Children facing life-threatening illnesses find hope and joy when their long-held wishes come true.

The Reach For A Dream Foundation observed World Dream Day on September 25, encouraging individuals, communities, and organisations to declare, share, and activate their dreams.

This year’s theme, Dream the new, aligned closely with the foundation’s purpose of fulfilling new dreams every day.

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Reach For A Dream CEO Julia Sotirianakos said since its inception in 1988, the non-profit organisation has made more than 30 000 dreams come true for children facing life-threatening illnesses. “These range from children meeting their personal heroes and owning something they’ve always dreamed of to trying a new experience or going someplace they’ve never been,” she said.

She added that fulfilled dreams give the children and their families hope to continue believing in a brighter tomorrow. Sotirianakos listed reasons why making the children’s dreams come true matters:

• Dreams bring joy: A child’s reaction when their dream comes true is a moment they will remember for years to come. Receiving something they have always dreamed of owning can bring them a palpable sense of joy, which is Reach For A Dream’s driving force. The pure joy on children’s faces when their dreams become reality brings joy not only to a child, but their entire family.

• Dreams increase confidence: Children facing life-threatening illnesses spend most of their time receiving treatment in hospitals or recovering at home. Much of their childhood is spent away from their peers. When their dreams are fulfilled, they are reminded that their illness is not their whole story.

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• Parents report that their children are livelier and have a more positive outlook on their lives post their dream day experiences. These are often described as some of the best days of their lives, giving them a chance to simply be children again.

• Heightened motivation for treatment: When receiving treatment for their life-threatening illnesses, children tend to be in a sombre mood, shying away from the often painful and strenuous processes.

• Medical professionals working with the foundation confirm that when children’s dreams come true, they are more receptive to treatment days. Dreams allow children to see medical professionals as people who are there to help them instead of hurting them.

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• Dreams alleviate familial pressure: Reach For A Dream’s involvement in paediatric healthcare contributes meaningfully to emotional well-being, resilience, and family relationships. When dreams come true, families bond over the special moment, creating memories that they think of when times are tough.

• Dreams can come true for everyone: Sotirianakos said, on average, Reach For A Dream fulfils six dreams a day. Through public support and fundraising initiatives such as the Dream Raffle, the foundation aims to raise funds towards fulfilling seven dreams a day for children across South Africa.

For more information on Reach For A Dream, visit the foundation’s website at www.reachforadream.org.za.

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