Dreams Come True
Phyllis SchraderBurlington, NJ
Phyllis is a 61 year old woman with lung Cancer, Phyllis' cancer has advanced to the point where she can no longer walk and is also experiencing sporadic aphasia. Phyllis would like to have one last road trip with her lovely daughter, also named Phyllis. Since she loves beautiful homes and mansions, a trip to Rhode Island and tours of the elegant mansions were on the top of her list. Samaritan Hospice coordinated her dream request with the Dream Foundation and proceeds from Angel Ball 2005 and they had a truly memorable weekend!
Diane Mello
Turnersville, NJ
Diane is a 22 year-old patient of Samaritan Hospice diagnosed with Malignant Melanoma. Diane's sudden illness occurred during her pregnancy and has placed considerable stress upon the family. Diane's dream was to see her seven month old daughter, Angel, receive the sacrament of Baptism. Samaritan Social Worker, Kristen Degnan, facilitated the Dream request on behalf of Diane and her family. A Samaritan Chaplain performed the service with accompaniment from Samaritan's music therapist, Brooke Carroll. The Dream Foundation provided the food, decorations, and special garments for the special occasion. A special memory box was created for Angel and Diane was able to savor this precious occasion. For in her heart Diane knew all at once she was witnessing Angel's baptism, confirmation, wedding and many other milestones which a mother should never miss. Diane's family was overwhelmed by the generosity of the Dream Foundation and the loving spirit of Samaritan's care team. Diane has touched all of us and will be in our hearts forever.
Turnersville, NJ
Diane is a 22 year-old patient of Samaritan Hospice diagnosed with Malignant Melanoma. Diane's sudden illness occurred during her pregnancy and has placed considerable stress upon the family. Diane's dream was to see her seven month old daughter, Angel, receive the sacrament of Baptism. Samaritan Social Worker, Kristen Degnan, facilitated the Dream request on behalf of Diane and her family. A Samaritan Chaplain performed the service with accompaniment from Samaritan's music therapist, Brooke Carroll. The Dream Foundation provided the food, decorations, and special garments for the special occasion. A special memory box was created for Angel and Diane was able to savor this precious occasion. For in her heart Diane knew all at once she was witnessing Angel's baptism, confirmation, wedding and many other milestones which a mother should never miss. Diane's family was overwhelmed by the generosity of the Dream Foundation and the loving spirit of Samaritan's care team. Diane has touched all of us and will be in our hearts forever.
Margaret MartinezEastampton, NJ
Margaret is a 56-year old woman diagnosed with glioblastoma. She has two daughters who both live out of state. Her disease has progressed to the point where she is having seizures and suffering from expressive aphasia, making it unsafe for her to live alone any longer. Margaret's dream is to move to Colorado Springs to spend her remaining time with her daughter, Shawn. Her daughter Shawn will travel to NJ to assist Margaret with completing her affairs in NJ. The Dream Foundation has generously prepared flight arrangements and ground transportation so that Margaret can move to Colorado and Shawn can accompany her mother on the trip. Samaritan Hospice has coordinated hospice care for Margaret in Colorado where she can live out her final days with family nearby. This would have never been possible without the support of the Dream Foundation!
John GormanPennsauken, NJ
John, now 25 years old was born with Down Syndrome and recently diagnosed with Lymphoma when he contacted the Dream Foundation. He has always been a huge fan of Elvis Presley often dressing up to perform for friends and family. He came to us with a dream of receiving Elvis memorabilia to help make his days a little brighter, especially when going into the hospital for treatments. With the help of our amazing Ambassador Priscilla Presley we were able to send JJ the most amazing care package. It included a snow globe with blue suede shoes inside, an Elvis velour blanket and pillow, an Elvis poster, a die cast NASCAR car with Elvis image and an Elvis night light. The most amazing part of his care package was the autographed photo of Priscilla with a note written to JJ. JJ was in tears when he opened up his package and held up Priscilla’s photo and said thank you, thank you over and over. He now tells everyone that Priscilla is his girlfriend and that he would like to take her out to dinner. His family called us after JJ received his gifts and wanted us to know that they are the force helping JJ continue fighting for his life.
Lemuel "Lenny" MaloneGlassboro, NJ
Lenny, 50 years old is mentally handicapped; he has been diagnosed with Lymphoma and has lived a very difficult life. His lifelong dream had always been to take a trip to Walt Disney World. Lenny had been saving $10 a month to try and make his dream happen, but when his caregivers realized that his life expectancy was very short they knew he would not be able to save in time to go before he died. We helped Lenny make his dream come true by sending him to Florida for his Disney dream. He was so excited when he returned and called to let us know that he was able to meet all of the characters that he loves and was so thankful to be able to go.
Elder Bryant
Lawnside, NJ
Mr. Bryant was spending his nights trying to sleep in a wicker chair, because his apartment was very small and couldn’t accommodate a hospital bed. Mr. Bryant was in so much pain and very short of breath; he requested a reclining lift chair but didn’t have the finances to purchase one himself. Samaritan Hospice social worker, Barbara Polatnick, submitted a request to the Dream Foundation, within 24 hours Mr. Bryant was resting in his new chair! After receiving his chair from the Dream Foundation Mr. Bryant told Nancy Sommer, “I feel like I am in heaven already. I haven’t slept this good in years.” Mr. Bryant passed peacefully in his recliner chair under the care of Samaritan Hospice.
“I feel like I am in heaven already. I haven’t slept this good in years.”
Lawnside, NJ
Mr. Bryant was spending his nights trying to sleep in a wicker chair, because his apartment was very small and couldn’t accommodate a hospital bed. Mr. Bryant was in so much pain and very short of breath; he requested a reclining lift chair but didn’t have the finances to purchase one himself. Samaritan Hospice social worker, Barbara Polatnick, submitted a request to the Dream Foundation, within 24 hours Mr. Bryant was resting in his new chair! After receiving his chair from the Dream Foundation Mr. Bryant told Nancy Sommer, “I feel like I am in heaven already. I haven’t slept this good in years.” Mr. Bryant passed peacefully in his recliner chair under the care of Samaritan Hospice.
“I feel like I am in heaven already. I haven’t slept this good in years.”
