Registered Charity: NIC110758
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Legacy and Inspiration
After returning to Northern Ireland in 2021, Geraldine knew she had to keep Lisa’s spirit alive. She couldn’t stop thinking about the joy that one dream had brought — not just to Lisa, but to the entire family.
That’s how Dreams2Memories was born.
Founded in honour of Lisa, the charity is Geraldine’s way of paying it forward. Her mission is to grant dreams for other adults in Northern Ireland who are living with terminal cancer — from quiet retreats to family reunions, weddings, or small moments of happiness that bring comfort and peace.
“Nothing can replace the feeling of seeing a dream come true for a loved one who is terminally ill,” Geraldine says.
“It brings a kind of peace that stays with the family long after they're gone.”
Through Lisa’s story, Dreams2Memories continues to write new chapters — filled with love, compassion, and memories that last a lifetime.
The Dream Trip
In the final months of Lisa’s life, an incredible gift arrived — one that changed everything. An Australian charity, Dreams2Live4, reached out to grant Lisa a dream.
One week later, Lisa, her mum Geraldine, and their family were on a plane to Broome in Western Australia. For five precious days, they laughed, relaxed, and embraced a kind of peace that had felt impossible for so long. There were no hospital walls, no doctors' appointments, no mention of the “C word.” Just beautiful sunsets, warm sea breezes, and time spent together.
“Lisa herself said it was the most normal she had felt in a very long time,” Geraldine recalls.
“Everything was thought of. Even the locations of the nearest hospitals were provided. There was no stress — only joy.”
That trip became more than just a dream. It was a memory that would live on in the hearts of Lisa’s family long after she passed away in March 2017.
Early Life and Diagnosis
Lisa Magill was 30 years old when she was diagnosed with sarcoma — a rare and aggressive form of cancer. A vibrant, witty, and deeply loved daughter, sister, and friend, Lisa faced her illness with strength, raw honesty, and a sense of humour that continued to shine, even on the hardest days.
Her diagnosis came as a devastating blow, but Lisa chose to face it publicly and with grace. She wanted to show others what it truly meant to live with terminal cancer — not just the medical treatments, but the emotional weight, the good days, and the heartbreak.
Terminally Fabulous – The Blog and the Book
Lisa Magill wasn’t just fighting cancer — she was telling her story with humour, honesty, and heart through her now-legendary blog, Terminally Fabulous. What began as a raw and personal account of her cancer journey quickly grew into something bigger: a source of connection, strength, and inspiration for thousands.
With over 65,000 readers, Lisa's blog became a lifeline for people around the world. She wrote about the realities of terminal illness in a way that was deeply moving and incredibly human — with moments of sarcasm, sass, sadness, and strength. She pulled no punches, and in doing so, helped others feel less alone in their pain.
Lisa once considered stopping the blog, worried about upsetting her readers. But as her mum Geraldine — her co-author and full-time carer — recalled:
“We knew we might be helping another family to realise that what they were going through was normal, and that made it all worth it.”
In 2019, two years after Lisa passed, Terminally Fabulous was released as a book — a permanent record of her words, her wit, and the legacy she left behind. The launch event, held at The Lakehouse in Queensland, brought together family, friends, supporters, and the Dreams2Live4 team for an emotional celebration of Lisa’s life and impact. Proceeds from the book were donated to the charity that gave Lisa her dream trip to Broome.
The Terminally Fabulous book doesn’t shy away from the truth — just like Lisa never did. It offers real support and reassurance for those going through the unimaginable. No subject is off-limits, but everything is delivered with Lisa’s unmistakable voice: bold, beautiful, and brilliantly honest.
“The tragedy is not that a man dies, but that dies inside him while he lives. We all need something to strive for. Something that stirs the soul.”
— Andrew Denton, Ambassador for Dreams2Live4
