Since 1985, the Dream Connection has fulfilled dreams for over a thousands children battling life-threatening or chronically debilitating illnesses in Knox County and the surrounding areas—including all the dreams above.
One such child is Cooper Stansbury who was diagnosed in 2019 with stage 4 high- risk neuroblastoma, although he has since recovered and is in remission. After a grueling 18 months of aggressive treatment, Cooper was granted his wish to visit the Universal Studios theme park—and most importantly, the Jurassic Park section.
He loved every minute of this trip, especially the thrilling VelociCoaster which he said was his “top favorite.”
The Dream Connection was founded by B.J. Price from Knox County. His daughter, Dawn Price Marsh, worked in a children’s hospital and kept telling him heartbreaking stories about the kids she worked with. B.J. was so moved that he reached out to different charities to learn how he could help.
With their help, he founded the Dream Connection, and in 1985 they granted their first wish—gifting an Apple Computer to a kid who couldn’t go to school because of his condition. While B.J. passed away in 2015, Dawn is the current Vice President. One of the best things about the organization is that every cent donated goes to making wishes come true, zero to administration since everyone is a volunteer.
Board member and treasurer Denise Rowe has a special link to the Dream Connection. In 2014, her son, Ethan, was diagnosed with metastatic Ewing sarcoma. The next year, the Dream Connection granted Ethan’s wish to visit the headquarters of Vat19.com, a company that makes unique and fun products for kids. They also gave him side-line passes for a Ram’s football game where he was able to meet the players and go on the field.
“We had such an amazing experience,” Denise recalled. “I saw firsthand what the Dream Connection does, what their values are.”
Unfortunately, shortly after this, Ethan—only 12 years old—was put on hospice. During this time, Denise asked him what she could do to carry on his name. One of his answers was to volunteer at the Dream Connection because of all they’d done to help their fam- ily. It is a promise she has fulfilled. She has helped dozens of kids fulfill their dreams, and I know her son would be proud.
Another board member, Deborah Pressley, discussed her love for the dream con- nection. “This is my passion,” she said. “Whatever their dream is, it’s not going to fix it. What’s wrong with them, it won’t fix. But what it does do is give them a bit of a respite. Not only does it give the child a respite, but it gives the entire family a respite. There are many times they are at the hospital daily in getting treatment, and after you’ve been poked and prodded for day in and day out, to be able to get away or to have that bit of respite, it’s rejuvenating. The doctors have said, it’s been a proven fact, that with this type of stimulation, it helps them mentally, it helps them physically, and in some cases, it helps them get through their treatment.”
