As a new oncology social worker, I had to learn too quickly about the many challenges that advanced stage cancer patients face throughout the duration of their disease. In my position at Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Newnan, Georgia, I envisioned work days filled with providing the “Mother Standard of Care” to all patients who walked into our center. I planned on delivering cheer, reciting stories of hope, faith, encouragement and comfort while also providing practical support.

Three weeks into my position I sat with our team oncologist, Dr. Brion Randolph, to inform a young woman that she had less than three months to live. I sat in the clinic room like a deer in headlights—bewildered, angry and confused—afraid to make eye contact with this young patient as Dr. Randolph delivered the dreadful life-altering news. I sat back and watched as he spoke words of comfort while reassuring and confirming that her 35 years of life would end in the upcoming weeks. “It is time to get things in order,” he prophetically uttered. My out of body experience had to end abruptly; I was finally able to find the courage to look up, hold back the tears and regain my composure to support the patient and my colleague.

Since being in this position I have had the privilege of being in the room with Dr. Randolph on more than one of these occasions. It never gets easy but it’s always an honor being present and fully engaged in helping our patients navigate and prepare for the end of their journey. As social workers, we often think only of practical resources to alleviate the stress faced by our patients and their families. We quickly spring into action to complete financial and grant applications, referrals to co-pay assistance programs, a cleaning company to help a breast cancer patient, lunch vouchers or gas cards.

But what about the patients who are at the end of their cancer journey? What if any assistance are we quick to offer? Wish-fulfillment organizations can be a great addition to add to our resource repertoire for terminally ill patients and their families. These organizations allow patients with advanced diseases to have their dreams and wishes come true. Whether big or small, patients can fulfill a lifelong dream, creating lasting meaningful memories that their families will cherish forever.

The Dream Foundation is an organization that I have utilized frequently for some of our terminal patients. On the foundation’s website, a candid question asks, “If you had one year to live … what would your dream be”? For more than 20 years the foundation has worked with various health care organizations, including hospice agencies, to provide closure to patients and their families during one of the most critical times of their lives. There are four applications that your patients may be eligible for: a General Application, Dreams for Myeloma Application, Veterans Application and a Hospice Application. To be eligible, all applicants must live in the in the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii, be at least 18 years old, diagnosed with a life-limiting illness with a life expectancy of 12 months or less and lack the resources to fulfill the dream themselves. The website is quite easy to navigate and offers a Spanish Application that can be printed or completed online. Applicants are required to include a photograph, personal letter and financial information (recent tax return).

I have informed patients about the organization and program requirements, printed the paper application, took the photograph and got their treating oncologist’s signature to verify the terminal diagnosis. No dream is too big or small. Dreams can be as simple as paying a utility or medical bill to relieve financial stress, creating a happy memory or meeting a personal hero. The dream can be any request that provides support and compassion. The foundation may allow one-way travel to countries outside of the U.S. for patients who wish to die at home and consider travel to other U.S. territories on a case-by-case basis.

The dreams that were granted to our patients included a patient’s wish to go to the beach with her family and granddaughter. Another included a grandfather who wanted to meet his grandchildren in Colorado for the first and last time. One patient’s dying wish was to go to a Disney theme park one final time with his children and his only granddaughter. All these priceless moments were made possible by the Dream Foundation.

There will be times when patients succumb to their illness before the dream can be granted. These moments can be difficult for the social worker and for the patients’ family. In those moments, I have found solace in knowing I worked tirelessly for the patient until the end. The surviving families are always grateful for the social workers’ efforts in supporting and facilitating the last wish of their loved one.

Whose dream will you make a reality today? Learn more about the Dream Foundation.