South African charity marks 38 years of bringing hope, joy and unforgettable moments to children living with life-threatening illnesses
For nearly four decades, the Reach For A Dream Foundation has been transforming the lives of children facing life-threatening illnesses. Since its founding in 1988, the organisation has fulfilled more than 30,000 dreams, creating moments of joy, hope and resilience for young dreamers and their families across South Africa.
From meeting sporting heroes and celebrities to receiving treasured gifts or experiencing once-in-a-lifetime adventures, every dream is designed to give children something powerful to look forward to during difficult medical journeys.
A Birthday Celebration Filled With Hope
To celebrate its 38th anniversary, Reach For A Dream hosted a special birthday event at the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital in Johannesburg. The celebration honoured the foundation’s remarkable legacy while bringing smiles to children currently receiving treatment.
The day was filled with laughter, entertainment and creative activities. Guests enjoyed performances by the Laughter Heroes, Uncle Black Jack, Themba Mathabela and Siya Makhubu. The festivities also included face painting, a birthday cake cutting, doughnut decorating and a shared lunch.
A Dream That Changed a Life
One of the day’s most moving moments came from Dr Nkuli Boikhutso, CEO of Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital, who shared her personal connection to Reach For A Dream.
As a child battling cancer in 1997, Dr Boikhutso was one of the foundation’s dream recipients.
“I was more than a cancer patient. They gave me a new perspective on life. My dream come true gave me hope and today, I’m the CEO of a children’s hospital.”
She congratulated the organisation on its milestone, thanking the team for nearly four decades of making dreams come true for children across South Africa.
Nearly Four Decades of Making Dreams Come True
Reach For A Dream CEO Julia Sotirianakos reflected on the foundation’s incredible journey and the community that has supported its mission.
“We are almost four decades old. We couldn’t have done it without the love and support of 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.”
Today, the foundation fulfils an average of seven dreams every day, offering hope and emotional support to children and their families when they need it most.
How You Can Help
Every dream is made possible through the generosity of donors, volunteers and supporters. By contributing to Reach For A Dream, South Africans can help create more unforgettable moments for children facing some of life’s toughest challenges.
To learn more or make a donation, visit the Reach For A Dream Foundation’s website.
