Transportation aid for children with cancer
Imagine a child battling cancer, knowing they have a reliable and comfortable way to get to their life-saving treatments.
What you’re funding
Imagine a child battling cancer, knowing they have a reliable and comfortable way to get to their life-saving treatments. Dream Rydes provides just that, with our wheelchair-accessible van. Beyond the essential trips, we also arrange a "Ryde of a Lifetime" in exotic cars to create a fun, memorable experience for the patients and their families, giving them a much-needed break from their hardships.
Dream Rydes is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children with cancer and other critical illnesses by providing safe transportation to medical appointments — and unforgettable “Rydes of a Lifetime” in their dream car, plane, or boat.
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About Dream Rydes Inc
For families getting a child to cancer treatment or care for another chronic illness, the trip itself can be one more burden on an already full day. Dream Rydes steps in with safe, reliable transportation assistance, plus help with costs like parking, fuel, repairs, tolls, and other travel expenses. It also creates Ryde of a Lifetime experiences, so some days hold something other than appointments and waiting rooms.
What sets Dream Rydes apart is how practical and personal it is at the same time. The organization uses customized vans and dream vehicles to support children and families, while staying rooted in founder Danielle Johnston’s own cancer experience and pediatric oncology background.
About this work
In their own words — what they do, who it reaches, and what your dollars actually fund.
Mission
Dream Rydes provides reliable transportation assistance to children with cancer and other chronic illnesses, and creates meaningful experiences for children and their families, one ride at a time.
Who they serve
Children battling cancer and other chronic or critical illnesses, and their families.
Their impact
- 600+ hospital rides delivered and counting
- 250 rides to the hospital
- 122 Rydes of a Lifetime
- $10K in transportation aid
- benefitting 4 families last year
- provided memorable activities and experiences for 20 children and their families
How your donation helps
- Fuel gift cards
- Parking chips
- Urgent vehicle repairs
- Routine vehicle maintenance and safety checks
- Tollway and other travel expenses
- Transportation in customized vans or SUVs
- Fuel, insurance, maintenance, and logistics for patient rides
Programs
Transportation Aid Program
Provides safe, reliable rides to medical appointments and treatments, and helps families with transportation-related barriers such as parking, fuel, repairs, tolls, and other travel costs.
Dedicated Transportation
Operates a customized Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van to provide comfortable rides for children and families to medical appointments, chemotherapy, and physical therapy.
Parking Support
Provides parking chips to help cover costs during frequent hospital visits, including overnight stays.
Patient Vehicle Support
Helps families with urgent vehicle repairs, maintenance, and other car needs so children can get to the hospital on time.
Fuel Assistance
Provides gas gift cards to help families travel to and from treatment without added stress.
Ryde of a Lifetime Program
Creates personalized day experiences for children battling cancer and other chronic illnesses, including rides in dream vehicles such as exotic cars, planes, helicopters, or boats.
Stories
Need help?
Families can nominate a child through the Nominate Child form, which asks for the patient's name, hospital or treatment center, doctor's name, email, and message. The organization also provides a Book Ride option for transportation aid and offers personalized Ryde of a Lifetime experiences.
Events
Houston Soccer Tour
June 7A community motorcade experience with exotic supercars and custom Cybertrucks, live entertainment, family activities, and participation from community leaders and families served by Dream Rydes.
Elmo's Got The Moves Live
June 25A family-friendly Ryde of a Lifetime experience listed on the events page.
Tee Up For A Cause
February 15A Carolinas event held at Simulate Golf in Gastonia, North Carolina, supporting Dream Rydes.
Ways to help
Current needs
- Monthly donors for the Fuel the Ryde Club
- Drivers or owners willing to share exotic cars
- Event committee members
Volunteer opportunities
- Volunteer time to help provide safe rides to medical appointments and moments of joy
- Drive and share an exotic car
- Join the event committee
- Help fundraise through the Ways To Help program
Recognition & press
In the media
- Click2Houston, a feature on Houston-area nonprofits working together for childhood cancer families