A Beacon of Hope

Post date: December 14, 2022

By Peter Wolff

In 2011 the cancer foundation known as David’s Dream and Believe was established. The organization assists people who have contracted cancer and need help covering their medical and living expenses. Over the 11 year period, the non-profit organization has been able to help over 2,000 families and has donated 2.2 million dollars to those in need. It all started with a dream.

In 2010, David was diagnosed with stage 4 head and neck cancer. While recovering from the disease, David was greatly appreciative of all the support and kind wishes he had been receiving throughout his treatment. When he was eventually cured of his cancer, he wished to support others as they had supported him throughout his battle with cancer. In order to raise money which could help cancer survivors that were in need of financial aid, David started a website which would be used to accept donations. From the website, the donations would be delivered to those that required support in paying their bills. “We are grateful for the continued support from our volunteers, generous donors and mission of hope partners who afford us the opportunity to provide hope to families in our community affected by a cancer diagnosis,” explains David. It’s the motivation and support gifted by others that provides hope. Hope of better health, of better days, of being a cancer survivor.

While donating is one of the ways that the organization assists those in need of comfort and financial aid, there are other ways to provide assistance to the charity foundation. Students at Southern Regional are given the option to join the David’s Dream and Believe Club which creates cards for those that are ill with cancer and need a little extra motivation. Steve, the head of the David’s Dream and Believe Club, is responsible for planning who the cards are to be addressed to and what the patient’s favorite past times were when they were out of the hospital. This allows the students to form a personalized letter that reminds the recipient that their health and well being is in the student’s minds. “I really enjoy working with our SRHS & SRMS students. Our meetings always have a big turnout. We’ll take plain paper, colored markers and pencils and create a get well card. The students will probably never meet the patients they are making a card for, but there is an instant and lasting connection. In time, the Foundation will receive a “Thank you” card or call from the patient and they are overcome with gratitude. Imagine receiving 30-40 from strangers telling you to “stay strong”. I know for a fact that some patients keep these cards for years and often read them time and time again. It’s all very simple, but the impact is unmeasurable,” details Steve. While the students will often never get to meet the people on the other end of the card they are writing, the recipient is provided hope and that is all that truly matters.

The cancer organization, David’s Dream and Believe has not just touched the student’s who design get well soon cards and the patients who are on the receiving assistance of the charity’s generosity, but it has also touched the teachers that help run the club in one way or another. Whether it be the pride of helping cancer patients in need or a connection that occurs on a personal level, the foundation really is changing lives for the better. “I am so honored to be a part of this amazing club because it not only helps local families in their time of need, but it also teaches empathy and kindness to the students of Southern Regional Middle School. Every year I'm amazed and proud of how our students embrace these characteristics with open arms,” describes Mrs. Reynolds who is in charge of running the middle school’s club. The new co-advisor, Mrs. Chencharick describes her excitement towards being involved in the organization. “I'm so excited to be a part of David's Dream and Believe this year as one of the new co-advisors. We hope to help as many families as we can while giving our club members the opportunity to help make a difference.” Mrs. Hartmann, the other co-advisor of the organization, elaborates on how the organization assists cancer patients and the positive impact it has on them. “So many of us have been touched in some way by cancer, and being lucky enough to be part of such a wonderful organization is truly an honor. I feel by being a co-advisor we get the opportunity to share the mission with more students and allow them the chance to be creative in exploring different ways to support cancer patients and their families and spread the word about such a wonderful charity.” All of these quotes allow insight toward the true meaning of the organization. It is to provide hope. To provide motivation. To provide belief in a better tomorrow for cancer survivors and to take their worries off of the outside world so they can focus on making a swift and speedy recovery.