About Cottage Dreams

As a result of her own mother’s breast cancer diagnosis, life-long cottager Seana O’Neill decided that she would like to share her Haliburton, Ontario cottage with those who would not otherwise have the opportunity to get away. She was inspired to invite cancer survivors to visit her cottage when she was not there and thought other cottager owners would do the same if given the opportunity. The response to the idea was immediate, passionate and sparked the creation of Cottage Dreams, a one-of-a-kind registered charity that provides time away at a donated cottage to bring cancer survivors and their families together to reflect upon and celebrate recovery at the cottage.

Thank you for your inquiries regarding the program being offered outside of Ontario, we appreciate hearing from you! The expansion of Cottage Dreams will not be based on finding applicants, cottages or volunteers across Canada, as we already have offers from almost every province and territory but it will lay in the ability to secure corporate funds.

This organization is devoted to clarity, efficiency and making a difference in the lives of the brave people who fight cancer. We hope you will invest in our future and the futures of Canadian men, women and children and share the vision of a cottage being used as a healing tool in their post treatment journey. Thank you.
        – Founder Seana O’Neill, 2012

Program Details

  • There is no deadline to request a getaway in 2012.
  • Cottage Dreams 2012 is available to Ontario residents of all ages and types of cancer who will complete treatment two years prior to your Cottage Dreams getaway.
  • If you are unsure if you can request time away, please call or email Debbie Cumber at (705) 457-9100 or program.support@cottagedreams.org.
  • The 2012 program will be offered from June 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.
  • The programs visit week remains as Sunday 2:00pm arrival to Friday 12:00pm departure.
  • At this time, we cannot accommodate those who are deemed palliative.  Please be in touch with Debbie to confirm your request if you unsure if you qualify.
  • There is a $100.00 application fee.
  • Visitors are required to supply their own groceries and transportation.
  • A thorough screening process is in place for all applicants and cottage donors.
  • For cottage owners and upon request, a tax receipt will be issued for the Sunday – Friday cottage donation based on the current market price for a one week rental.
  • A cottage reviewer can be brought in upon the visiting family’s departure to review the cottage.
  • An area property management company will be consulted should a problem arise during the donated week.
  • Please contact us if you are unsure if you qualify. To donate your cottage online, please click here.

Please Note: No request is guaranteed but we do our very best to give you the area and dates you request but the more flexible you are, the more likely it is you will be offered a cottage.

The best way to move forward is to apply online and follow-up with Debbie Cumber so you have a greater chance of being matched with your wish list.  Please keep in mind that Fall and Winter weeks are great times to get away too.

Building Wellness across the Community

Benefits of the Cottage Dreams Program (DOWNLOAD REPORT)

A research report done by Sue Keller-Olaman, Ph.D. for Ontario Breast Cancer Community Research Initiative at Sunnybrook and Women’s College Hospitals to review the benefits of the Cottage Dreams program. Students Erin Chreptyk and Julia Fryer of Trent University spent 2006-2007 studying the benefits of the Cottage Dreams program which resulted in an overwhelming report.

Cottage Dreams facilitates a new kind of community building based on shared values between cottage donors and cottage visitors. This unique sharing experience enhances the successful return to wellness and active participation in the community for the cancer survivor and their family and allows the cottage owner to make a direct and personal contribution.

Cancer in our Community

Major advances in cancer treatment are resulting in more people winning their war with cancer. Coming out of active treatment, more and more Canadians will become cancer survivors, faced with rebuilding their lives, reconnecting with their families and friends and rejoining their workplace and community. Moreover, a cancer diagnosis often brings financial hardship for the patient and their family as work schedules are interrupted, sometimes for lengthy periods. A time away to heal, reflect and rebuild is unaffordable. Cottage Dreams exists to provide, at no cost to the family, the opportunity for a turning point to move on to emotional, spiritual and physical recovery.

Wellness and the Natural Environment

Research has established that natural environments are associated with positive health and wellbeing (e.g. Frumkin). Healing Journey and Mindful Meditation programs that support patients through active treatment and chronic care draw extensively on images in nature.