More than 30,000 dreams have been fulfilled for children facing life-threatening illnesses since the Reach For A Dream Foundation began its work in 1988.
Celebrating its 38th birthday at the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital, the Foundation marked almost four decades of creating moments of joy, hope and possibility for children and their families during difficult medical journeys.
Since its establishment, Reach For A Dream has fulfilled dreams ranging from children meeting their personal heroes to receiving something they have always wished to own.
The organisation’s impact was brought to life during the birthday celebration through the story of the hospital’s CEO, Dr Nkuli Boikhutso, who was herself a Reach For A Dream recipient in 1997 while undergoing treatment for cancer.
“This day is important for me because in 1997, I was a recipient of a dream from Reach For A Dream. I was more than a cancer patient, they gave me a new perspective of life. My dream come true gave me hope and today, I’m the CEO of a children’s hospital,” Boikhutso said.
Her journey from childhood cancer patient and dream recipient to the CEO of a children’s hospital provided a powerful reflection of the long-term impact that hope can have in the life of a child.
“Thank you for choosing us to celebrate your birthday, congratulations on 38 years of making sure kids’ dreams come true,” Boikhutso added.
Reach For A Dream CEO Julia Sotirianakos said the organisation’s 38-year journey has been made possible through the support of hospitals, staff members, volunteers and partners across South Africa.
“We are almost four decades old, we couldn’t have done it without the love and support of all our hospitals, staff, and volunteers across the country. We do this because of our beautiful children and every day, we are reminded of our purpose,” Sotirianakos said.
The birthday celebration brought together children, families, hospital staff and supporters for a day focused on fun and shared experiences.
Attendees enjoyed magic performances from Laughter Heroes, Uncle Black Jack, Themba Mathabela and Siya Makhubu. The programme also included face painting, a cake-cutting ceremony, doughnut decorating and lunch.
While the celebration recognised the milestone of more than 30,000 dreams fulfilled, the organisation continues its work every day across the country.
Reach For A Dream currently fulfils seven dreams each day, creating individual experiences for children facing serious illnesses.
Each dream is different, reflecting the personality, interests and wishes of the child behind it. Together, the more than 30,000 dreams represent thousands of moments in which children and families have been given something positive to anticipate and remember during challenging periods.
The Foundation’s work demonstrates that supporting a child through serious illness extends beyond medical treatment alone. Moments of excitement, imagination and joy can help children reconnect with the experiences of childhood while creating memories for their families.
After 38 years, Reach For A Dream continues to build on a legacy that began with a simple purpose: giving children facing life-threatening illnesses the opportunity to experience their dreams.
With seven dreams being fulfilled every day, the next chapter of the Foundation’s work is already being written by children across South Africa.
