For most 25-year-olds, meeting family members should be a regular occurrence. But for Todd Ross, a cancer diagnosis last February made that simple wish much more complicated — and much more meaningful.
Ross, who was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, recently fulfilled his dream of connecting with relatives in New York City, some of whom he had never met, through the Dream Foundation, a national organization that provides end-of-life experiences to adults facing terminal illnesses.
“His dream was to really connect with his New York family — people that he’s never met,” Dani Cordaro with the Dream Foundation said.
The journey to New York became a reality after Ross wrote a letter to the foundation following encouragement from his doctor.
“My doctor said, ‘You know what, we don’t know how this could go. So, you might as well see what’s out there. If it’s possible, you should reach for a dream,'” Ross said.
The foundation arranged a four-night hotel stay and coordinated with supporters in New York to provide show tickets and experiences at landmarks including the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty.
“I mean, they definitely, they’ve granted my dream,” Ross said.
As Ross arrived in the city, the magnitude of the moment struck him.
“I don’t know, I feel like everything just became more and more real as we went deeper into the city and went more and more into the hotel,” Ross said. “Just seeing all the high rises, and my phone’s getting blown up by my family like ‘oh my God you’re here.”
The trip held special significance following the death of Ross’s father last year. The last time Ross had seen some of his uncles was at his father’s funeral.
“One of the main things I’d like to do is go to their house, eat dinner with them, and just talk about my dad’s childhood,” Ross said.
Despite facing a terminal diagnosis, Ross maintains an optimistic outlook on life.
“I’m still alive, I still have dreams, I still have friends and family, and I — frankly — don’t feel like I’m dying. So, until I do, I’m gonna live,” he said.
The Dream Foundation serves adults throughout the country who are facing life-limiting illnesses. A GoFundMe has been established to help Ross with medical expenses.
