April 2025 Heroes Art Session
One Month To Go Until The Heroes Art Ball
There was so much joy at the April Heroes Art Session. Artist Mentors and childhood cancer heroes painted incredible masterpieces. Each one was a powerful story captured on canvas in color and community. On Friday, May 9, these works of art will shine at The Heroes Art Ball. We will feature some in the live auction at the event, and others will be part of the exciting online auction happening the same night.
Your bid for a work of art will be more than a win. You will directly fund Connor’s Heroes’ personalized programs: from the Heroes Bag and Backpack, to every clinic visit, hospital stay, and the ups and downs along the childhood cancer journey.
Didn’t get a ticket to the sold out event, you can still be part of the celebration! The online auction is free and open to everyone. It’s packed with amazing vacation packages, local experiences, jewelry, art, and more.
Register today so you can make your first bid. Text HAB to 44834 or register on the web https://onecau.se/_73vcs1
Childhood Cancer Heroes: Aina, Archer, Ava, Everett, Jericho, June, Journey, Kasen, Lauren, Logan, Mykahi, Margot, Tallulah, TayNeise, Thomas, Tremon, Valentin, Xaria
Hero Artist Mentors & Volunteers: Margo Asay, Mary Beth Blackwood, Jennike Duignam, Krisitie Faison, Katya Herndon, Maddie Koerber, Albert Negrin, Emily and Maddie Oyan, Ana Stallings, Ella Seward, Crystal Tetlow, Monica Willmore
Picture Credit: Nancy Parker, Lens Of Hope
About Heroes Art Session With Childhood Cancer Heroes And Their Families
Our Heroes Art Sessions provide a supportive environment in which childhood cancer heroes and their siblings can make art and build community with other hero families. At the sessions, you feel a collective sense of healing by creating and being together. We are grateful to Visual Arts Center for giving us the space for an open studio. And to our donors who allow the Heroes Art Sessions to happen at no cost to our families and to supply the artists with their materials.
March 2025 Heroes Art Session
Childhood Cancer Heroes Countdown To Heroes Art Ball
A rainstorm couldn’t keep childhood cancer hero families away from the March Heroes Art Session. With the help of talented Richmond artists, these young warriors poured their hearts into crafting stunning masterpieces for the Heroes Art Ball on May 9, 2025. It’s their way of paying forward the kindness of the Connor’s Heroes community who are helping them through their cancer journeys.
The heroes proved that creativity is its own kind of magic. Each piece of art tells their story of strength, hope, and resilience.
At every Connor’s Heroes event, there are always great treats. This time kids had cupcakes to decorate for St. Patrick’s Day.
You can find information about The Heroes Art Ball on our event website: https://onecau.se/_73vcs1
Childhood Cancer Heroes: Aina, Archer, Ava, Augie, Bella, Charlotte, Everett, Henry, Jericho, June, Kasen, Kennedy, Lauren, Margot, Ruby, Sydney, TK
Hero Artist Mentors & Volunteers: Emily Dickey, Lacy Strickler, Emilia LeBlanc Texler, Linda Shaw, Frankie Slaughter, Monica Wilmore, Sarah Cross, Theodora Miller, Nancy LaBlanc, Joshua Barber, Kristie Faison, Phyllis Guiser, Olivia Tyson, Emily & Maddie Oyan, Patricia Burchett, Sasha, Hannah and Sophie
Picture Credit: Nancy Parker, Lens Of Hope
About Heroes Art Session With Childhood Cancer Heroes And Their Families
Our Heroes Art Sessions provide a supportive environment in which childhood cancer heroes and their siblings can make art and build community with other hero families. At the sessions, you feel a collective sense of healing by creating and being together. We are grateful to Visual Arts Center for giving us the space for an open studio. And to our donors who allow the Heroes Art Sessions to happen at no cost to our families and to supply the artists with their materials.
Today's Helping Hero: Dillard's at Stony Point
Today’s Helping Hero is Dillard’s at Stony Point!
Picture this: a red carpet VIP superstar shopping spree for 11 childhood cancer heroes and their families. In preparation for the Heroes Art Ball on Friday May 9, Dillard’s at Stony Point hosted a personal shopping experience. The heroes and their siblings picked out glitzy dresses and dapper suits to wear when they take center stage at the Heroes Art Ball.
After the big day, hero parents flooded Jillian’s phone with texts like these…
“My family had a blast… the day was magical. I got teary watching the other kids. They were so beautiful. You did an amazing job.”
“The balloon guy. The donuts. The candy baskets. The balloon arch and red carpet. We felt like VIPs at a fashion event. Thank you for the special experience.”
Shoutout to Dayna, Connor’s Heroes Community Engagement Queen, for partnering with Dillard’s to make this happen! And to the sponsors and guests coming to the Heroes Art Ball. Your sponsorships and ticket purchases covered the cost of this VIP experience for the hero families.
Hero Families: Aina, Archer, Ava, Journey, Kasen, Logan, Ruby, Tallulah, Xaria
Stay tuned for more updates as we get ready for the 14th Annual Heroes Art Ball!
Welcome Kassi to the Connor's Heroes Team
Connor’s Heroes is happy to introduce Kassi, our very own unicorn! Kassi accepted a new position for the organization: Administrative and Event Coordinator. She will work her magic to support Celia, Jillian, Dayna, and Ceci with family support, events, office admin and the upcoming Heroes Art Ball.
For our childhood cancer hero families, if Kassi is familiar to you that is because she is a hero mom herself. Her daughter Ava was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2021. Ava is now post-treatment.
Kassi is a passionate advocate for pediatric cancer. She looks forward to giving back to the amazing childhood cancer community who supported her family during Ava’s treatment.
Learn More About Kassi:
What are three words that best describe you?
Funny, personable, kind.
What is something you love to do that most people would never imagine:
I am an avid treasure hunter. From metal detecting to exploring, I love looking for lost treasures.
The best thing someone ever taught you:
My daughter taught me how to be patient with myself and others.
Your favorite singer:
Ben Gibbard, the singer from Death Cab for Cutie. He writes beautiful songs and sings them equally beautifully.
February 2025 Heroes Art Session
Childhood Cancer Heroes Scored Big At Heroes Art Session
This past Sunday wasn’t just about the Super Bowl. For Connor’s Heroes, it was Super ART Sunday. At our February Heroes Art Session, childhood cancer heroes and Richmond artists teamed up to execute the ultimate game plan: create stunning masterpieces for the Heroes Art Ball on May 9, 2025.
With paintbrushes in hand and creativity in overdrive, these young champions brought their A-game. The results? MVP-worthy artwork created for you!
The real victory comes on game day at the Heroes Art Ball. Every dollar raised at the Heroes Art Ball is a winning play for families facing childhood cancer. The night will support Connor’s Heroes programs and services, helping families navigate the complexities of childhood cancer with access to vital financial, emotional, and community support.
You can find information about The Heroes Art Ball on our event website: https://onecau.se/_73vcs1
Childhood Cancer Heroes: Aina, Abby, Charlotte, Hudson, Jericho, Journey, June, Logan, Margot, MyKahi, Ruby, Sydney, Valentine
Artist Mentors: Nancy Jacey, Ashley Cogbill, Alex Georghiou Frankart, Morgann Joan, Linda Shaw, Shana Blakley, Lacy Heiberger, Monica Wilmore, Sarah Cross
Volunteers: Phyllis, Olivia, Alima, John
Photo Credit: 410 Productions & Taylor Schooley
About Heroes Art Session With Childhood Cancer Heroes And Their Families
Our Heroes Art Sessions provide a supportive environment in which childhood cancer heroes and their siblings can make art and build community with other hero families. At the sessions, you feel a collective sense of healing by creating and being together. We are grateful to Visual Arts Center for giving us the space for an open studio. And to our donors who allow the Heroes Art Sessions to happen at no cost to our families and to supply the artists with their materials.
January 2025 Heroes Art Session
Where Courage Meets Creativity
This January, the first Heroes Art Session of 2025 brought together creativity, courage, and community to officially count down to our biggest event of the year: The Heroes Art Ball, happening on Friday, May 9!
At the heart of The Heroes Art Ball are 11 childhood cancer heroes, ranging from toddlers to teens, along with their families. These brave children will take center stage as our guests of honor at the gala. They symbolize the strength of hundreds of young warriors battling cancer with Connor’s Heroes community of heroes by their sides.
We treated our 11 heroes to a day that felt straight out of a Hollywood premiere. Makeup and hair stylists prepped them to pose for portraits. A video crew was on hand to capture the children’s inspiring stories on video.
The Real Magic Is Just Beginning
Over the coming months, at our monthly Heroes Art Sessions, childhood cancer heroes will partner with artist mentors to create one-of-a-kind masterpieces. Every child’s creativity and story will shine through in their art.
We will feature these masterpieces during the live auction at the gala. Every dollar raised at the Heroes Art Ball will support Connor’s Heroes programs and services, helping families navigate the complexities of childhood cancer with access to vital financial, emotional, and community support.
With the brushstrokes of our young heroes to the support of donors like you, the Heroes Art Session is a powerful reminder how hope comes in many forms — through art, community, and friendship.
Childhood Cancer Heroes: Aaliyah, Abby, Aina, Archer, Ava, Everett, Hudson, Jericho, Journey, Margot, Ruby, Sydney, Tallulah, Xaria
Artist Mentors: Jennike Duignam, Alex Georghiou Frankart, Nancy Jacey, Kathleen O’Connor
Volunteers: Collab Beauty with Ashley & Kristen, Anna, Ana, Cynthia, Emily, Kristen, Kristie, Olivia, Maddie, and Phyllis, Nancy Parker Photography
Photo Credit: Hysell Photography + Sheldon Victoria Ekirch
About Heroes Art Session With Childhood Cancer Heroes And Their Families
Our Heroes Art Sessions provide a supportive environment in which childhood cancer heroes and their siblings can make art and build community with other hero families. At the sessions, you feel a collective sense of healing by creating and being together. We are grateful to Visual Arts Center for giving us the space for an open studio. And to our donors who allow the Heroes Art Sessions to happen at no cost to our families and to supply the artists with their materials.
Connor's Heroes Is Hiring
Connor’s Heroes is a small but mighty team dedicated to providing hope, guidance, and support to children with cancer and their families. We’re hiring an Administrative & Event Coordinator to join up with Celia, Jillian, Dayna, and Ceci as we help families in our community. If you have experience in event planning, administrative support, or nonprofits, and are looking to make an impact in a meaningful way, we’d love to hear from you! At Connor’s Heroes, we believe every individual can be a hero to a child with cancer. We welcome all who share our passion for our mission!
To apply, click here to go to CF Engage website. You will find the job description, salary and link to apply.
Meet the team who you would work with: About Us
Holiday Celebrations 2024
Jingle Bells ALL THE WAY!
Childhood cancer hero families were treated to a holiday experience that gave them special holiday memories. Families with a child in active treatment were invited to our annual Holiday Open House. This year, we partnered with CelebrateRVA — another local nonprofit. CelebrateRVA has a joyful party space specifically made to host birthday parties for underserved children. They let us redecorate it and turn it into a Winter Wonderland.
At the Holiday Open House, families sipped from a cozy hot chocolate bar, enjoyed a buffet of desserts, got crafty at holiday stations, and spent magical moments with the big man himself — Santa! Kids left with arms full of presents from their holiday wish lists. Parents/caregivers received a $250 Visa gift card to help with holiday expenses.
Check out our album of photos from the holiday open house — including adorable pictures of the kids with Santa!
Dominion GardenFest of Lights
We were excited to once again offer hero families complimentary tickets to the amazing Dominion GardenFest of Lights at Lewis Ginter. The light display features millions of lights, botanical decorations, and model trains. After spending an evening under the lights, it is easy to see why it keeps getting voted the Best Botanical Garden Holiday Lights in the U.S.! (USA Today 10Best contest; 2024 & 2023). Check out the fun the families had together.
Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy
Connor’s Heroes received a grant for one of the hottest tickets in town: The Richmond Ballet performance of the Nutcracker. With its stunning choreography, lavish sets and costumes, and Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, The Nutcracker is a magical experience for audiences of all ages! For many of the families, this was their first time experiencing the Nutcracker Ballet.
The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
Look at how you made the season bright for childhood cancer hero families:
$31,750 in Visa gift cards given to hero parents/caregivers
168 toys and gift cards for children at the Holiday Open House
249 Lewis Ginter Festival Of Lights tickets
144 WaWa pretzels for Holiday Open House
127 children in active treatment for cancer
64 pictures with Santa
124 gingerbread houses
68 Nutcracker tickets
12 volunteers at the Holiday Open House
4 elves (aka Connor’s Heroes Staff)
1 new community partner – CelebrateRVA
1 new BFF – SANTA!
Thank You To Our Holiday Heroes
Over the holidays, parents and caregivers are juggling the emotional stress of their child’s diagnosis with the financial stress of giving their family the holiday they deserve after a difficult year. The Holiday Hero Fund provided each family in active treatment a $250 VISA gift card, tickets to Lewis Ginter GardenFest of Lights, presents from their holiday wish lists, and a wonderful Holiday Open House.
The Holiday Heroes Fund was fully funded thanks to our community of heroes, especially The Heizer Family, The Fergerson Family, participants in The Opie Open Golf Tournament, Richmond Ballet For All and The Richmond Christmas Mother Fund. Below is the list of caring people who donated to the Holiday Hero Fund:
Ms. Adams • Mr. and Mrs. Andrews • Ms. Asay • Mr. and Mrs. Askin • Mr. Biller • Mr. and Mrs. Bishop • Mr. Blackwell • Mr. and Mrs. Block • Mr. Bolton, III, D.D.S. • Mr. Brammer • Mr. and Mrs. Bray • Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter • Mr. and Mrs. Chalkley • Mr. and Mrs. Coffin • Mr. and Mrs. Coleman • Commercial Plastering and Drywall, Inc. • Cowardin’s Jewelers • Mr. Craft • Mr. and Mrs. D’Arville • Mr. Durrett • Ms. Earley • Mr. and Mrs. Fergerson • Mr. Fieseler • Ms. Fisher • Mr. Fuller • Mr. Harvey • The Heizer Family • Mr. Hollins • Hudson Group Realty, Inc • Mr. Hughes • Mr. and Mrs. Ivins • Mr. Johnson • Kamco Building Supply • Ms. Keeler • Mr. Kelley • Mr. and Mrs. Knight • Ms. Lane • Mr. Lemieux • Mr. Love • Mrs. Loverro • Mr. and Mrs. Martin • Drs. Massey • Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas • Old Dominion Drywall, Inc. • Dr. and Mrs. Peyton • Mr. and Mrs. Porter • Mr. and Mrs. Pritchard • Richmond Ballet For All • Richmond Christmas Mother Fund • Mr. and Mrs. Schoepke • Mr. and Mrs. Smith • Mr. and Mrs. Stump • Ms. Tirs • Mr. and Mrs. Tolley • Drs. Tyson • Ms. Weymouth • Mr. Wilberger • Mr. and Mrs. Wright • Mr. and Mrs. Zyglocke •
Today's Helping Hero: Alisha Trammell
Today’s Helping Hero: Alisha Trammell
Alisha volunteered her talents as a family photographer. She did the best (and fastest) photo shoots in Richmond. A pop-up portrait in 5 minutes! With the beautiful VMFA as their backdrop, 18 childhood cancer hero families had their family photo taken by Alisha.
Alisha volunteered as a way to give back to Connor’s Heroes after her family had been the recipient of our support. She is mom to Fisher — a 7-year-old boy who had a bone marrow transplant last year.
Thank you Alisha for being a hero. And a thank you to our community of heroes for allowing these families to capture a special moment together. Follow her on Instagram @alishamarie_photography
If you are a photographer, why not volunteer to photograph Connor’s Heroes events? You can test out new techniques or improve your skills. We have a calendar full of family and donor events. Email ceci@connorsheroes.org and she will follow up!
14th Annual Heroes Art Ball - Save The Date
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Countdown to 14th Annual Heroes Art Ball
Mark Your Calendar: Friday, May 9, 2025 – The Heroes Art Ball is coming!
The Connor’s Heroes Heroes Art Ball isn’t just an event — it’s a night where our community comes together to make a real difference for children battling cancer. This magical evening unites hero families, volunteers, researchers, and local supporters — all working hand in hand to help children and support the mission of Connor’s Heroes.
Before tickets go on sale in March 2025, you can be a part of the Heroes Art Ball in one of these four ways:
1 – Become a Corporate Sponsor
If you work for or own a business that cares about children, especially those in our community, become a corporate sponsor. Sponsorships start at $1,000 and come with incredible perks like a reserved table for your guests. It’s a powerful way to show your company’s commitment to a worthy cause. Contact Celia Martin at celia@connorsheroes.org for more information.
2 – Donate to the Silent or Live Auction
Your donation to our auction will raise crucial funds to help hundreds of children. Complete this item donation form https://onecau.se/_73vda1
3 – Join the Planning Committee
Love to volunteer? Love to plan a party? The Heroes Art Ball Planning Committee is where you can do both. Meetings are about once a month (in person or via Zoom). We’d love to have your energy and ideas! Email Celia at celia@connorsheroes.org and tell her you’re interested.
4 – Nominate an Artist
Are you or someone you know interested in being a Connor’s Heroes Artist Leader this year? We are looking for artists to create collaborative masterpieces with our heroes and siblings. Complete this form if interested.
Every step you take — whether through sponsorship, donations, or volunteering — can give a night of hope and joy for children fighting cancer and their families. Let’s make sure The Heroes Art Ball shows them they are never alone in their fight.
“Freedom Of Flight” by Emily Dickey and the childhood cancer heroes inspired the colors in this year’s logo. We auctioned off the painting at the live auction at the 13th Annual Heroes Art Ball. For this year’s Heroes Art Ball, the children will collaborate with Richmond artists and create more masterpieces.