Join Us for The Dream Ride 2023 on July 8!
At The Dream Factory, our mission is clear: to make dreams come true for kids in Manitoba battling life-threatening illnesses and to be a source of joy, laughter and hope for kids and families in our province going through an incredibly difficult experience.
We rely solely on the generous support of people and businesses in our community to continue bringing dreams to life. That is why we are hosting 'Dream Ride 2023'. To help make Dreams come true for kids in our community going through some really tough stuff.
This year - once again - Dream Ride will be supporting TWO magnificent Dream Kids.
We can't wait to make Dreams come true again this year and we hope you will join us in bringing these Dreams to life!
Ride or walk to help make more Dreams come true for kids in Manitoba facing life-threatening illnesses!
Picture: Dream Kid Cain’s tumour was removed and he is now in remission!
Kids Like Cain.
9-year-old Cain was always an active kid - he loved biking, hiking, and skiing. But in 2021, Cain's life completely changed.
Over the holidays, Cain's parents noticed he was limping. They took him for an X-ray in Minnedosa that revealed something unsettling. The next day, they were driving into Winnipeg for an MRI and CT scan.
The scans and tests revealed Cain's parents' worst fear: Cain had cancer. A high grade, aggressive osteosarcoma tumour on his right tibia bone.
Cain began treatment right away - he underwent 29 weeks of chemotherapy, with surgery on week 11 to remove the tumour from his leg. Cain's complex surgery included replacing his entire tibia.
In October 2022, Cain finished chemotherapy and is now in remission. He has had lots of follow-up and will continue to be monitored for the next few years to make sure the cancer doesn't return. Eventually, Cain will require additional leg surgery to limit the difference in his leg lengths.
Now, Cain is slowly recovering. His hair has all grown back and he's getting his energy back. As he recovers, Cain needs to use a wheelchair, but he has a passion for finding new ways to do things. Since going into remission, Cain has even started learning how to use a sledge to skate and has been playing on a hockey team in Brandon!
Picture: Dream Kid Cain on the ice before a Brandon Wheat Kings game!
Picture: Dream Kid Cain has been learning to skate using a sledge!
With all the time Cain has spent in the hospital for chemotherapy, surgeries, and tests, he's missed out on a lot of the fun of being a a kid.
That's where you come in!
Your support at Dream Ride 2023 will help give Cain a Dream come true, and the opportunity to make happy childhood memories.
Cain hasn't decided on his Dream come true yet, but we know that it'll be something adventurous, creative and fun!
Pictured: Dream Kid Kendall’s outgoing personality is what got her and her family through a very difficult time.
Meet Kendall.
At 3 years old, Kendall is like most kids her age. She’s active, bubbly, and loves being outside. But Kendall also had a noticeable red mark between her right eye and the bridge of her nose. For a while, it didn’t seem to be a concern, until it started growing in size.
Kendall went to the Children’s Hospital in Winnipeg, where she had the bump surgically removed in April last year. Once removed, doctors knew that this growing bump was a tumour, and Kendall was diagnosed with an aggressive category of pediatric cancer.
Kendall and her family had to relocate to Winnipeg for her 42 weeks of high-dose chemotherapy treatment, and could only visit home for a few days at a time every two or three weeks. Kendall also needed to have radiation and was referred to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota to receive “Proton Beam Radiation”, a safer option for Kendall with significantly less long-term side-effects to a small, growing child. Kendall and her family had to stay in Minnesota for two months while she received her radiation treatments there.
Kendall has finished her last high dose chemo treatment as of February and has begun her six-month treatment of maintenance chemo. Finally, Kendall is able to live at home in Plumas, MB full-time! She only has to go into Winnipeg once a week for her treatments.
Picture: Kendall has to travel to Winnipeg at least once a week for her treatments.
Picture: Kendall stays strong in the hospital during her treatments.
This Dream Kid’s outgoing personality is truly what has gotten herself and her family through the last year. Kendall loves to be outside and is a true farm kid, so spending time in the city and driving to appointments can be very trying for her. She can’t wait for summer to come so she can get back to some regular kid activities!
Kendall hasn’t decided on her Dream come true yet, but she loves to swim and has mentioned that she’d like to have her very own pool! And with your help, we can bring Kendall’s Dream to life!
Dream Ride is on July 8, 2023 - and you can help make Dreams come true by:
1. ENTERing the 2023 Dream Ride as a participant - you can RIDE 52km OR WALK 15km! Collect donations online, or CLICK HERE to use our offline pledge form and accept cash and credit donations from your friends and family.
2. SPONSOR this local fundraiser - contact Karly at The Dream Factory at (204) 989-4010 or by email at karly@thedreamfactory.ca for more information.
3. DONATE by monetary donation, prize donation, and/or your services!
Event Sponsors
