“The playground has brought endless joy to Shira and her brother Sammy. It has become a focal point for play with neighbourhood children as well as Sammy’s school friends and Shira’s friends. This means we have children in our yard very often which is such an important part of delivering a high quality of life to Shira. Because the playground is outside we don’t worry about colds and flus as much for Shira.”
Shira's Dad
“HFAD means so much more to our family than just the generous financial aid for Nicole's Lyme disease treatment in the U.S. The encouraging emails, phone calls and emotional support brought us extraordinary comfort during a very difficult time, thousands of miles away from Vancouver Island. “
Nicole's Mom
“My daughter Ella was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumour in Sept 2007, just before her 4th Birthday. We had to relocate to Vancouver immediately for the course of Ella’s treatment which was to be about 8 months. My daughter had brain surgery in which they were able to remove 99% of the tumour which was amazing news. Ella still had to go through chemotherapy and radiation. The shock of the news about our daughter plus the stress of uprooting our family was a lot to take on all at once. Help Fill A Dream helped with this transition by providing emergency funds to help us with travel expenses for my husband to come back and forth to Vancouver so he could continue working. In addition to the funds, HFAD gave Ella a dream and Ella dreamed of a fairy garden. The tremendous effort and love that went into this project was amazing. Ella got to see her very own garden being built before her eyes. The garden will always be a special place for Ella. It is a gift that keeps on giving.
Help Fill A Dream put a smile on Ella’s face and her garden continues to be a healing place for all of us. We feel so blessed to have been surrounded by such a loving and caring community. Thank-you Help Fill A Dream for your continued love and support. ”
Ella's Mom
“HFAD is helpful to me in my goal to support families. HFAD provides funding for parents who have a child with life threatening illnesses such as cystic fibrosis, congenital heart malformations, cancer, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, and other complex care conditions that are progressive in nature. The funding is used to support families who must travel to Victoria General Hospital from other areas of Vancouver Island, or to Children’s Hospital in Vancouver. The funding helps to cover meals, costs incurred from travel, and accommodation when a child requires surgery, treatments or specialized medical care. In many of these families either one or both parents must take time off from work or even leave their position permanently in order to care for their child with life threatening illness. The support that Help Fill a Dream provides to me to enable me to support my families, is simply immeasurable. Thanks Help Fill a Dream!“
Janette, Social Worker, Victoria General Hospital
“It was great to leave all of the doctors, hospitals, worries and stress at home and just enjoy our time together as a family.”
Joel's Mom
"I would like to thank you, for all the wonderful experience you bring to children, and their families. Two years ago, you sent my brother, Joel Dorval and my family on a vacation of a life time.
When Joel became sick with leukemia, all he wanted to do when he was in the hospital was to go camping. With the help of your organization, that happened for him. Any sick child would be lucky to go on such an amazing experience like the one we had. We enjoyed seeing all the wonders that a road trip in Canada can bring you on. We stopped at so many great campgrounds on our way to the West Edmonton Mall. The trip that my family and I were sent on was an extremely memorable experience.
Thank you for making my brother's dream come true, and taking the time to read my letter."
excerpt taken from letter sent to HFAD written by Joel's sister, Kaylee.