Dream Foundation Grants Another Wish

Santa Barbara’s Dream Foundation made another wish come true on April 6 when they sent North Carolina native Jettie Patton to New York for a make-up session and professional photo shoot with celebrated makeup artist, Bobbi Brown.

Diagnosed with a tumor on her brain stem and resulting liver failure, Patton has been given a limited prognosis by her doctors. To fulfill Patton’s wish, her mother Janice appealed to the Dream Foundation to send her 25-year-old daughter to meet Brown. In a three-day visit Patton and her mother toured the Bobbi Brown studio, where they will created their own signature lip glosses with Brown and her product development team. Patton also received a makeover, followed by a professional photo shoot with photographer, Ben Ritter.

“It is an honor for us to be part of this dream,” Brown said in a written press release. “Our philosophy has always been that beauty is about feeling good and celebrating individuality; Jettie deserves to feel good.”

As a child Patton suffered from liver disease, living under doctors’ care for most of her life. At the age of five she received a successful liver transplant, which eradicated the disease. Sadly, in 2008, Patton’s doctors found a tumor on her brain stem, causing liver failure as a result. Patton spent a month in the hospital re-learning how to walk, talk, and eat again. Although she has shown progress, the doctors estimate she will not make a recovery. “Before anything else happens, I would really appreciate it if you could grant Jettie some time where she can forget about all her aches and pains and just have fun,” Patton’s mother wrote in her letter to Dream Foundation.

This year marks 10,000 dreams fulfilled by Dream Foundation. The organization is one of the few institutions that cater to adults fighting life-threatening illnesses. Dream recipients must be 18 years or older with a prognosis of a year or less to live, and each participant lacks the resources to fulfill their dreams themselves. The foundation relies on donations to grant the 1,600 dreams that are requested annually in the hopes they can enhance the quality of life for patients and their families.

“By showcasing the beauty of Jettie and her final dream, we hope to generate more awareness of Dream Foundation’s mission—so that we can fulfill 10,000 more dreams in the years to come,” said Thomas Rollerson, Dream Foundation Founder, in a written statement.

Patton is an aspiring makeup artist who admires Brown’s success. Brown’s career began in 1991 with the launch of the Bobbi Brown Essentials, 10 brown-based lipstick shades created to be flattering, wearable makeup. Today, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics are renowned in over 55 countries for its natural look that is effortless to apply. At the studio Patton received makeup tips and spent the day being primped.

“Her strength, courage and character should be celebrated,” Brown said. “Her beauty is what inspires us.”