Dreams2Live4

Melanie was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020. Two years later, it returned with cancer found in 57 lymph nodes. A mother of two young girls, Melanie is navigating unimaginable circumstances. Her eldest, 11, lives with severe disabilities, and her youngest is just nine years old.

Then came the news no family is ever prepared for.

“In late 2025, I was told the cancer had spread to the lining of my brain. It was stage 4, and I was given a three-month prognosis,” Melanie explained.

Despite everything, Melanie says “At the moment, I’m just living day by day.”

A Dream That Became a Lifeline

Before her diagnosis, Melanie had a simple dream: to take her family to Jamala Wildlife Lodge in the ACT, to be with her girls as they experience the animals up close and personal.

It was something she had always wanted to do but could never afford. Dreams2Live4 made it possible for Melanie to give her daughters something priceless, a joyful memory of time spent together, surrounded by animals.

“I needed something in the dark days, something to look forward to and be excited about. It has truly changed my life in the three months I’ve been given, and my children’s lives too. It’s something we wouldn’t have been able to do otherwise.”

For Melanie, this wasn’t just a getaway from the treatment and hospital visits - it was about creating something that would last long after she is gone.

“I wanted something my children would remember, a memory of me, and this dream has given my little family the most incredible gift.”

In 2025, our nurse-trained Dream Makers delivered a record number of dreams positively impacting the lives of hundreds of Australians living with terminal cancer, along with their families and friends.

Dreams have ranged from memory-making moments like weddings and family reunions to practical improvements that ease daily challenges. Some patients choose to record a song or take on a personal challenge; others wish to visit a favourite place or attend a long-awaited sporting event.

As Kayla shared,  "It’s not about money and the things you buy. It’s about the memories and the love shared and made" Her dream brought family and friends together for a joyful day at the zoo creating lasting memories when they mattered most.

A dream offers an important reprieve, shifting focus from illness to hope, and from conversations about cancer to something deeply personal. Our nurse-trained Dream Makers have been with patients every step of the way providing compassionate support while helping turn each dream into a meaningful reality. With mental wellbeing a critical part of quality of life during serious illness, the journey of imagining, planning, and experiencing a dream plays a vital role in holistic cancer care.

As Dream Maker Julie explains, “The impact a dream can have on someone living with terminal cancer is just incredible. From the very first time I speak to a Dreamer, I can feel something special start to happen, the darkness lifts a little, and they are full of life again.”

Dreams2Live4 is the only charity in Australia dedicated exclusively to making dreams come true for adults 17 years and older living with terminal cancer. 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. 

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.