The Dream Connection

10/16/2026

DREAM WEEK WITH UTK CHI OMEGA! 🩷💛

We are so grateful for UTK Chi Omega and the love they continue to pour into Dream Connection! 🥹 Their hearts for our dream kids shine in so many ways, and Dream Week is such a special reminder of the difference this group of passionate young women can make.

Throughout the week, they host a variety of fundraising events and activities to help make dreams come true for children facing life-threatening illnesses. Every effort helps bring a little more magic, joy, and hope to a dream kiddo. ✨

This year, they are celebrating sweet Landon, a 6-year-old Spider-Man superfan who dreams of a beach trip to build his very own Spider-Man sandcastle and meet his favorite superhero! 🕷️❤️

To the UTK Chi Omega girls, thank you for loving our dream kids so well, showing up with such big hearts, and turning your passion into purpose. We are so lucky to have you as part of the Dream Connection family! 💗✨

10/13/2026

We are so thankful for UTK Chi Omega and their continued love and support for Dream Connection!🩷💛

Each year, they dedicate Dream Week to raising funds and awareness for our mission of making dreams come true for children facing life-threatening illnesses. Their passion, dedication, and enthusiasm mean so much to our organization, and we are so grateful to have them as part of the Dream Connection family!

Check out all the exciting events happening this week below and join us in supporting this wonderful cause! ✨

10/05/2026

DREAM CHILD: Cooper ✨
DREAM CAPTAINS: Denise Rowe & Christine Tambornini

18-year-old Cooper lives with a chronic illness, and has had a fair share of challenging moments. His Dream was a chance to escape the everyday and experience something unforgettable — visit the beautiful U.S. Virgin Islands! 🌴 🌊

Cooper and his family spent a week filled with adventure, sunshine, and memories they’ll treasure forever. He enjoyed boat tours, jet skiing, and snorkeling alongside rays and sea turtles!

One of the highlights of the trip was a visit to Coral World, where Cooper had the incredible opportunity to swim with a sea lion, dolphins, and sharks — experiences he’ll never forget. 🦈

Most importantly, Cooper and his family were given the opportunity to slow down, enjoy time together, and experience something truly extraordinary — creating memories they’ll carry with them for a lifetime. ✨

10/01/2026

DREAM CHILD: Angel ✨
DREAM CAPTAINS: Tammy Brogan and Mary Palmer

6-year-old Angel was diagnosed with B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in January 2024. When it came time to choose his dream, he knew exactly what he wanted: a bedroom makeover inspired by everyone’s friendly neighborhood hero, Spider-Man! 🕷️🕸️

With a little imagination and a lot of teamwork, Angel’s dream bedroom is now a reality!

A huge thank-you to our amazing partners at Special Spaces for helping bring Angel’s dream to life and creating a space that is uniquely his.

We’re so happy to see Angel’s dream come true! ✨

09/25/2026

Today is Dolly Day, and we can’t think of a more meaningful story to share. 💗

Our very own Dream Kid, Hattie, was recently featured on CBS Mornings, highlighting the incredible impact Dolly Parton has made through the Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital.

Hattie is a cancer survivor who received treatment at what was formerly East Tennessee Children’s Hospital — a place that holds so many stories of courage, hope, and healing for children and their families.

We are incredibly grateful for the generosity and heart Dolly has poured into this hospital and into the lives of so many children across East Tennessee. Her contributions are helping create a place where kids can receive not only world-class care, but also comfort, hope, and the chance to dream about what comes next. ✨

Hattie’s story is one of many that reminds us why this work matters so much.

Thank you, Dolly, for investing in our children and helping make a difference in the lives of so many kids. 💕

Throughout her life, Dolly Parton helped children battling cancer w...

09/10/2026

A sweet full-circle moment. ✨

Avery was one of our Dream Kids who experienced his dream trip to NYC for the Mac & Cheese Tour.

Recently, Avery went back to Children’s for another surgery, and his family happened to be in the Dream Connection Room — a room made possible through a donation to the building.

Avery’s mom, Danielle, shared:

“We’re still being taken care of by you all. We wanted to just thank you for the love and care you all showed us and our family!”

This is why the work of The Dream Connection means so much. 🧡

09/01/2026

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. 💛🎗️

Each year, approximately 400,000 children and adolescents ages 0–19 are diagnosed with cancer worldwide. That’s 400,000 children whose lives—and the lives of their families—are forever changed.

Childhood cancer treatment has come a long way, but much of it still relies on protocols adapted from adult cancer care. The treatments that save children’s lives can also leave lasting physical and cognitive effects.

Survival is not always the end of the story.

• 60–90% of survivors develop at least one chronic health condition.
• 20–80% experience severe or life-threatening complications later in life.
• Survivors can face a 13x+ higher risk of secondary cancers than the general population.
• Long-term effects can include organ damage, infertility, hearing loss, cognitive difficulties, heart disease, stroke, and premature aging.

These aren’t just statistics. They are children.

That’s why awareness matters.
That’s why research matters.
That’s why funding matters.

We need safer, more effective, child-specific treatments—and survivorship care that begins from day one.

This September, we for the children fighting, the survivors living with the lasting effects of treatment, the angels we’ve lost, and every family forever changed by childhood cancer.

Because beating cancer is not enough. Every child deserves the chance to grow up, grow old, and live a healthy life beyond survival. 💛🎗️

08/27/2026

DREAM CHILD: Valeria ✨
DREAM CAPTAINS: Marcos & Ramsey Garza

At just 9 years old, Valeria has already faced more challenges than most children her age. She was born with Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS), which has resulted in developmental delays, mobility challenges, seizures, and other complications that she works through every day.

Last year, Valeria underwent a major orthopedic surgery at Shriners Children’s to improve her stability and ability to stand and walk. Today, she wears orthopedic braces, uses a walker, and attends therapy three times a week.

If you met Valeria, you would see her joy, determination, and beautiful spirit. ❤️

Valeria loves princesses, and she deserved a little magic of her own. Her trip to Disney and Give Kids The World was truly a dream come true. ✨

08/21/2026

We are so proud to see our Board President, Denise Rowe, and Dream Child Noah Sileno representing The Dream Connection on Living East Tennessee! ❤️

What a special opportunity to share Noah’s story and the heart behind our mission—to create unforgettable experiences and bring joy to children facing life-threatening illnesses.

Denise and Noah are such a wonderful representation of what The Dream Connection is all about. We are grateful to Living East Tennessee for helping us share their story and shine a light on the incredible kids and families we have the privilege of serving. ✨

The Dream Connection, a Knoxville-based nonprofit, grants dreams to children with chronically debilitating or life-threatening illnesses.