Momcology 2024
Childhood Cancer Hero Moms Relax & Connect
It was with great excitement that Connor’s Heroes sponsored its second Momcology retreat. 14 courageous hero moms came together for a transformative weekend in Sandbridge. These incredible women, all of whom are mothers caring for children with cancer, experienced a rare opportunity to connect, reflect, and heal.
“Momcology was a wonderful opportunity for moms to build connections and relationships with one another. I enjoyed spending quality time with Connor’s Heroes moms and learning more about their families in a more intimate setting.” — Jillian, Connor’s Heroes Program Director
Momcology & Connor’s Heroes Teamed Up
Momcology is a national nonprofit founded in 2011 by mothers of children with cancer. Their team of trained facilitators travel the country to host restorative retreat weekends for moms. Our first retreat took place in 2019. Though COVID temporarily paused the event’s return, we brought it back this year.
At the retreat, these moms formed deep bonds with one another, shared stories, raw emotions, and the challenges they face in their children’s cancer journeys. Through tears and laughter, they found solace in knowing they are not alone. Together, they explored not only what cancer has taken from them, but discovered their strength and resiliency.
On Instagram, one hero mom described the experience:
”So incredibly glad I stepped out of my comfort zone to attend this Momcology event… I found healing in myself I didn’t know I needed and relationships that have forever impacted my life.”
Thank You To Our Donors & Volunteers
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, Connor’s Heroes made sure the retreat was completely free to the moms. More moms attended and benefitted from this life-changing experience. By covering the costs, you gifted these women the opportunity to focus on themselves, recharge, and return home with renewed energy and insights to care for themselves and their families.
A big thank you to everyone who pulled together to give the hero moms this experience. Your generosity changed their lives.
Dionne DiBlasio (Massage Therapist) • Catherine’s Catering • Homemades by Suzanne • Ashley Maglidt (Massage Therapist) • Peace, Love and Little Donuts • Carolyn Perry (Massage Therapist) • Terri Phillips (Massage Therapist) • Abbie Korman • Kristin Watkins • Kelly Freel • Shyndigz • Sandbridge Civic Association
October Heroes Art Session
Heroes Art Session Is Halloween Fun For Childhood Cancer Heroes
Our October Heroes Art Session was a gourd-ishly good time, filled with spooky fun that brought out the Halloween spirit in everyone!
The kids went all out painting pumpkins. They transformed them into boo-tiful works of art. Our volunteers, who always go above and beyond, conjured up some wickedly creative craft stations. Kids learned calligraphy, made glitter shakers, and set up a photo booth. There was no shortage of fang-tastic activities to keep everyone busy.
Halloween may be spooky, but the strength and bravery of these kids is what inspire us. The Heroes Art Session is a time to celebrate them, while creating monstrously fun memories.
Hero Families: Aschemund, Augie, Charlotte, Jericho, June, Lauren, Nikola, and Tecumseh
Volunteers: Olivia, Gurbani, Vishnu, Allison, Taylor, Sheldon, Margo, Chastity, Kristie, Emily, Maddie, Nancy, Hannah, Jess, and Sophie
Photo Credit: Taylor / IG @tbphotography_2023 and Sheldon
Photobooth Pics: Margo Asay
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: Chesapeake Bank
Today’s Helping Hero Is Chesapeake Bank.
Chesapeake Bank is a community bank serving the Richmond and Williamsburg areas who goes beyond banking. Each year, Chesapeake Financial Shares holds a large-scale training day that ends with a community service project. They heard about the good things that Connor’s Heroes does for childhood cancer hero families, and thought we would be the perfect charity partner. They contacted Dayna, Program and Volunteer Manager, with a big idea inspired by an even bigger heart.
Together, we organized one of the largest volunteer service project in Connor’s Heroes history, involving 300 enthusiastic Chesapeake Bank employees.
The employees put together 450 care packages, including “thinking of you” gift bags for children in the hospital, gourmet coffee packs for parents, and boxes filled with great snacks. Chesapeake Bank funded the purchase of toys, crafts, snacks, coffee, whatever was needed. The project was so massive, we rented a U-Haul to drive everything from Williamsburg back to our Richmond office!
This incredible effort shows what can happen when a community comes together to support children fighting cancer and their families.
You Can Be A Helping Hero, Too!
If you work for a company who wants to make a difference like Chesapeake Bank did, Connor’s Heroes makes it easy for you. Email Dayna at dayna@connorsheroes.org with your contact information and budget. She will talk with you about the ways your team can volunteer. We have in-person and virtual volunteer opportunities. You too can be a hero to a child with cancer!
2024 Hero Squad
2024 Hero Squad Surpassed Their Goal
Congratulations to the 2024 Hero Squad for their incredible achievement to raise nearly $20,000 during September’s Childhood Cancer Awareness Month — surpassing their goal.
This dedicated group of compassionate individuals came together with the shared purpose: to support children facing their toughest battle — cancer. Nominated by Connor’s Heroes Board of Directors, their co-workers, and even hero families, the Hero Squad are passionate about giving back, especially to help children.
Congratulations to Lindsay Fulton for being our top fundraiser. Lindsay signed up for the Hero Squad to honor the childhood cancer hero she knows, Kasen. Kasen is a courageous six-year-old in treatment for ALL.
Hero Squad Soiree
We celebrated the Hero Squad with a special party, The Hero Squad Soiree, at Richmond’s top BBQ spot, ZZQ. One of our hero patients, Lindsey, now a sophomore at High Point University, shared her heartfelt story. She reminded us that when we rally as a community, we all become heroes in the fight against childhood cancer.
If you believe in the power of giving back and want to make a lasting impact on children in your community, consider signing up for the Hero Squad (coming September 2025). For the students and teens, we offer the Jr. Hero Squad during the summer. Find out more by visiting: https://www.connorsheroes.org/hero-squad/
2024 Hero Squad
Lauren Bruns • Austin Chinn • Jessi Cole • Jason Ericson • Lindsay Fulton • Jack Griffin • Taylor Anne Moffett • Natalie Peloquin • Alexandra Povlishock • Kelly Sarver • Maggie Smith • Tiffany Smith • Christina Thomas • Jessica Utz • Stella Varga
Join The Hero Squad
The Hero Squad is made up of professionals who have a heart for philanthropy. As a member of the Hero Squad, you commit to raise $1,000 for children with cancer in September for September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. The Jr. Hero Squad is open to preschool through high school students who try to aise $500 during the summer. READ MORE: www.connorsheroes.org/hero-squad/
Special Delivery for Jr. Chefs
Get ready for a new crew of Top Chefs Junior! These hero kids are ready to test out their culinary skills with gift boxes from Connor’s Heroes. Knowing how much they love to cook, we surprised them with gift boxes mailed straight to their homes. Inside were mixing bowls, measuring cups, aprons, recipe book, cookie mix, rolling pins, kitchen timer, cookie sheets, grocery gift card, and cookie cutters. And a gift card to their favorite grocery store so they could shop for ingredients.
These kiddo master chefs can create mouthwatering dishes with their families. They’re ready to plate up some serious flavor. BAM! Let the culinary magic begin!
Families received these gift boxes thanks to a partnership with Capital One. The team loved sending the kids cooking kits. They purchased everything we needed and packed them up in Connor’s Heroes trademark blue boxes.
By sending these gift boxes, we not only brought smiles to the kids but also reassured their parents that we’re here for them.
Mellow Mushroom Pizza Party!
Connor’s Heroes hosted our annual Make Your Own Pizza Party with childhood cancer hero families. The event is so popular, we needed two days. We hosted it on Saturday and Sunday. 40 families came ready to make their own pizza pies.
The Pizza Party is a chance for childhood cancer hero families to be together and have fun. Families picked out their favorite toppings – from pepperoni to pineapple, cheese to veggies – and created their pizza masterpieces! They walked them over to Mellow Mushroom’s big brick oven and then… Incredibile, è ora di mangiare la pizza!! (Thank you Google Translate)
A big thank you to Susan and the team at Mellow Mushroom. Susan donates the pizzas, staff, and venue because she cares so much about the hero families. Looking at the photos, you can see how much the kids enjoyed being Pizza Chefs. For the parents, the party is a chance to do something fun together as a family.
2024 Circle Of Heroes
2024 Circle Of Heroes Reception
The Circle Of Heroes Reception honored the individuals who generously give at the leadership level to Connor’s Heroes. This year’s reception featured two powerful speakers: a mom whose child is currently benefiting from Connor’s Heroes support, and the mom who founded the organization. Together, they shared their emotional journeys and the impact Connor’s Heroes has had on their families.
“Mommy, take a bow!”
Elizabeth’s son James was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) in 2021. Now four years old and in post treatment, James stood proudly by his mom’s side as she reflected on the early days of his treatment. The iPad in his Heroes Bag and Backpack got him through his first hospital stays. A time she described as “raw and scary.”
Elizabeth, James, and her husband Joe continue to find a community of support through Connor’s Heroes. The family loves the Heroes Art Sessions and other family events — especially the End Of Summer party at Hardywood.
“I’ll never forget taking him to the party at Hardywood. It was the first time I got to watch him play with another child since he was diagnosed,” Elizabeth said describing an important moment in his cancer journey.
“Can’t do what we do without you.”
The next speaker, Lisa, brought the evening full circle. Lisa is the mom to a very special hero: Connor. The family started Connor’s Heroes in 2006 after Connor was diagnosed with ALL (the same cancer as Elizabeth’s son James) when he was a preschooler. Today, Connor is a law student at UofR!
Lisa reflected on how much the nonprofit has grown — from increasing patient support to funding critical research, all with support from the community. “Connor’s Heroes has stayed true to its mission. I am gratified to see how far it has come and how far it is going to go!”
Elizabeth and Lisa represented two sides of the same powerful story: a mother who discovered a community of heroes ready to help, and the other, a mother who ensured that no family would face their child’s cancer alone.
Leave a legacy to children with cancer
If you want to be a part of our Circle of Heroes, contact Celia, Executive Director. You can email her at celia@connorsheroes.org or call (804) 897-1272. You can easily give online — even setting up monthly payments to make giving easier. Click here for our secure website.
You may want to leave a lasting legacy to children with cancer. Visit our website to learn how you can donate securities, donor advised funds, or planned gifts. https://www.connorsheroes.org/legacy-giving/
Thank you to Nicholas Ratcliff for taking photos at the reception, and to The Heritage for hosting.
Today's Helping Hero: Closet Factory & In Good Order
Today’s Helping Hero is Closet Factory & In Good Order
Megan Underwood with Closet Factory creates the custom closet of your dreams. Celia contacted Megan with a special request from a special family. The mom of a teenage girl, Aaliyah, needed to get her closet in order before she was discharged from the hospital after a long two month stay. Megan and her design team got to work.
Can you believe this is the SAME closet???
With the right shelving and organization, Aaliyah’s small closet was transformed. Mary at In Good Order came to help organize everything. What a dream team.
If you are a company with a service (i.e. electrician, small job contractor, landscaper, auto mechanic, etc.) you think would help a hero family, please contact us. We might have a (volunteer) “job” for you! Email Dayna, our Program & Volunteer Manager, or call her at the office (804) 897-1272.
September Heroes Art Session
Falling Into Fall
Childhood cancer heroes and their families spent the afternoon creating wonderful Fall crafts. The children made vibrant sun catchers that shined like fall leaves in the sunlight. They painted trees with colorful fall leaves. They connected with nature through terrarium-making. Each child created tiny, ecosystems using dirt, stones, little decorations, and beautiful air ferns. Watching the children create reminded us that the changing beauty of autumn can be captured not just in nature, but in the art we create.
We are grateful to the volunteers who created with the children. It was really special to have a team of pediatric oncology nurses who work on the 12th Floor where most of our heroes are admitted when they are in the hospital. The nurses enjoyed seeing the kids outside of the hospital.
Hero Families: Aschemund, Caleb, Charlotte, Kennedy, Ruby, Tay, Tecumseh
Volunteers: Adelaide, Ashton, Brittany, Emily, Gurbani, Gracie, Kristie, Laura, Maddie, Meredith, Nancy, Olivia #1, Olivia #2, Phyllis
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.
Go Gold In September
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. A month when the world is asked to “Go Gold” for pediatric cancer. Gold was chosen to represent pediatric cancer because gold is a precious metal. And children are our most precious treasure.
Go Gold is also an opportunity for local businesses to support local childhood cancer heroes. Discover how you can shop and give back to hero families.
If you’re a fashionista, sneakerhead, or heel fanatic who loves one-of-a-kind footwear, then check out Saxon Shoes in Short Pump. Saxon Shoes partnered with local artists who hand-painted pairs of shoes. How do you get your hands on these shoes? You gotta win them in Saxon’s online auction.
Proceeds will benefit Connor’s Heroes and two other worthy nonprofits (who also help childhood cancer hero families) – ASK and Noah’s Children. The bidding is now open. It ends on September 30 at 6 pm. Saxon Shoes is at Short Pump Town Center.
Once again, our friends at Once Upon A Child in Midlothian will stand up for childhood cancer heroes with a fundraiser during September’s Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Every FRIDAY in September — 15% of your purchase is given back to Connor’s Heroes.
Once Upon A Child buys and sells gently used kids & teens’ clothes, shoes, toys. You can find your favorite brands at affordable prices. And help children who are battling cancer.
Once Upon A Child in Midlothian is at 9770 Midlothian Turnpike. Come by on Fridays.