Terminally-Ill Single Mother, Author, & Cult Survivor Gives Daughter a Special Sweet Sixteen
The Californer/10307370

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Californer -- Single mother of two, Elishaba Doerksen, a survivor of abuse by the hands of her father and who has since authored a memoir, "Out Of The Wilderness (https://www.outofthewildernessbook.com/)," about her experience, has been diagnosed with grade IV glioblastoma and is facing the end of her life. She dreamed of taking her daughter to Hawaii for her sweet 16^th birthday. Thanks to Dream Foundation (http://www.dreamfoundation.org/) and its partners, her Dream is coming true.

Elishaba who is no stranger to painful battles and courageous endeavors has decided to forego further treatment for the time being. Instead, she wants to "spend time with and love my children" and "live and breathe life with joy!"

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While her children, Michael, 11, and Esther, 15, are aware of their mother's prognosis, the reality is difficult to accept, especially for Esther, with whom Elishaba shares a special bond.

Michael has special needs and needs constant care after a stroke left him partially paralyzed six years ago.

"He is my little sunshine," Elishaba says. "He has endured so much with a smile."

Esther loves Michael with all her heart and understands that he has needed lots of special care over the years.  Now, Elishaba wants to spend special mother-daughter time with Esther in Hawaii.

"It would be such a gift and Dream come true knowing that this could be the last chance to go as mother-daughter," she says.

Later this month, Dream Foundation will fly Elishaba and Esther from Anchorage, Alaska, to Lihue, Kauai, with help from Alaska Airlines, a Dream Foundation partner for 25 years.

Mother and daughter will spend a week on the Island in a Princeville condo, enjoying a luau courtesy of Polynesian Adventure and mountain tubing courtesy of Kaua'i Backcountry Adventures. Turo, a Dream Foundation Contributing Partner, will host ground transportation for their stay.

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Before departure, employees of Dream Foundation's Signature Partner, Genentech, hosted a Dream Delivery to celebrate Elishaba's life and Dream.

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, healthcare organizations and committed donors, the organization has served more than 35,000 final Dreams over the last thirty 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.