The Dreamer - Fall 2022
A Dream Come True starts with YOU!
There is power in a dream come true.
Working with Dream Kids and their families, I’ve seen first-hand the amazing impact a Dream can have— Providing hope where there was none. Happiness where there was sadness. Laughter where there were tears.
As a supporter of The Dream Factory and children with life-threatening illnesses in the past, this isn’t news to you. You believe in the healing power of a dream come true. But within that dream, there’s something else powerful at work. Something that, without it, dreams wouldn’t be possible. And that something is you. You have healing powers, too.
During the last seven years, I’ve had the pleasure of watching as your generosity helped make over 200 Dreams come true! That’s 200 children with life-threatening illnesses. 200 families. And countless smiles… all because of you. Thank you.
It’s because of your commitment to these kids that I wanted you to be one of the first to know that I’ll be retiring from my role as Executive Director of The Dream Factory this month. It’s bittersweet, but I know I’m leaving these children and their families in the best hands…
…Yours.
The power of your kindness is far-reaching. Your decision to show up for sick children and their families is a huge gift. One we at The Dream Factory don’t take for granted.
To see just how powerful you are, I encourage you to read through the latest edition of The Dreamer. In it, you’ll see how you helped Aria’s family come up for air at Disney, and how you encouraged Jack to find the strength of a Viking on his trip to Newfoundland!
You’ll also read about Ava—a seven-year-old who your healing power still has the potential to reach. Ava has been through so much in her young life. Liver failure. A bone marrow transplant. Chemotherapy. Radiation. Meningitis. Monthly blood transfusions…
For now, she’s stable. She and her family could really use a break. And with your help, we can give it to them a celebration vacation at—you guessed it—Disney!
But your support today will do more than buy flight tickets and park passes. The power of your gift lies in the fact that this little girl; this family will know there is a community of Dreamers—full of kind-hearted people like you—that care for them. That want to see their Dream come true.
If you are willing and able, please consider helping send Ava and her family on a celebration vacation today!
With never-ending gratitude for compassionate friends like you,
Howard Koks
Outgoing Executive Director, The Dream Factory
Disney’s newest princess - dream kid aria
You may remember Aria and her sister, Brie from the cover of our first-ever holiday gift guide, The Dream Book. Even with a rare neurological disorder, Aria’s smile is totally infectious!
Since she was born, Aria’s disease has been slowly but steadily attacking her little body. Doctors have told Aria’s parents that they may only have two years left with her.
Aria’s parents are determined to make those the best years ever. And because of your compassion, they’re off to a great start!
Thanks to the generosity of supporters like you, Aria’s whole family just got back from a magical trip to Disney! Aria has always been her parents’ little princess - so she fit right in!
Aria’s absolute favourite ride was the Frozen Ever After ride, and the family’s special passes allowed them to go right to the front of the line! Aria is also a huge fan of Peppa Pig. Just before her trip, a brand new Peppa Pig Park opened next to Disney and the family was able to go!
“It was so hard to leave,” Aria’s mom told us. “When we’re at home, there are constantly different problems that come up with Aria’s health. But at Disney, everyone was just so happy!”
Pictured: Aria and her sister, Brie, blowing bubbles and having a blast!
Pictured: ‘One’ led to ‘two’ - here are two that inspire Brenda and Brad to support The Dream Factory as monthly donors.
Every “One” Deserves To Dream
We received a letter from Brenda and Brad Ambrosie, some of The Dream Factory’s fabulous monthly donors. Brenda told us why she and her family are so passionate about The Dream Factory, and why they choose to donate each month.
“Brad and I are parents of one daughter, we never thought we would have any children but we were blessed with at least one. Our ‘one’ changed our lives and made us a family. Our ‘one’ became the joy in our lives and our missing link. Our ‘one’ was growing in leaps and bounds into a little toddler.”
Brenda and Brad’s ‘one’ grew up with childhood migraines - but before learning that this was the cause of her frequent vomiting and headaches, Brad and Brenda were afraid that it would be something much worse. These two Dream Builders were so thankful that their ‘one’ was able to grow up and have ‘two’ of her own. That’s why they were inspired by the stories of the kids at The Dream Factory to help make Dreams come true for sick children in Manitoba.
The Strength of a Viking
We are so excited to share with you that Jack’s Dream came true! Ever since he was a kid, Jack has been really interested in the Viking settlements in Newfoundland. He has always wanted to explore them. But because of his rare genetic disorder, Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, a road trip to the east coast would have been impossible.
But because of the generosity of our Dream Community, Jack, his brother Eli, and his mother Josy were able to fly to Newfoundland and take an amazing cruise all around the island! Jack was able to see everything he had dreamed about! He had this to say about his Dream Trip:
“My trip to Newfoundland has been one of, if not the best vacations I’ve ever taken. Friendly staff, massive amounts of amazing food, and some of the most beautiful land I’ve ever seen made the trip almost perfect. From the near Martian landscape of the Tablelands of Gros Morne to the isolated village of Francois, Newfoundland has some of the greatest locations in Canada, though the Maritimes are often underappreciated, and very often forgotten altogether.
Pictured: Dream Kid Jack exploring the fascinating landscapes in Newfoundland!
I’d like to thank The Dream Factory for allowing my life to be changed like this; to let me see places and landscapes that very few people ever visit, and to generally broaden my horizons and let me have a deeper understanding of my country and the world around me.”
Thank you Jack, for sharing your experience, and thank you Dream Community, for being in Jack’s corner!