October 12, 2018
APPLETON MOTHER WITH CANCER SURPRISED BY “DREAM FOUNDATION”
Family receiving a trip to Disney World
Sarah, a 34-year-old mother from Appleton who was diagnosed with brain cancer, has a dream. It is to see her five-year-old daughter enjoy the magic of Walt Disney World.
Sarah will now have that wish granted through the Dream Foundation. The organization serves terminally-ill adults and their families by providing end-of-life dreams that offer inspiration, comfort and closure.
On Friday, Oct. 12, representatives on behalf of the Dream Foundation, Genentech, ThedaCare Regional Cancer Center and Sarah’s family surprised her with details about her upcoming trip to Disney World.
When asked how she felt after receiving the trip, Sarah said, “Just thrilled. Speechless, happy. I just know she’ll love it. She’s been asking to go for a long time.”
Along with airline tickets and park passes, the family was given other items for their trip, including spending cash and Disney items for her daughter, such as toys and trading pins to use at the park. There was also a small celebration with balloons and cake.
“It’s so humbling to take part in something like this,” said Dr. Anthony Phillips, who specializes in hematology and oncology at ThedaCare Regional Cancer Center. “To know that we can bring a little joy to our patients, someone as special as Sarah, is wonderful.”
The family will be taking their trip soon.
About The Dream Foundation
The Dream Foundation serves terminally-ill adults and their families by providing end-of-life Dreams that offer inspiration, comfort and closure. With the support of a nationwide network of volunteers, hospices, health care organizations and committed donors, the Dream Foundation has given life to more than 30,000 Dreams over the past two decades. For more information, click here.
About ThedaCare
For more than 100 years, ThedaCare® has been committed to finding a better way to deliver serious and complex healthcare to patients throughout Northeast and Central Wisconsin. The organization serves over 200,000 patients annually and employs more than 6,700 healthcare professionals throughout the regions. ThedaCare has seven hospitals located in Appleton, Neenah, Berlin, Waupaca, Shawano, New London and Wild Rose as well as 31 clinics in nine counties. ThedaCare is the first in Wisconsin to be a Mayo Clinic Care Network Member, giving our specialists the ability to consult with Mayo Clinic experts on a patient’s care. ThedaCare is a non-profit healthcare organization with a level II trauma center, comprehensive cancer treatment, stroke and cardiac programs as well as a foundation dedicated to community service.
For more information, visit www.thedacare.org or follow ThedaCare on Facebook and Twitter.
Media should call Cassandra Wallace, Public Relations Specialist at 920.830.5847 or the ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah switchboard at 920.729.3100 and ask for the marketing person on call.
