‘Tomorrow is always better’: Dream Foundation fulfills last adventure for Lynn couple

Oct. 9, 2025 -- Faith, determination, and laughter have gotten John Cunningham and his wife, Audrey, through a difficult year following his cancer diagnosis.

He spends about 19 days a month at Reid Health's Cancer Center for chemotherapy, hydration, lab work, and visits with his provider.

When he arrived for a routine treatment recently, he didn't expect to find the infusion bay filled with colorful balloons, gift baskets, and his care team waiting with a surprise.

With the help of the Dream Foundation, he and Audrey are going to Hocking Hills, Ohio, for one more adventure together — scheduled Oct. 10-12 — joined by his daughter and son-in-law, Lee and Jimmy Morgan.

Tammy Crowe, Oncology Therapeutic Area Manager at Genentech, a partner organization with the Dream Foundation, presented the trip on Sept. 25.

"You requested a dream and it's come true," Crowe said. "We wanted to come out and hand deliver this dream to you because you are very, very special to all of these people here."

The Dream Foundation is the only national organization granting final dreams for terminally ill adults, offering comfort, joy, and closure.

Reid's Oncology and Infusion Center teams encouraged Cunningham to apply, then organized the surprise announcement.

"This is one of the most incredible teams I've seen in a very long time," Crowe said. "I've never seen anything like this. This is spectacular."

Azeb Lemma, Nurse Practitioner for Reid Oncology Associates, said it's a privilege to be part of Cunningham's care team.

"Granting him his dream is so dear to our hearts because we're not only able to care for his physical needs but his overall well-being," Lemma said. "And by doing so, it lets John know he's valued beyond his illness."

It was a meaningful reminder that healing extends beyond medicine to shared moments in joy, connection, and togetherness.

"When John received his Dream Foundation trip, I truly enjoyed experiencing his heart on his sleeve," said Samantha King, RN, of Reid's Oncology Services for Infusion Therapy. "You can see he feels loved in an environment where hope can sometimes be hard to find."

Receiving the adventure was a celebration with a range of emotions.

"I really appreciate this," Cunningham said as he opened the baskets. "This feels like Christmas at our house."

The Cunninghams chose Hocking Hills because it's the type of outdoor getaway they've enjoyed during their 35-year-marriage, and the three-hour drive is manageable.

During their summers off from Richmond Community Schools — he worked in maintenance and she was in facilities — they'd hitch up their RV to camp and fish as they traveled to Northern Indiana and from South Alabama to Western Arkansas.

"We have made wonderful memories and have truly enjoyed nature and God's wonderful works," Cunningham wrote in his application to the Dream Foundation.

"Being able to do it one more time would be truly incredible."

While there, Cunningham plans to fish and visit an easily accessible waterfall.

Mostly, his plans involve a rocking chair on the cabin's front porch taking in the view, while spending time with family.

"Audrey is his rock. She never left his side from day one," Lemma said.

"He puts a smile on everyone's face the moment he steps into the clinic. I always cherish his life stories."

Cunningham was diagnosed with acute myeloblastic leukemia on Oct. 24, 2024, and was given about a year to live. But he said he's feeling fine, gaining weight, and facing the future with optimism.

"John comes in to receive chemotherapy and regardless of his physical abilities that day, his emotional well-being always appears to be strong," King said.

"He brightens the day of every one of the staff in this area with his contagious smile and laughter."

During the presentation, Crowe asked Cunningham if he knew where he was going for his trip. His response was somewhere in southeast Ohio.

"You guys got me a luxury place to go to," he kidded. "I'll find it."

King said celebrating every win with patients is important.

"I just want John and his family to enjoy the time they have at Hocking Hills," she said.

"I think this will be a great time to keep some of the heavier things off their mind and just be present with each other, enjoying each other's company."

Audrey is keeping the memories in a scrapbook, including a photo of their Christmas tree — still standing from last year — a symbol of Cunningham's determination to see another holiday together.

A U.S. Army veteran and former helicopter pilot during Vietnam from 1968 to 1973, Cunningham has faced hard times before.

Through humor and laughter, he understands his prognosis and the weight of the trip's meaning.

"Everybody got excited about this. She's excited. My daughter and son-in-law got excited. I'm trying to get excited," Cunningham said.

"But I had to sign a paper saying I was terminal. It's hard to do that."

Raised in Tennessee's Appalachia region, he's the grandson of Baptist preachers and hardworking parents of eight children who relied on their faith and perseverance.

"In our family, every day was really tough but there was always hope tomorrow was going to be better. We always had that. It was always there," Cunningham said.

"And now people say, for you, John, tomorrow isn't going to be better. Well, what's the worst that could happen? I'll be with Jesus. There's always hope for tomorrow."

Smiling, he holds strong to his family's roots.

"It was a wonderful life because tomorrow was going to be better," Cunningham said. "And I've tried to be funny along the way and spread joy. Every day is a good day, isn't it?"

About Dream Foundation
Dream Foundation, located in Santa Barbara, California, is the only national dream-granting organization for terminally-ill adults, fulfills final Dreams that provide joy, comfort and closure at the end of life. With the support of a nationwide network of volunteers, hospices, healthcare organizations and committed donors, the organization has served more than 35,000 final Dreams over the last 31 years. Dream Foundation has Charity Navigator's four-star rating — its highest — for sound and transparent fiscal management, ensuring its donors and partners that their investment will be used wisely. Dream Foundation receives no state or federal funding, relying on individual and corporate donations. To support the mission please visit DreamFoundation.org/donate.