This holiday season, something new appeared inside Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford. A tree filled not with traditional ornaments, but with dreams.
The goal was simple. Bring hope, joy, and connection into the hospital during the holidays, and give patients, families, and staff a chance to share their dreams.
Over the course of one day in November, patients, parents, and care team members were invited to complete a sentence: “My dream for the future is…” Each response was captured in a Polaroid photo. One copy became a keepsake for the respondent, and one was placed on the Dream Tree.
The dreams were as different as the people who shared them. Some dreamed of curing cancer or speedy recoveries, while others dreamed of unicorns և careers in science and medicine. Each photo tells a story of resilience and the courage it takes to keep dreaming, even during a hospital stay—և the power of a community rooted in generosity, compassion, and optimism.
The Dream Tree will remain on display through January 7, inviting everyone who passes by to pause, read, and remember that behind every hospital door is a dream worth protecting, together.
Share your dream for the future – and hear from the families who submitted their dreams.
