundation is asking the national community to partake in the 10,000 in ‘10 challenge.
Honoring 10,000 fulfilled dreams, Dream Foundation is aiming to collect 10,000 gifts in 2010. Gifts can come by way of a contribution of $10 or more, 10,000 donated airline miles, 10 volunteer hours, and other “10-themed” gift options found on the Dream Foundation website at www.dreamfoundation.org.
“This is truly the best way we could honor our dream recipients,” says Rollerson. “Those who have had their dreams fulfilled are the most invested in seeing us to carry on our mission. So often we receive cards and humble donations from our dreamers beseeching us to help others. No one knows better the importance of the service we provide than they do,” adds Rollerson.
ABOUT DREAM FOUNDATION
The mission of Dream Foundation is to enhance the quality of life for individuals and their families battling life-threatening illness. With approximately 1,600 dream requests annually, Dream Foundation relies on donations of cash, airline miles and other resources to make many of their dreams come true. For more information visit www.dreamfoundation.org or call (805) 564-2131.
ABOUT BOBBI BROWN
Bobbi Brown first arrived on the beauty scene in 1991 with the launch of Bobbi Brown Essentials, 10 brown-based lipstick shades created to fill a void in the market of simple, flattering and wearable makeup. Bobbi’s unique approach to cosmetics was a long-awaited gift for women who wanted a more natural look, and therefore caught the attention of cosmetics empire Estée Lauder Companies, which acquired Bobbi Brown Cosmetics in 1995. Almost 20 years later, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics has expanded beyond lipstick to a full range of color cosmetics, fragrance and skincare. Today, with a global presence in over 55 countries and 900 doors, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics is coveted by world renowned makeup artists, celebrities and style makers for effortless yet beautiful makeup that meets the needs of women everywhere. Bobbi Brown remains one of the world’s most celebrated makeup artists.
Santa Barbara, Calif. – April 6, 2010, Dream Foundation, the first national wish-granting organization for adults in the end stages of life, is preparing for a momentous milestone. In 2010, 15 years after the fulfillment of its first dream, the non-profit organization will realize its 10,000th dream. In celebration of 10,000 dream recipients – and their heartfelt final wishes – Dream Foundation, along with Priscilla Presley, is asking the national community to partake in the 10,000 in ‘10 challenge.
In honoring 10,000 fulfilled dreams, Dream Foundation is aiming to collect 10,000 gifts in 2010. Gifts can come by way of a contribution of $10 or more, 10,000 donated airline miles, 10 volunteer hours, and other “10-themed” gift options found on the Dream Foundation website at www.dreamfoundation.org.
Speaking on the 10,000 in ’10 challenge, famed actress, businesswoman, and Dream Foundation Ambassador, Priscilla Presley, notes, “We’re not just commemorating a number. We are honoring the families who have touched our lives over the years and gathering resources so we can fulfill the next 10,000 dreams. It’s an ambitious challenge, but Dream Foundation is in the business of hope,” adds Presley. “We believe we can accomplish our goal.”
Founded by Thomas Rollerson in 1994, Dream Foundation maintains a 4-Star rating by Charity Navigator and strives to bring joy and comfort at the end of life’s journey. Dream recipients – ages 18 and up – have been given diagnosis of a year or less life and are often financially depleted as a result of their illnesses. From a small office in Santa Barbara, Dream Foundation collects funds and resources to fulfill the dreams of nearly 10,000 adults across the country.
“This is truly the best way we could honor our dream recipients,” says Rollerson. “Those who have had their dreams fulfilled are the most invested in seeing us to carry on our mission. So often we receive cards and humble donations from our dreamers beseeching us to help others. No one knows better the importance of the service we provide than they do,” adds Rollerson.
Dream Foundation’s 10,000th dream is a milestone that represents a broad spectrum of final wishes. One end of the spectrum is represented by basic needs, such as wheel chair ramps, heating, mobility scooters and items as simple as dentures; i.e. dreams that bring simple comfort and relief. The other end of the spectrum is represented by dream weddings, meetings with a personal hero, reunions, and final trips with loved ones. Nearly 40 percent of Dream Foundation’s dream recipients have children living in the home.
Many of their dreams involve creating happy memories away from the drudgeries of hospital rooms and treatments. (Specific examples of fulfilled dreams can be found on the “Fulfilled Dreams” page on www.dreamfoundation.org)
With the current state of the economy, Dream Foundation notes that the resources gathered as part of 10,0000 in ‘10 couldn’t come at a more critical time.
“To date, we haven’t had to turn down a qualified dream. Yet each year we receive more dream requests and – just like other companies and families across the country – we are forced to do more with less,” adds Rollerson. “We made sure the 10,000 in ‘10 gift options are accessible to everyone, regardless of income. All who join us as part of this challenge will be imparting vital gifts of reconciliation, validation, peace, and closure to those at the end of life’s journey,” notes Rollerson.
Dream Foundation (formally Dalmatian Dreams) was founded by Rollerson in 1994, after his family received exemplary care from the hospice and palliative care community. When his loved one expressed a final wish, Rollerson contacted children wish-granting organizations and discovered that although there were many wish-granting organizations for children (around 88 at the time including several nationally organizations) nothing existed for those over 18-yrs of age.
“I realized that any human being, regardless of age, deserves to have his or her final wish acknowledged,” states Rollerson. “Dream Foundation was my way of staying connected to life, and giving back for all that had been given to my family. I wanted to be an advocate for these tender wishes.”
ABOUT PRISCILLA PRESLEY’S HISTORY WITH DREAM FOUNDATION
Priscilla Presley is an internationally accomplished and admired woman with a remarkably diverse career that includes success in acting, producing, business and publishing. Presley became involved with the Dream Foundation in 1997, when she hosted a Dream Recipient whose final wish was to go to Graceland. She was so inspired by the experience that she contacted the Dream Foundation and inquired about how she could get further involved. Since then, Presley has hosted Marjoe Gortner’s “Celebrity Sports Invitational” on behalf of the Dream Foundation – as well as several events at her beautiful home; spread word of the Dream Foundation mission on TV and in print interviews; and given of her time generously and unfailingly.
Aurora, CO – At 85 years old, Texana Striggles is facing the toughest challenge of her life: she is battling a malignant neoplasm in her lungs, a condition which will likely defeat her within this calendar year. During her battle, Texana suffered a stroke that has robbed her of some of her most basic faculties. Although most individuals in this situation would not have the energy to take on extra rehabilitation efforts, Texana is determined to regain her ability to read in her final days of life.
“Reading was one of the few activities she could still enjoy with regularity,” says Cinta Proter, the Evercare Hospice Social Worker who has been assisting Texana for 6 months. “The stroke took that pleasure away from her, and we wanted to find a way to help give it back,” continues Proter. To that end, Porter and Texana’s CNA took it upon themselves to help Texana with flash cards, but since time was of the essence for their patient, Texana’s support team decided to seek professional help to teach her to read again.
Porter contacted Dream Foundation to help realize Texana’s dream. For more than fifteen years, Dream Foundation has brought joy and comfort to individuals at the end of life’s journey. From a small office in Santa Barbara, Dream Foundation has collected resources and funding to fulfill the dreams of nearly 10,000 adults across the country. “We are honored to have the opportunity to help make Texana’s dream come true, and we are thankful that Evercare brought us into this effort,” states Thomas Rollerson, Founder of Dream Foundation. “Texana teaches all of us that it’s never too late to enrich our lives through learning,” adds Rollerson.
Dream Foundation called upon the Sylvan Learning Center in Denver to help. Sylvan Learning agreed to match the contribution from Dream Foundation while also discounting their tutorial rate. This partnership will provide Texana with 30 hours of professional reading courses. Although these reading courses are valued at more than $1600, they are priceless to Texana, who is eager to commence her studies this week.
ABOUT EVERCARE
Evercare Hospice & Palliative Care is part the UnitedHealth Group family of businesses, providing hospice and palliative care services in 11 states.