We wanted to thank everyone for helping to make
Dream Catchers 2009 a huge success!
Greetings from DreamCatchers!
It is with great excitement and immense gratitude that the three of us share with you the amazing success of the night we shared together on December 10th. We want to extend a heartfelt “Thank You!” for your incredible generosity and support to make a difference in the lives of children struggling with life-threatening illnesses. It is through each and every one of your contributions and participation in the DreamCatchers 2009 event that we are excited to announce the final amount raised....
$17,954!!
And that’s not all we have to share! In addition to the money raised, one charitable DreamCatchers attendee decided to personally sponsor an entire wish on behalf of their family! It proved to be a truly inspiring night!
What really matters is not the total dollars raised, not the enjoyment we shared, not the silent auction items won – none of these things. What matters is that through your giving hearts, four struggling children were granted their wishes, and will enjoy a brighter day because of you. Thank you very much for making possible the fulfillment of Rachell’s, Jonah’s, and Kimberly’s wishes – and the additional, individually sponsored child’s wish. (The family is preparing a special family time for the kids to choose which additional child they would like to sponsor). Allow us to share again about each of their conditions, and wishes that you made possible. Please consider taking a moment to imagine the difficulty and corresponding heroic hearts that are in each of them.
- Prekash, Sam, and Hunter
Rachell's Wish
Our inspiration wish! Rachell first caught our attention when we reviewed a list of possible wishes to choose from – and she continued to impact our hearts through the entire process. She is a shy, full-of-smiles 6 year old who is battling cancer. Last year alone she spent 5 straight months living in a hospital. Like many little girls, she dreams of being a princess so her one true wish is to have her bedroom redone with princess furniture and bedding. We enjoyed an incredibly great time with the family when we delivered the evening gown Victorian Rose donated. It was impacting to know that we were helping fulfill the wishes of a child who wasn’t only affected by sickness, but also by language barriers (she speaks both English and Spanish, but her parents speak only Spanish) and a low income situation. She truly won over our hearts and compelled us to want to help other children in need.
Jonah's Wish
Jonah is a 7 year old sweet, active, fun-loving little boy. Last summer his parents found a lump in his pelvis while they were on vacation in Georgia. They went to a local pediatrician and starting treating him for constipation. Several days later after increasing pain, difficulty breathing, and general malaise they took him to a local ER. They did a CT scan and found a mass. He was ambulanced to Egleston in Atlanta and he started chemotherapy for Burkitt's Lymphoma 2 days later. After his first 2 courses of chemo he was allowed to come home and continue his treatment at UNC Children's Hospital. His wish WAS to go to Disneyworld – it happened! We are excited to share that through the event’s success & commitment he was able to enjoy an incredible time there a couple of weeks ago! Please visit the tab entitled 'Jonah's Wish - Fulfilled' to see the pictures!
Kimberly's Wish (Enjoyed by both Kimberly and Katherine)
Yet another very heart-touching story - Katherine and Kimberly, ages 9 and 10, both have both Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and Arnold Chiari Malformations, with additional progressive life threatening related medical conditions. These diseases have to do with cerebrospinal fluid and a malformation of the brain. Katherine and Kimberly were both diagnosed at ages 2 1/2 years old and each had their 1st brain surgeries at ages 3 and 4. In the last 4 1/2 years Katherine and Kimberly have had combined 3 brain surgeries and 3 spinal surgeries with more surgeries in their futures. It is very difficult to imagine two little girls undergoing so many significant and life-threatening procedures – and keeping a smile on their face. Their one true wish is to go to the American Girls store in Chicago and get some dolls that “look like them” – they love American girl!! Of special note - they also have two additional siblings who have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome - and all four children are cared for by their mom, Deborah.
