Santa Barbara Community Makes Terminally-Ill Woman's Dream Come True
The Californer/10346829

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Californer -- When doctors told Sabrina Howard that her uterine cancer was terminal, she dreamed of escaping to a luxury resort. Thanks to Dream Foundation and the caring Santa Barbara community, her final Dream came true.

Sabrina spent her career caring for others, working at a shelter serving people facing addiction, mental illness, and homelessness, until her cancer diagnosis forced her to stop.

For the past three years, she has been confined to her bed. Never having known luxury, she dreamed of being pampered at a beautiful beachside hotel with her daughter, Melodia, whom she calls her "best friend of 35 years."

"I want to snuggle with my daughter on a king-size bed," Sabrina wrote to Dream Foundation. "I want to be able to share with her and laugh with her and cry with her."

Dream Foundation reached out to The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, who kindly welcomed Sabrina and her daughter, Melodia, as their guests for a two-night stay in a spacious suite.

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The Ritz-Carlton Bacara also provided spa day passes, club lounge access, valet parking, dining credit toward the resort's distinctive dining, and a welcome gift including chocolate truffles and a bottle of local wine.

Dream Foundation's CEO, Kisa Heyer, says, "We are so fortunate to live in such a beautiful place with such a generous community. Dream Foundation fulfills Dreams all over the country, but there is something incredibly special about being able to share our sanctuary by the sea with people facing the end of life."

Local photographer Lena Britt also offered her services, capturing the trip in photographs mother and daughter can keep forever.

Sabrina was overwhelmed with gratitude. When it was time to leave, she said, "It's been so amazing! I cried today, knowing I have to go home, back to cancer. Thank you so much for taking cancer out of the equation for just a few days! It was wonderful! So many beautiful memories were made."

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TURO, who has been helping Dream Foundation make Dreams come true since 2019, hosted ground transportation for Sabrina and her daughter.

About Dream Foundation:

Dream Foundation, the only national dream-granting organization for terminally-ill adults, fulfills final Dreams that provide joy, comfort and closure at the end of life. With the support of a nationwide network of volunteers, hospices, health care organizations and committed donors, the organization has served more than 35,000 final Dreams over the last thirty-two years. Dream Foundation has Charity Navigator's four-star rating—its highest—for sound and transparent fiscal management ensuring its donors and partners that their investment will be used wisely. Dream Foundation receives no state or federal funding, relying on individual and corporate donations. To support the mission please visit DreamFoundation.org/donate.