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Danya has downs syndrom as well as life-threatening congestive heart failure. Make-a-Wish referred her mom to us due to Danya's age. Her dream was to meet Tim McGraw and Brad Paisley at the Grand Ole Opry. We were able to grant her wish in two parts...both country music ledgends were in town, but schedules would not allow them both to be in the same place at the same time.
Danya, accompanied by two family members, were brought to The Hard Rock Cafe via Signature Limo Service. She was given the royal treatment and VIP gifts from Hard Rock Cafe and after lunch, it was on to meet Dierks Bentley and Tim McGraw at the Dierks Bentley Miles & Music III concert. When the flashes from three different cameras kept going off, Dierks called Danya "Miss Hollywood". That nick-name has stuck with her ever since. After the meet and greet and listening to the concert, everyone headed over to the Wild Horse Saloon where Danya received a wonderful gift bag full of goodies, enjoyed the service and food and had her picture taken with the horse. We would like to thank the management teams for our meet and greet and the two restaurant managers for making Danya's day extra special!
Part two of Dayna's dream took place the following week when she a guest of the Courtyard on Music Circle. GM, Carolyn, ensured the family's stay was comfortable and she also presented Dayna with a basket of goodies. A limo took the family to the Grand Ole Opry where they were given a back-stage tour, souvenirs and VIP seating. After the show, Dayna met Brad Paisley and given a pink cowboy hat that really made her smile. Dayna's family was so appreciative, that they started a "Penny Drive" in their home town. We wish to thank them for their support to help others.
Gordon's sister wanted to do something special for her brother, a 47 year old husband and father of two children, who was losing his battle with cancer. His favorite team - the New England Patriots.
Because Gordon was in hospice care, a trip was not possible. The New England Patriots' Organization, however, was kind enough to send a package of goods to Gordon at home, including several autographed items that he could leave to his children. We had pizza and all the trimings delivered to the house for the kids to enjoy (and so that mom would not have to cook dinner) allowing the family to enjoy the moment. Flowers were also delivered to Gordon's wife.
Everything arrived on Tuesday, September 30th - on Sat. Oct. 4, we received the following e-mail message from Gordon's sister:
"...Gordon received everything on Tuesday and was so very happy. They spent the night eating pizza and talking about the Patriots and the goodies he got. When I talked to him I could hear the joy in his voice. Gordon passed away yesterday morning surrounded by all of us who loved him. I can't tell you how grateful I am to you that you granted the wish that allowed him to be happy the last days of his life. The children will now have something that they shared with him and will keep forever. It is a sad occasion for our family, but knowing he died happy is what we cling to..."
Cirin's friend called to say that Cirin just wanted to spend one night at Opryland Hotel to savor the gardens and fountains. She had tongue cancer previously that required the removal of her tongue. The cancer was now back and terminal. Cirin now has a feeding tube and uses a wheelchair for mobility.
Cirin lived within driving distance, so we had her and her caretaker picked up in a beautiful white stretch limo courtesy of Celebrity Limos. Cirin was greeted by Granting Dreams staff at Opryland Hotel to present her with a wonderful floral and balloon arrangement donated by Dick's Florist. Opryland Hotel arranged for a fabulous terrace garden room with room service for Cirin's caretaker. We also wanted to do something extra, so we arranged for Cirin to have her own mini garden and fountain for her room at home. The fountain was donated by Target and plants by Lowe's.
Cirin passed away the third week of October, however, before leaving this life, she had a message relayed that she was very thankful for her wish and that it brought her much joy. She stated that she was thankful for the Granting Dreams Foundation and what they did to help her.
Kathy S. age 46, of Bonnie Lake, WA just wanted to get back home (TX) to be surrounded by family when she died. She had six pets and personal belongings that needed to take the trip as well. Kathy wanted to be sure that her "fury family" would be well taken care of by family when she became to ill to take care of them herself.
Kathy's trip would prove to be challenging at first as we had to arrange a flight for her and six pets and then separately arrange shipment of her personal belongings 1,600 miles to TX. Alaskan Airlines worked diligently to ensure we could get Kathy and her six pets on a non-stop flight from WA to Dallas, TX. Petco Foundation donated the cost of airline approved carriers, and necessary accessories for the safe transport of six pets. However, special thanks goes to ABF U-Pack Moving for their help in transporting Kathy's personal belongings from WA to San Antonio, TX (closest hub in TX). From there, Two Men in a Truck (San Antonio, TX) picked up her belongings and delivered them right to her home in Victoria, TX.
Kathy is seen below in an earlier photo and the second photo shows Kathy when reunited with her grandchild!
Todd F. is a 40-year old from North Port, FL who has a brain tumor. His wife, Cathy, stated that Todd is a diehard Red sox fan and requested to see a game at Fenway and possibly meet some of the players or announcers.
When the Granting Dreams Foundation heard that Cathy and Todd were going to be visiting family only an hour away, they put together a memorable day and evening for Todd's dream. First, they were guests of the luxurious Hotel Commonwealth in Boston. While waiting for Fenway to open, they were treated to a very special dinner at Maggiano's Italian Restaurant. Thanks to the Boston Red Sox Organization, Todd and Cathy were allowed on the field during batting practice to meet and greet the players. They also had tickets to the game behind home plate. Based on Todd's smile in some of these photos, I would say this dream scored a home-run!
 Todd at Red Sox Stadium holding sign  On field getting autograph
Melissa C. is a 27 year old from Dayton, Ohio who has suffered from cancer since she was 18. She first lost her foot and then leg to the disease before it returned again to her lungs. A close friend asked if we could do something nice for Melissa in the travel area as she has not traveled much in her lifetime.
The Granting Dreams Foundation sent Melissa and
her sister to Las Vegas where they stayed at the fabulous Planet Hollywood hotel. They were given tickets by Base Entertainment to the show STOMP. Also, with the help of Papillon Helicopter Tours, Melissa and her sister were given a tour of the Grand Cannon and Hoover Dam. Limo service was provided by Bell Transportation Services. Melissa said: "It was an experience of a life-time" and she was so glad she could share this special time with her sister.
Melissa (center/front) with her sister, Catherine, shown back stage
with the cast of "STOMP."
Amber W. - A 25 year old from Colfax, Iowa, suffers from a rare form of Ovarian Cancer called Sertoli Laydig. Her kidneys were starting to fail and she had to leave her job. A friend contacted us to state that
her wish was simply to have a laptop computer so she could communicate with her family in Oklahoma as well as former co-workers and fri ends.
With the help of local businesses, The Granting Dreams Foundation put together a nice package for Amber. It started with a limo ride courtesy of Rod Allbee of Allbee's Old Market Limousine Service. Amber was driven to Wal-Mart where store manager, Michele Hook, and staff greeted and presented Amber with balloons and our gift...a laptop computer! Amber was also presented with flowers from Hy-vee and a certificate from MediaCom for 6 months of free internet service. Amber and her friends were then treated to a nice dinner courtesy of Outback Steakhouse. Amber stated that she was really shocked. She stated: "It is a good thing anytime you can take your mind off all you're going through. I am really thankful that there are people out there who care about people who are facing something like this and do as much as they can to help bring a smile to your face."
Our special thanks to Newton Daily News for covering the story.
  Amber receiving free internet service courtesy Amber(far rt.) shown w/Wal-Mart store manager and staff receiving computer
of MEDIACOM
Bradenton, FL: Kelly M., a 36 year old mom of a young child, had advanced stages of ovarian cancer. Her wish was simple - a stay at a cottage on the beach so she could hear the waves crashing and the birds singing.
Those who helped:
Island/Bradenton, FL Businesses: Anna Marie Island Coastal Rentals, The Chop Shop, local florist owner who wishes to stay anonymous.
Corporate Partner: Land's End who was instrumental in getting an embroidered lap throw in three days when normal turnaround is 2 wks.
The MJS Granting Dreams Foundation was able to grant Kelly's wish and then some. A week stay right on the tip of the island in a cottage with a view! Her family also received meats to grill, a beautiful tropical floral arrangement and she received a Land's End canvas tote containing a quality cotton throw embroidered with the Granting Dreams 'dove' as well as a digital camera to record her dream, a leather photo album to store their memories, and through the kindness of several individuals, a large gift bag of goodies that any 5 year old would relish.
 
Picture on left: Kelly enjoys the every-changing view of the skyline and ocean. Picture to right: Kelly holding her new throw.
Read Kelly's Letter: (presented as written)
Permission to release the following letter was given
I was recently introduced to a foundation whose goal is to grant dreams or wishes for terminally ill adult patients, and I am one.
A friend of my mother called one day to tell her that she knew another friend who just started a foundation. She urged my mother to call her to make a dream of mine come true. I had already decided on one dream which leads me here - to my dream of a house on the beach where I could hear the waves crashing and the birds singing.
It was really more than I expected. I have done a lot of fishing and I caught the most fish. I have also done a lot of crying; trying to come to grips with my situation. Thanks to Granting Dreams, I have been given something I would have never been able to do.
Really and truly, I am grateful and thankful that Granting Dreams has come into my life. I feel lucky; they have saved me in a way. Also, I am even more proud to know that I was their first granted dream.
Lastly, I would like to say to the owner and creator of the foundation, your husband would be delighted and he is smiling down on you right now from heaven.
I hope that with the help of friends and strangers that you can grant a million more dreams!
Thank you for my dream, Kelly M.
Written 9/27/07
Note: Kelly passed away just two short weeks after writting this letter.
Kelly has challenged us to grant a million more dreams...you can make a difference! click here to Sponsor
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