The Dreamer - Spring 2021
Thank You for being a Kind, Caring Manitoban!
We’re so grateful you’re reading this. And that’s because of who you are – a kind, compassionate person who cares about children facing life-threatening illnesses right here in Manitoba.
With the kindness you’ve shown, you made it possible for Noah, Ethan, and Nova to dream.
These children are going through painful and exhausting medical treatments for diseases that threaten their lives. You can imagine how scary it must be — for them and for their parents.
Yet when these children wanted to look beyond their illness, and embrace life, and summon their courage to dream, you were there for them with your generous support.
There’s Ethan. Not even the treatments for a brain tumour can stop him. He’s a real fighter, and you won’t believe what he chose for his dream.
There’s Nova, a happy, smiling 2-year-old with cancer. Like the little sweetheart that she is, Nova chose a dream that she and her siblings could all enjoy together.
And there’s Noah, a bright, outgoing 15-year-old who’s dealing with a very serious illness, including all the treatments and surgeries that come with it. His dream? A gaming set-up. His incredible act of selflessness? Raise funds for other children facing a life-threatening illness.
Three remarkable children. We hope you take a moment to read their stories, because you’ve made a big, lasting difference for each of them.
By giving so generously, you’ve made these children and their parents so happy. You’ve touched their lives. You’ve given them hope, and it will be with them forever.
And now there’s Anna. She was born with a rare syndrome called Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Deficiency. It means that throughout her life, Anna will have seizures, developmental delay, and low muscle mass.
Despite all Anna has been through already, she is always smiling and laughing. And I know with you on her team, her Disney Dream will come true when safe to do so.
Please enjoy this issue of The Dreamer. You’ll see your generosity at work to help kids with life-threatening illnesses realize that their dreams really can come true.
We’re so grateful for you.
Ethan Now Has a Bedroom Sanctuary to Recharge In
What A Gift You Gave Him!
He’s probably the most courageous kid you’ll ever know. At 13, Ethan is fighting a brain tumour – with emphasis on “fighting.”
Pictured: Ethan’s new bedroom oasis.
He’s going through long, painful treatments for his disease that often drain his energy. But you simply cannot stop this kid. Despite it all, he looks for every chance to laugh and smile.
That’s why, when his dream was to create a new bedroom for himself and his twin brother to share – well, we just had to do it. And you made it happen.
Take a look at these photos. With the pandemic going on and his immune system already compromised, Ethan will be spending lots of time indoors. But he won’t mind a bit. It’s the perfect place for him to rest and recharge.
Just think what this means for him, with everything he’s going through. And just think what it means for you – you helped make this possible with your caring donations. Thank you!
There’s Nothing Like Santa to Make Her Smile
A Special Christmas, Made Possible By You!
You can count on Santa to deliver toys to lots of kids. But last Christmas, something magical happened. Santa arrived at the home of a special little girl.
Just two years old, Nova has acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Needless to say, that’s a serious illness, and Nova’s family worries about her every day. And yet, this sweet little girl is an absolute fighter. Not to mention totally adorable.
Pictured: Nova celebrating the best Christmas ever with her siblings.
Her dream was to have, and we’re quoting, the “best Christmas ever!” Thanks to you, that’s exactly what happened. Santa arrived at Nova’s door with presents for her and her siblings. “They had a beautiful day,” Nova’s mom says. “It really was the best Christmas ever.”
With all the treatments that Nova has to go through, it’s been a struggle for the whole family. And often a painful struggle for Nova. That’s why the special Christmas meant so much.
“To be given something like this, it’s really incredible,” Nova’s mom says. “This just doesn’t happen. I feel so thankful for this. It makes me want to cry. I’m just so grateful.”
That says it all, doesn’t it? That’s what your giving does for these kids and their families. You make a real difference in their lives.
Chronic Kidney Disease? Tests, Tubes and Surgeries Can’t Keep Noah Down
Noah is an active, outgoing 15-year-old with a ready smile. You almost wouldn’t know he’s suffering. But he is. He has chronic kidney disease.
What he also has, thanks to you, is the dream of a lifetime that’s going to come true.
As Noah’s mom explains, February of last year started with a trip to the emergency department for an 8-day stay that included antibiotics for blood poisoning. After that ordeal, Noah was discharged into a world gripped by the pandemic.
Pictured: Noah receiving treatment.
“We started what felt like a revolving door at the hospital and the emergency department,” Noah’s mom says. “Five, six, seven weeks all just seemed to blend into one very long stay with countless tests, tubes, surgeries, and more.”
Noah celebrated his 15th birthday in the hospital. The day-shift nurses sang Happy Birthday. Then the night-shift nurses did the same, with ice cream and cake for everyone. It wasn’t exactly the birthday celebration Noah would have chosen for himself, but he smiled and laughed. He enjoyed it.
Noah’s dream was to see Disney World, but because of the pandemic, he’s rethinking that. No matter what he decides on, Noah’s dream will come true, because he surely deserves it. And the thanks go to you.
Determined to pay it forward, Noah launched into fundraising for the 2021 ‘Great Skate’ to help other kids dream big!
“The Dream Factory is so important for kids across Manitoba who are battling life-threatening illnesses,” Noah wrote on his online crowdfunding page.
Noah skated 6km in February as part of the event called The Great Skate — an outdoor race in support of The Dream Factory. And he raised just over $700 to help other children like him get their dreams fulfilled.
Pictured: Noah during his ‘Great Skate’.
“You will directly help to make a dream come true for a child right here in our community bravely fighting a life-threatening illness. A child just like me.,” he wrote. “Together, we can bring a dream to life!”
To join Noah and launch your own fundraiser, go to thedreamfactory.ca/ways-to-fundraise or call Karly at (204) 989-4010
A Rare Syndrome Threatens Her Future
But Little Anna Smiles Through It All. And Now She Deserves to Dream Big. Will You Help?
Anna was born with a rare syndrome that will be with her forever. She’s struggled so much already.
It’s called Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Deficiency, and it means that throughout her life, Anna will have seizures, developmental delay, and low muscle mass. When Anna was only 7 months old, her mom saw that she wasn’t eating, gaining weight, or reaching her milestones. It took months of office visits before she found out why.
“That first year after the diagnosis,” Anna’s mom says, “we were in the hospital learning how to navigate our new reality.”
Pictured: Anna and her mother.
Today, both Anna and her mom are still adapting to Anna’s many medical challenges.
And yet, Anna is a happy little girl who’s always smiling and laughing. She loves her friends, her school, and her siblings. “She has a big presence,” Anna’s mom says.
But what Anna loves probably more than anything is Disney World.
That’s because there she can see Mickey and Minnie Mouse. And not only see them but walk right up to them and hug them. That’s Anna’s dream. And while it may not happen soon because of COVID, it will happen. You can make sure of it when you give a special donation now.
No one knows what the future will be like for Anna. Her condition is that rare. But at least we can make her and her mom happy now. We can make her dream come true. Will you help?
More dreams are waiting to be fulfilled than ever before.
Right now, there are nearly 80 kids who are waiting for their dream to come true. And we can’t let these kids down. We just can’t.
And right now, you can make that dream happen for Anna just as you’ve already made dreams happen for Noah, Ethan, and Nova. If you can, please consider helping a sweet little girl like Anna.
Again, thank you for being part of our Dream Community. We are so grateful for your kind heart.
Pictured: Ethan in his new room.
Pictured: Nova and her siblings ‘Christmas’ morning.
Pictured: Noah and his new gaming system.
Pictured: Sweet Anna is waiting for her Dream to come true.