Transforming the lives of children with serious illnesses through positive experiences and creating unique, unforgettable memories. This is the main mission of Mil y un Sueños Association, which believes in the transformative power of dreams as a way to help children regain hope and enthusiasm, improving their emotional well-being and, in turn, helping them respond more positively to medical treatment. This shared vision has brought together Mil y un Sueños and the Fundación Xana in a collaboration agreement aimed at joining forces and reaching more families.
“We are delighted to add such an important partnership to the work we do at the Fundación Xana. Mil y un Sueños is the perfect complement to the emotional support we provide to children and their families, and it represents a wonderful enhancement to the comprehensive care that the Fundación Xana offers to children living with serious illnesses and their loved ones. By sharing the same approach and a common goal, supporting the emotional well-being of families during an extremely challenging period in their lives, we are confident that this collaboration with Mil y un Sueños will have a significant impact on the quality of the support we provide,” explains Bela Cullell, Director of the Fundación Xana, whose mission is to offer comprehensive care and support to children, teenagers and young people affected by serious illnesses, as well as to their families.
For her part, Smara Álvarez, Communications Director of Mil y un Sueños Association, welcomed the collaboration, which will begin in October: “We are truly excited about this agreement with the Fundación Xana because we are driven by the same purpose: supporting families whose children are fighting a serious illness. Both the Fundación Xana and Mil y un Sueños work closely with the healthcare professionals who care for these families, which allows us to gain a broader understanding of each family’s situation and to combine our efforts in providing holistic support and achieving a greater impact. This alliance will enable us to reach many more families and address, more comprehensively, the needs arising from illness that go far beyond medical treatment itself”.
DREAMS AS A TEAM PROJECT
When a serious illness enters a family’s life, daily routines are often replaced by uncertainty, fear and anxiety. Having something positive to focus on can give children the strength and confidence they need to keep moving forward. Mil y un Sueños approaches each dream as a team project and a shared family goal to work towards. Together, families take part in fun activities chosen by the children themselves, spending quality time together while building on the child’s strengths. This process empowers children, helping them regain confidence, hope and resilience. “We work closely with medical teams, who help us identify the moments when families need support the most and guide us throughout the process,” explains Álvarez.
To create this positive impact, the association develops both individual and group dreams, either inside or outside the hospital environment, giving families a much-needed break and opportunities to connect with others facing similar situations in a more relaxed and enjoyable setting. Activities are always tailored to each child’s abilities and designed to enhance their well-being and self-confidence. They may include arts and crafts, videos, letters, games and other creative projects. At the same time, families are encouraged to complete “assignments” recommended by healthcare professionals, such as improving nutrition or participating in rehabilitation exercises, using the motivation provided by their Dream to approach treatment in a more positive way. “Beyond making the Dream come true, the journey towards achieving it is itself a path of hope and empowerment. Throughout the process, children focus on positive goals, and the excitement of pursuing their Dream encourages them to persevere and become more resilient. That is our social value,” concludes Smara Álvarez.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROJECT HERE