Dreams2Live4

Brett was diagnosed with stage 3A melanoma in 2023, with the cancer spreading to the lymph nodes. After surgery and treatments over the following months, Brett and fiancé Kritishna thought everything was going well and found themselves saying “after this next scan we will be all done, and everything will go back to normal.” But in August 2024 they were told that the cancer had spread to his brain and that the prognosis wasn’t great, with surgery out of the question and only one treatment option remaining.

“The worst was when they told us that this would eventually take my life and it was terminal. I was lost for words, and this broke me beyond anything I can explain. I have so much to live for, with my young family and fiancé.”

Brett, 40 met Kritishna 10 years ago, building a beautiful life together with their blended family of two children from previous relationships, and together they have two children aged just 4 and 2-years-old. With young children in tow their priority was in providing for the family, working two jobs each, and their wedding remained out of reach.

“As we would always say what’s the rush, we have time. But time is now something we no longer have the luxury of.”

Brett reached out to Dreams2Live4 explaining the wedding ‘’would be the ultimate dream for me, to make it happen somehow, before it’s too late’’ Our Dream Makers got to work to help make Brett’s very special dream come true.

“I wanted the opportunity to stand with the love of my life and declare the love that I have for her with our loved ones by our sides. I wanted to show my children that the happily ever after they see in stories are real and that our love is one they should aspire to have with someone.”

After their Dream wedding Brett and Kritishna said “We are beyond blessed to have had the support around us for our special day. It was one of the best days of our lives filled with so many emotions - love, happiness, sadness, and gratitude.”

 Thanks to the funds raised through the 2024 Dry July campaign, our nurse-trained Dream Makers have helped terminal cancer patients from all over Australia achieve their most cherished dreams. These dreams have made a positive impact on 97% of recipient’s mental well-being. 

“Dreams2Live4 have played a critical part for so many of our patients in being able to achieve memories and legacy for the loved ones; especially for our more vulnerable patients who would never have had the financial means to achieve their dreams” Hospital Oncology Social Worker

In 2024 we saw a 23% increase in applications for a dream from adults living with advanced cancer, and with almost 1 in 2 Australians predicted to be diagnosed with cancer before they are 85, the need for our Dream Makers and our program is ever increasing.

Dreams aren’t extravagant—they’re heartfelt and human, like learning to sing, reuniting with loved ones, enjoying the companionship of a dog. While cancer takes so much away, Dreams2Live4 empowers patients to feel in control again, helping them achieve dreams they never thought they would ever have. We are the only charity in Australia that provide this vital service and our Dry July campaign, and your support helps us say yes to every dream request we receive.

From all of us here at Dreams2Live4 and our Dreamers and their families who will be able to have their dreams come true in the future, THANK YOU for making a difference. We couldn’t do this without you.

Thank you for taking on the Dry July challenge for Dreams2Live4 this year. We are pleased to announce that with your help we raised an astounding $52,003.39 We are extremely grateful for your fundraising efforts and dedication.

The funds raised through your Dry July campaign has helped to support our Dream Makers who are all trained nurses and make the dreams come true. You have helped to change lives and create happiness for so many of our Dreamers from across Australia. Each dream helps to create a positive impact on the patient, and importantly to shift conversations away from cancer to dreams.

Dreams belong to the dreamer. Cancer cannot take that away.

On behalf of all the team at Dreams2Live4 we would like to thank you for your support and contribution to making a positive difference in the lives of people living with advanced cancer.

Emily was 26 years old when she first noticed a lump in her left breast. After initially assuming it would just go away, she eventually went to her GP, who sent her for an ultrasound. A Stage 3B Breast Cancer diagnosis followed, as did 16 rounds of chemotherapy, a bilateral mastectomy, and five weeks of radiation therapy.

Around a year later, Emily received the heartbreaking news that her cancer had returned and had now metastasised to her bones.

“I was angry that I had done everything they had thrown at me, and I’d powered through it all for the last two years only to be told it hadn’t worked” explained Emily.

Emily says she copes by trying to turn negative experiences into positive thoughts and having the opportunity to do something she never thought possible was a dream come true.

Emily’s dream was to visit the Great Barrier Reef with her partner Layne so there was something positive to focus on beyond the world of cancer.

Working with Louise, one of the Dreams2Live4 nurse trained Dream Makers, Emily’s trip began to take shape and the couple travelled to North Queensland.

“It was amazing! We spent five nights in Palm Cove, and hired a car so we could explore. We went out to a pontoon in the outer reef, went to places like Fitzroy Island and Kuranda, and we just relaxed.”

Emily says the importance of having dreams to look forward to when you are experiencing advanced cancer can’t be underestimated.

‘’I found so much fulfilment in planning and preparing for our time away. Being so young with advanced cancer I felt like life was over before it has begun, and this trip showed that even with my diagnosis, I can still live.

We honestly had such a good time. I am so thankful for Dreams2Live4 for helping us bring this trip to life.’’

Michael, 61 is living with advanced cancer. After finding out about what Dreams2Live4 can do to help adults living with advanced cancer he wrote a beautiful handwritten letter explaining what his dream was,

 “My only son Nicholas is due to get married next Friday in Sydney, and this is the one thing that has kept me going knowing that my son’s wedding was so close. My family are the most important thing to me on this planet, and I have drawn strength knowing my son’s wedding is on next week. I love all my family …and I’m very humbled that Dreams2Live4 have considered my request to allow me to spend this valuable time with my son and family on this special day.”

Michael needed medical transportation to get him to and from the Central Coast and Sydney to attend the wedding with his wife, Donna. Dream Maker Louise worked with Michael and Donna and helped to get everything organised for the special day.

Donna tells us ‘’No words can describe how grateful I am to the wonderful caring people at Dreams2live4, who made Michael a very happy Dad. The nurses on the day were kind and professional and took wonderful care of Michael. Everything went so smoothly, that we were able to relax and enjoy this very special day’’.