Over The Moon Recipient

The Dreams Come True “Over The Moon” Award was developed to recognize the men and women in our local hospitals and clinics who are on the front lines of treating and assisting our children, and who go above and “Over the Moon” for our dreamers.

We are proud to announce Kim Taylor, Medical Social Worker at Wolfson Children’s Hospital’s Hematology/Oncology Unit, as a recipient of the “Over The Moon” Award. 

Here are some questions we asked Kim:

Tell us a little more about yourself and what you enjoy doing outside of your career?

I am a medical social worker on the hematology/oncology unit at Wolfson Children’s Hospital. I received my Masters of Social Work at Florida State University (GO NOLES). I wear a lot of hats in my role as a social worker. I handle the discharge plans from the hospital, provide emotional support during difficult times, as well as assisting families with financial resources.

When not working, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, visiting the lake on my sea-doo, enjoying the beach, attending my nephews’ baseball games, and watching football (again, GO Noles!).

What do you love about your job?

I love being able to provide counseling and a listening ear for parents during tough times, while meeting all of the amazing kids who are battling cancer and seeing how strong they are. It is amazing to see how far kids come after treatment and all that they accomplish. I love working on Weaver 4 and with some of the best nurses and physicians around. I also love being able to work with local organizations. They all have a heart of gold.

How would you describe the impact of a dream on a child and their family?

I have had the pleasure to see firsthand the impact a dream has on a child and their family. Many families do not have the funds to plan a family trip, especially during their child’s treatment. Dreams Come True provides that opportunity that a family would not normally get, while creating treasured memories that last a lifetime. With the support of Dreams Come True, a kid can simply be a kid. The organization provides joy and takes the focus away from the daily struggles with a life-threatening illness.

What does Dreams Come True mean to you?

Dreams Come True means the world not only to these children who are fighting for their life but also myself. It is truly amazing how fast they can make things happen and you never hear the word no. They always go above-and-beyond to make it happen even when the requests are almost unbelievable.

I believe Dreams Come True is unique and gives children something to look forward to during their darkest days. The smiles and reactions from the kids are priceless. Although the children who are going through treatments are Dream Come True’s top priority they also honor the staff on Weaver 4 and appreciate each and every individual.

It is an honor to work alongside an organization like Dreams Come True!

What is one of your fondest memories associated with a dreamer and their dream trip?

There are multiple memories from Dreams Come True, but there are a few that come to mind that I will never forget and cherish forever. One being Raylee who went home with hospice services after a strong fight with cancer. Raylee’s favorite holiday was Christmas. Dreams Come True bought a Christmas Tree, tons of ornaments and decorations, had snow and even Santa. Dreams Come True, an oncology RN and myself drove to Georgia on a Saturday in October and made this happen for Raylee and her family. As we were getting ready to leave, we saw the majority of her school walking down the dirt road to her home singing Christmas carols. When they all came to her door we gathered around holding hands and prayed for Raylee. This experience gave me chills and was truly amazing to see how a small community comes together during these times.

Another one was Angeliz who unfortunately spent a lot of time in the hospital. She was great at pranks and had a wonderful supportive family. During her hospitalization, Angeliz turned 15 and Dreams Come True was able to host her big Quinceanera. They provided her a beautiful dress, shoes, food, and decorations to make Angeliz feel special on her birthday.

Another dreamer memory was Jake (Buzz). Jake battled leukemia and was so positive during his entire treatment process. Jake would entertain other kids in the hospital who did not have family visiting. He would light up a room and was such a comedian. Jake had a heart of gold and was a big fan of Donald Trump. I remember sitting in his living room and he said, ‘you know it would really be cool if I could talk to Donald Trump before I go.” He wanted me to ask Dreams Come True to make that happen. I told him, “you may have better luck with Donald Duck.” I talked to Dreams Come True about his request and they were able to make this happen, and  Jake was able to speak to Donald Trump and he could not believe it!

 

 

Special Thanks

At Dreams Come True, our mission is brought to life through the dedication and passion of our staff, volunteers and the partnerships on the First Coast that we cherish. It is together that we are able to ensure that no child is denied a dream or placed on a waiting list. Thank you to all our donors for their assistance in bringing hope and joy into the lives of local children battling life-threatening illnesses. A special thank you to the following community partners who have gone above and beyond to help us fulfill our mission.

Our Community. Our Children. Our Commitment.

The following individuals and companies are recognized for support  provided January 2019 – December 2020.