Cottage Dreams offers
recent cancer survivors the opportunity to reflect upon and celebrate
recovery in a positive and relaxing setting.
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. In September 2003, Cottage Dreams
placed its first 6
cancer survivors into donated cottages in some of Ontario's most beautiful recreational
destinations.
Since 2003, this unique cottage
lending program has grown to include hundreds of donated cottages from
across Ontario
has offered cottages to more than 375 families.
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
Program Details NEW INFORMATION
- Cottage Dreams is available to Ontario residents of all ages and
types of cancer who will complete treatment between March 1, 2008
and March 1, 2009.
- The 2009 program will be offered from June 1, 2009 to
October 17, 2009.
- The programs visit week remains as Sunday arrival and
Friday departure
- The deadline to apply is March 1, 2009.
- At this time, we cannot accommodate those who are currently
in treatment or who are palliative.
- The program is available free of charge to applicants and
cottage owners.
- A thorough screening process is in place for all applicants
and cottage donors.
- Cottage Dreams representatives visit each and every donated
cottage to view the property and meet with the owners.
- Upon request, a tax receipt will be issued for the Sunday -
Friday cottage donation.
- A cottage reviewer is 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.
Building Wellness across the
Community
 The Benefits of the 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.
 Download the 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.
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