Dreams2Live4

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’’.

Your fundraising for Dry July 2023 will be used to fund Dream Makers to make life-changing dreams come true across Australia for adults living with advanced cancer.

Thank you for making a positive difference in the lives of people living with cancer.

Inspirational Dreamer Sheryl wears her kilt or her “warrior outfit” for every chemotherapy and oncology appointment - she calls herself ‘Shezza Braveheart’.

“My cancer journey commenced in 2018 when I ‘accidentally’ discovered a large tumour under my right breast. Fast-forward to 2021, and the cancer had metastasized and I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer,” said Sheryl.

Sheryl had always dreamt of visiting the Outback and decided she needed something to get through the challenging months ahead, something to aim for, something to live for.

“I couldn’t believe it when I found out about Dreams2Live4. I applied online and received a phone call from Louise, one of the Dream Makers,” explained Sheryl.

“It was the best phone call I could have wished for! When Louise said she could help me with my dream, I cried with joy! Is this real? Am I dreaming this?”

After months of planning and working with Louise, Sheryl headed to the Outback for her dream trip and came back with a whole new outlook on life.

“The euphoria a dream provides is immeasurable - not only for myself but for everyone around me. It’s infectious, it makes you feel loved. To visit so many special places has left me with a wonderful feeling of contentment, I really did have, and still do have, a swing in my kilt!”

“Thank you Dreams2Live4 for supporting me to live my dream!”