Ceci Hull

Today’s Helping Hero is the McDonald Family & Tailgate For Timmy.

Thomas and Hannah’s annual tailgate brings together family and friends to honor Thomas’s late father, Tim. At the heart of the event is their love of helping children. Something Tim strongly believed in.

The 11th Annual Tailgate for Timmy raised over $33,000 for Connor’s Heroes.

Everyone had a great time with live music, a kids zone, and of course crowning this year’s Tailgate Champion! With the money they raised, Connor’s Heroes can mail out $100 gift cards to hero families and much more.

Hannah McDonald shared on Instagram: “… over 200 people pause their busy lives to show up for this event… The Tailgate For Timmy family is truly unlike any other. We are so incredibly blessed to have this crew.”

If your friends/family believe in giving back to your community, you can turn your party into a giving party. Email Amanda at amanda@connorsheroes.org with your idea!

Today’s Helping Hero: The Heizer Family

For families with a child in cancer treatment, the holidays can feel heavy. Hospital stays, medical bills, and time away from work make it hard to keep up holiday traditions. Every year, the Heizer Family makes sure local families find holiday magic during a stressful time by hosting a golf tournament.

The 5th Annual Opie Open presented by Dominion Energy raised over $40,000 for the 2026 Holiday Hero Fund!

Thanks to the Heizers, their friends, family, and business sponsors, the 2026 Holiday Hero Fund is off to a strong start. It can give local families gift cards worth hundreds of dollars, plus gifts, and tickets to holiday experiences. They can enjoy the joy and togetherness that make the holidays meaningful.

ABOUT THE OPIE OPEN

The Opie Open is an annual golf tournament held in memory of Cathy’s husband, Paul “Opie” Heizer who passed away after battling pancreatic cancer. Opie devoted his life to supporting child-focused nonprofits like Connor’s Heroes. He wanted children with cancer to feel love, hope, and support, especially during the holidays. We are grateful that his family is continuing his legacy of caring.

You can keep it going by making your donation to the Holiday Hero Fund: https://form-renderer-app.donorperfect.io/give/connors-heroes-foundation/holiday-hero-2022

The Club I Never Planned to Join

How A Father Found Community After His Daughter’s Cancer Diagnosis

Ava is a gregarious nine-year-old with dreams of being a singer, a Child Life Specialist, or even working for Connor’s Heroes. The last two ideas were born from her own childhood cancer experience, which began just after she turned four.

For several weeks, her dad Brian and mom, Kassi, worried about Ava’s random vomiting, localized headaches, and sudden tiredness. At Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU (CHoR) where doctors ordered a CT scan to make sure it wasn’t “the scary stuff.”

On September 5, 2021, life for the Thomas family forever changed.

“Even with masks on, we could tell from the doctors’ faces that the news was not going to be good,” says Brian.

Ava was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer. Surgery completely removed the tumor, but intensive treatment followed: weeks of daily chemotherapy and proton radiation in Washington, D.C., then high-dose inpatient chemotherapy at CHoR.

She Felt Like A Superstar!

Connor’s Heroes was one of the first organizations to offer support. Brian saw that every gift card, toy, meal, and gas card was given with thought for Ava and the family’s unique needs and interests. “Connor’s Heroes was a supportive and grounding presence during a very chaotic and challenging time for our family,” he says.

One of the Thomas family’s most memorable Connor’s Heroes experiences came after treatment, when Ava was honored at the annual Heroes Art Ball in 2023.

“It was one of the first moments out of treatment where we were able to enjoy a great evening and leave the constant worry behind,” says Brian. “Ava felt like a superstar!”

Ava Has One Dream

Today, Ava is a fourth grader who loves swimming, singing, dancing, softball, squishy toys, Roblox, Taylor Swift, and Stranger Things.

“Being able to watch Ava live life and do normal kid things five years after we received her devastating diagnosis is something I will never take for granted,” says Brian.

For Brian and Kassi, Connor’s Heroes has meant more than financial support. It is a community who cares about their family through treatment, recovery, and survivorship.

“Being a cancer parent is not a club I planned to be a part of, but it is one of the most supportive groups of people I have ever encountered,” says Brian. “For a community who experiences unfathomable levels of loss and tragedy, there is a hope that remains because all of us have been pushed, at some point, to a place where hope was all we had left.”

Ava has plenty of dreams. But one is bigger than all the others.

“My dream is never having cancer again.”

AUTHOR: Michelle Nunnally

This year marks 20 years that Connor’s Heroes has been a part of the community. Connor’s Heroes is dedicated to helping the families in Central Virginia cope with childhood cancer and our community’s researchers conquer it. Our mission is to build a community of heroes who provide hope, guidance, and support. 📲 Make a gift / 🦸 Support a Hero / 🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Join us.

Making A Lasting Difference

Supporting Childhood Cancer Families For 20 Years

One family’s need to ensure no other family felt alone paved the way to 20 years of supporting Virginia families facing childhood cancer. Connor Goodwin was just 22-months-old when he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). He would undergo treatment for 2 ½ years. His sister Emily was six-weeks-old when Connor was diagnosed. 

“When Connor was going through treatment, we learned how hard it can be on a family,” says Lisa Ivins, Connor’s Mom. 

Steve Goodwin, Connor’s Dad, remembers, “Time stood still when we learned that Connor had cancer. On the other side of the clinic doors, a different world awaited. Blood transfusions, chemotherapy, hospital stays, immune system compromise. And the unfathomable emptiness of the unknown course of events that lay ahead.”

Filling The Gaps Of Services For Families

Ivins and Goodwin remember the tremendous support their family received from family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and church. Yet, it was still hard. 

“Ever since that fateful day in August of 2003, we have been in awe of the courage of the children who battle cancer and the compassion and selflessness of those who provide care. We are also mindful of the struggles that engulf families during this battle,” says Goodwin.

“We met families who did not have the same support,” recalls Ivins. “We couldn’t imagine how they were doing it.”

While having a son battling cancer, Connor’s parents planned for nearly a year before starting Connor’s Heroes in May 2006 — just two months after Connor finished his cancer treatments.

“We ultimately decided that we could start Connor’s Heroes to fill the gaps in services provided by other nonprofits as well as help fund research,” says Ivins.

Supporting Pediatric Research

In the United States, pediatric cancer is the #1 disease killer of children, but only 4% of federal funding supports research. Connor’s Heroes works to ensure more funding is available locally for childhood cancer research. In November 2007, Connor’s Heroes established a pediatric cancer research endowment fund. The nonprofit was the only childhood cancer organization in Richmond to not only support families but also fund research in Central Virginia.

In April 2025, Connor’s Heroes funded, and continues to fund, Richmond’s first pediatric brain tumor biobank to advance research and treatment at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU. 

“We are so gratified to see the organization have a life far beyond our family and its founders,” says Ivins. 

Connor’s Heroes’ volunteers, donors, and staff work tirelessly to deliver backpacks full of goodies and essentials for hospital stays to children receiving cancer treatments, host fun events like art sessions, and plan the organization’s largest annual fundraiser the Heroes Art Ball.

“Connor’s Heroes has been a part of our family for over 20 years,” explains Ivins. “It has been truly amazing to see our mission put into action.”

Today Connor is preparing to celebrate his 25th birthday. He is a third-year law student at the University of Richmond Law School with dreams of becoming a public defender. 

“Anyone can be a hero,” says Goodwin. “The fact that people continue to give of their time and treasure to help kids with cancer and their families is something for which we are always grateful.”

AUTHOR: Written with support by Michelle Nunnally

This year marks 20 years that Connor’s Heroes has been a part of the community. Connor’s Heroes is dedicated to helping the families in Central Virginia cope with childhood cancer and our community’s researchers conquer it. Our mission is to build a community of heroes who provide hope, guidance, and support. 📲 Make a gift / 🦸 Support a Hero / 🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Join us.

The Creative Escape

We’re All Practicing Artists

Connor’s Heroes’ volunteer and local artist Frankie Slaughter brings fun and creativity to children battling childhood cancer. She has spent more than 10 years working with children currently in treatment or who are post treatment at Heroes Art Sessions.

“We sit down with the kids and their families, and we begin the process of making art,” explains Slaughter. “I don’t think anyone thinks about who is ill because in those moments, we are all practicing artists.”

Creating Joy At Heroes Art Sessions

Heroes Art Sessions are full of opportunity to create with all types of mediums. There’s painting, sewing, clay, watercolors, pastels, and so much more. Everyone is invited to move from one art station to the next, creating individual and collaborative pieces. Connor’s Heroes auctions off the collaborative art pieces at their annual gala, The Heroes Art Ball. Slaughter’s art pieces always start a bidding war with the guests.

For Slaughter, the time she spends with the kids at the Heroes Art Session is as meaningful as finishing a piece of art for a gallery. Slaughter opens her heart and creative spirit when working with the kids. Encouraging them along the way to express their emotions using art.

AUTHOR: Michelle Nunnally

This year marks 20 years that Connor’s Heroes has been a part of the community. Connor’s Heroes is dedicated to helping the families in Central Virginia cope with childhood cancer and our community’s researchers conquer it. Our mission is to build a community of heroes who provide hope, guidance, and support. 📲 Make a gift / 🦸 Support a Hero / 🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Join us.

Art Heals The Soul

Connor’s Heroes Offers Art Sessions To Children With Cancer

Searching for “normal” when your child is diagnosed with childhood cancer can be found in unexpected places. For the Wilkinson family it was the Heroes Art Sessions offered by Connor’s Heroes.

At seven-years-old Anna Wilkinson was just about to begin second grade when she started complaining of headaches and stomach aches. Following several visits to the pediatrician’s office, Anna began having double vision. She was sent for a CT scan.

“I knew it was her brain,” says Anna’s mom, Cynthia.

The CT scan revealed a plum-size tumor in the middle of Anna’s brain. The news devastated her parents. The family was immediately sent to Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU (ChoR). It was September of 2013.

One week after meeting with a pediatric neurosurgeon, Anna underwent surgery to completely remove the brain tumor. The surgery was a success, but what followed would be a testament to Anna and her parents’ ability to push through and overcome a diagnosis of Germinoma, a rare, slow-growing brain cancer that mostly affects children, teens, and young adults.

When Anna awakened from surgery, she could not speak, swallow, sit up, or move the right side of her body. She became septic and was given life-saving antibiotics. As her body recovered, Anna learned she would need to receive both chemotherapy and radiation to fight the cancer.

It was during this time that the Wilkinson family would connect with Connor’s Heroes.

Heroes Art Sessions Connected With Hero Families

Anna’s father, Bill, was with Anna in her hospital room when a representative with Connor’s Heroes came to visit, giving Anna a Heroes Backpack and her dad a Parent Tote.

“I was in disbelief that someone would just drop off a bag full of items that we would need while we were in the hospital,” states Cynthia. She says the family really appreciated the portable DVD player they received as it helped make the trips to and from ChoR as well as the waiting room times easier.

Being home presented its own challenges. Anna could not attend school, gymnastics, or church. She could not visit with her friends. “We felt very alone and isolated,” explains Cynthia.

Meanwhile, Connor’s Heroes was sending the Wilkinson family postcards, inviting them to events open to children receiving cancer treatment. The events and Anna’s ability to attend never matched up early on. Then the day arrived, after months of chemo, radiation, and doctor’s appointments, the Wilkinson family felt ready to attend one of Connor’s Heroes’ art sessions. 

“Art was her favorite class in school and to see her light up over all the beautiful art supplies and blank canvases,” shares Cynthia. “She got to be with kids going through the same thing and looked like her (bald).”

Anna painted her favorite place: the beach. Seeing her paint that day and act “normal” for the first time in a long time brought relief and hope to Anna’s mom.

“She could be herself, be creative, be around other kids,” explains Cynthia. “As parents we started to be able to join a community unlike any other and be able to become vulnerable and share.”

Anna is now 20 and has shown no evidence of cancer since 2014. Treatments have impacted her ability to learn and process quickly, but that has not stopped her from living life to the fullest. Anna attends James Madison University (JMU), travels, exercises, reads, hangs out with friends, and is part of the DACC – Dukes against Childhood Cancer at JMU.

Connor’s Heroes has become a part of the Wilkinson family. They donate their time and money to support other families facing a childhood cancer diagnosis. Anna held a backpack drive for one of her birthdays instead of receiving gifts, and as she has gotten older, she now volunteers at the very Heroes Art Sessions that brought so much normalcy back to her family. 

AUTHOR: Michelle Nunnally

This year marks 20 years that Connor’s Heroes has been a part of the community. Connor’s Heroes is dedicated to helping the families in Central Virginia cope with childhood cancer and our community’s researchers conquer it. Our mission is to build a community of heroes who provide hope, guidance, and support. 📲 Make a gift / 🦸 Support a Hero / 🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Join us.