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The Mission:
To grant tomorrow's dreams today for those 19 and older who have a life-threatening medical condition.
The MJS Final Dreams Foundation was incorporated in 2007 as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Our offices were established in Hermitage, TN in January 2008. Our EIN # is: 26-0438983.
The Need:
The need is great!
- According to the American Cancer Society, there are expected to be 559,650 terminal cancer patients in 2007. The majority will be older adults.
- There are only two national organizations that grant wishes for those 19 and older - we are one of them.
The Story:
After working many years for a non-profit organization, I was very familiar with how wonderful it was to be responsible for hope and change in people's lives.
In 2005. my husband was diagnosed with colon cancer. In November of 2006, we were planning an out-of-state trip to spend Thanksgiving with grandchildren. We never made it...he was transported via ambulance from the airport screening area to a local hospital. Nine days and many tests later, it was discovered that the cancer was back, had spread to the liver, and was terminal.
Baseball was a way of life for Mario since he saw his first NY Yankee game at the age of eight. He had followed "his team" ever since. In April of 2007, thanks to a wonderful individual, I was given two great tickets at the stadium where the NY Yankees were playing the locals. In my heart I knew time was short and treatments were draining. He was using a walker at this time, so I hired a limo to transport us. This would allow me time to hold his hand and talk with with him during the hour trip. I tried, without success, to have his picture taken with a baseball player, or to get clearance so that he could greet a few players before or after the game. I felt that had I been part of a dream-granting organization, I would have been successful. I contacted the Make-A-Wish Foundation only to be informed that they serve those who are 18 or younger. They were unable to recommend an organization that could help.
One month later, my husband of 29 years passed away; it was the last baseball game he was able to attend. I never could grant his dream, but I was determined to ensure others could get theirs. I knew how much it would have meant, not only to him, but to me as well. It would have been the final most loving thing I could have given him.
He never knew what I was trying to do. It would have been too disappointing to him if he had known and I was not able to deliver. It was a turning point for me - I was adamant about helping others. The MJS Granting Dreams Foundation is a legacy to a wonderful man named Mario J. Sylvester, a loving husband, father, and grandfather; a man who enjoyed laughing and who loved to bring laughter to others. He volunteered with many organizations always bringing joy and happiness to others.
There are many who will be touched somehow by cancer and other deadly diseases. It might be a co-worker, a neighbor, a young adult child, a parent, spouse, or grandparent. These are people that all have a face, a name, a dream...a dream they held for later...someday, I would love to...
Join us now to "Grant tomorrow's dreams today" .
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