Qualifications

For a child to qualify for dream consideration:

  • The child must be between the ages of 3 and 18 and able to verbalize their dream.

  • The child must have a critical or chronic illness as determined by their physician and our screening committee.

  • The child cannot have received a dream, wish or gift from any other similar organization

  • The dream must be that child’s and not that of their parents or another concerned party.

Process

  1. Referral
    Referrals can be made by anyone (parents, guardians, teachers, family friends etc) for children that meet the above qualifications.

  2. Medical Eligibility
    The child must be diagnosed with a critical or chronic illness. In each illness, there should be a clear quality of life issue that is present and verifiable by the child’s attending physician/provider.

  3. Finding a Dream
    Our Dreams Committee is comprised of dedicated and compassionate volunteers who will talk with the child and family throughout an interview process to determine the child’s dream. If there are dream limitations due to the illness of the child, our volunteers will work closely with the family to provide a dream that is appropriate and safe for that child’s physical abilities.

  4. Create Memories
    Once a child’s screening process is complete, our Dreams Committee gets to work coordinating the necessary arrangements and special touches to make a one-of-a-kind and memorable experience for the child and their family.

Refer

If you know of a child that is eligible for a dream, you can either complete the nomination form below, or complete a dream application.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Most dream requests fall into five major categories:

    Celebrity Dreams
    Many children want to meet their favorite television personality, movie star or favorite recording artist. Some children want to meet other role models such as politicians or other public figures.

    Fantasy Dreams
    Many children dream of what they may aspire to when they grow up including being a fireman, policeman, military officer, model or even a princess for a day.

    Shopping Dreams
    Some children wish for a special gift that they may have been dreaming about for a long time or a “Yes Day” shopping spree!

    Sports Dreams
    Many boys and girls of all ages want to see their favorite sports team and meet their favorite sports hero.

    Travel Dreams
    Dream trips include theme parks, visits to other countries and exotic islands, cruises, and popular beach destinations.

  • No. Family income is not considered when determining whether a child is eligible for a dream.

  • No. Dream expenses are paid for through donations, fundraising efforts and in-kind contributions to the Lexington Dream Factory. The Lexington Dream Factory strives to create a memorable dream experience that is as free of stress and concern as possible.

  • In most instances, those that accompany the child are restricted to immediate family members; the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) and siblings that reside in the home. Talk with your dream committee volunteer for more details.

  • It is important that the dream be that of the child’s and not other family members. For this reason, the child must be able to communicate their dream to the Lexington Dream Factory screening volunteers.

  • The Lexington Dream Factory chapter follows national policies and guidelines for granting a child’s dream. However, it is up to the Lexington Dream Factory to determine their own criteria for granting dreams for chronically ill children. The child’s physical condition also, at times, has a role in determining whether a particular dream will be possible. The treating physician works closely with the Lexington Dream Factory volunteers to determine the best time for a dream to be granted and whether a dream will be safe for the child. If a particular dream cannot be granted due to safety concerns, an alternative dream is normally granted.

    The Lexington Dream Factory does not grant dreams for motorized vehicles, pools, pets or weapons of any type.

  • The Lexington Dream Factory is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and so almost 100% of the donations we receive are tax deductible.

  • No. The Lexington Dream Factory is the only dream-granting organization in the United States that grants dreams to children who are also chronically ill. We believe that these children also endure trauma, stress and emotional suffering.