Dream Foundation is the only national dream-granting organization for terminally ill adults. The organization has served more than 34,000 final Dreams since its inception in 1994, and receives no state or federal funding, relying solely on private donations. Dream Foundation created Dreams for Veterans in 2014 to tailor the Dream experience to Veterans, service members and their families. The program acknowledges these groups and honors their service by fulfilling their final Dream, providing them, their families and caregivers inspiration, comfort and closure at the end of life.
Dream recipients live in the United States, including Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. They are Veterans, active service members or members of the Reserve and National Guard. They are 18 years of age or older, have been diagnosed with a life-limiting illness with a life expectancy of 12 months or less, can provide proof of U.S. military service and lack the resources to fulfill a Dream themselves.
Potential recipients can apply online or download an application from www.dreamsforveterans.org. Email or mail the application directly to Dream Foundation’s office at 1528 Chapala Street, Suite 304, Santa Barbara, California 93101.
The application process is simple and can be done relatively quickly. Please read the FAQs before filling out the application because there are guidelines and exclusions. Every potential recipient must provide a photo and a letter describing the Dream, its importance and where the most help is needed to fulfill the Dream. They must also provide proof of annual income in the form of a recent tax return, SSI or a disability or bank statement, plus a completed and signed Dream agreement including medical verification to be completed by a treating physician or hospice representative, a completed and signed HIPPA form and proof of military service. Incomplete applications will be denied.
Dream Foundation receives hundreds of Dreams for Veterans requests from across the country and reviews each application as quickly as possible. It takes about three weeks to process each application before the verification process can begin. Verification can take anywhere from a few days to several months, depending on the response time of the medical team/doctor. Once verified, a Dream can come together in a few days or several weeks. Please allow three weeks for air travel. Emergency Dream requests (life expectancy less than two months) are processed the day received and verified as soon as possible.
There are limitations on travel for emergency requests, and they cannot be for a celebrity interaction. Please note that Dream requests cannot be rushed for reasons other than medical necessity.
Dreams vary greatly from person to person and can be as simple as requesting an iPad to connect with loved ones from afar or as large as a family vacation to create lasting and final memories. However, Dreams that Veterans and service women and men request can be profoundly different, and many Dreams reflect aspects of their military service. Dream Foundation’s staff and the members of its Dreams for Veterans Advisory Council, who are part of the military community, work diligently to honor these special and unique Dreams. Dream Foundation and its Dreams for Veterans program is in the business of celebrating life. The end should be as beautiful as its beginning.
Applications are available in Spanish. If you have questions about Dreams for Veterans or the application process, please email info@dreamsforveterans.org or call 805-564-2131.
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help for an old veteran
help for an old veteran
Personal monetary contributions to this program would be a beautiful way in which to honor/memorialize our veteran friends. It would have been good to include info on contributing financially to this cause.
Thank you so much VA for sharing this precious news article for our living and breathing Veterans, who have given their precious life and service to this great nation. My heart goes out to them and others who have given their daily lives, both living and deceased for our freedom. Again, thank you VA!
Wish I had know when my husband was dying but he hank you for your work. ??
Terminal but the VA gives me an average of 5yrs. That’s my dream.
I will be praying for you that Jesus gives you 5+ years. I have hope!
I will be praying for you also. Keep fighting You’re not alone!
Thirty seven years ago my husband, who is also terminal, was told by the Army that he had less than a year to live. Then again, in 2015-2016, he was sent home from the hospital and put on Hospice, being told he had two weeks to live. We were preparing for his funeral service when our church elders came over and prayed for and annointed him. God apparently isn’t finished with him yet because he is still with us today, alive and kicking! He said to never let doctors put a time limit on your life because the only one who knows for sure when your time to go is the One who gave you life to begin with! Hang in there and know that we are praying for you to be blessed until God calls you Home!