CarMax Volunteers
We are grateful to this volunteer crew from CarMax. They spent four hours working in our office on southside and the storage room at U-Turn on the west side of town. This wasn't easy work. They built shelves, moved furniture, cleaned out offices used for storage and organized the toys, books, blankets, snacks and crafts generously donated by you over the summer. Of course, the most meaningful project was when they filled the Heroes Backpacks. They carefully picked each toy, book or stuffed animal knowing that we would give the Heroes Backpack to a child or teen when they first learn that they have cancer. Words no parent expects to hear. Thank you to Jay Bostain, our contact in Richmond, for arranging the team.
RVA Cures Open House
What a wonderful crowd for our open house on September 28, 2017 at the exhibition RVA Cures at UR Downtown. Dr. Corey talked about how his research is always with the kids in mind. He came to the reception after being in DC where he was reviewing NIH grants. He said of all the grants discussed, none were for pediatric cancer research. It was a sobering reality of why we must fight for a cure and more money for research. He was very excited that Richmond will host the Mid-Atlantic Zebrafish Consortium in March. It is a wonderful opportunity for Connor's Heroes to meet other researchers who are using zebrafish to unlock the secrets of childhood cancer.
RVA Cures is an exhibition of Kristin Seward's photography. Each picture captures moments when children and caregivers showed incredible strength and courage, and the exciting research that is happening in Richmond, Virginia. Lining the walls of the gallery are a hundred, wooden zebrafish in sizes from 18 inches to 8 foot long. Richmond artists or the young children who are part of Connor's Heroes painted each zebrafish. The zebrafish are available for sale or auction at www.501auctions.com/rvacures. The exhibit runs September 1, 2017 - January 19, 2018 at the Wilton Companies Gallery, University of Richmond Downtown, 626 E. Broad Street. It is free and open to the public.
A message from Lisa Goodwin
One Person Can Make a Difference to a Child With Cancer
September's Childhood Cancer Awareness Month has ended for another year. Many of you who have been touched by childhood cancer ask me: Why aren't more people outraged at the lack of federal funding focused on our children? How can I encourage our community to support pediatric cancer research in Richmond? What more can I do to help families who have a child battling cancer? How can I keep awareness going year-round, not just in September?
I must admit that it is overwhelming to think about all of the children (and their families) who are currently battling cancer in Central Virginia. Every week I learn about a child who has either received a diagnosis of cancer, suffered a complication, is devastated to learn the cancer has returned, or gained their angel wings. We watch families suffer incredible financial hardship and endure unimaginable stress and heartache. The reality that cancer is the #1 disease-killer of children hits home. And yet, I am amazed by the heroes who rise up to provide tremendous support for these families.
One person can make a difference in the life of a childhood cancer family! That person is YOU!
Connor's Heroes lets you be a hero. We get to know each family and learn where they need help the most. That means we have a way for you to volunteer. We have a need for every dollar you donate. We value every service you provide. We are grateful for you being our ambassador in the community.
I invite you to learn more about our childhood cancer heroes - the children battling, their siblings, parents, and caregivers, the nurses, doctors, and researchers who provide support today and hope for a cure for tomorrow. They are the focus of an exhibition called RVA Cures: Conquering Childhood Cancer. The gallery is filled with beautiful photographs and original art painted by our childhood cancer heroes and area artists. After you see RVA Cures, you will be touched, you will learn more, and hopefully you will be inspired!
I hope you will not forget.
Our children (like TayNeise pictured with me above) need you now more than ever, as September ends and the next season begins.
Learn more about the exhibition, RVA Cures, and Dr. Corey's research at our website: RVA CURES
RVA Cures in Richmond Magazine
Thank you to Richmond Magazine reporter, Tharon Giddens, for the interview with Kristin Seward about the photography exhbition downtown called RVA Cures. An excerpt is below, and be sure to read the full article at: richmondmagazine.com/life-style/health/faces-in-the-crowd/
Faces in the Crowd: A new exhibit seeks to broaden the view of pediatric cancer
by Tharon Giddens, September 21, 2017... Seward became a chronicler of kids' cancer in 2015 after hearing that her obstetrics doctor, Katie Tyson, had a son, Callen, who had leukemia. She didn’t know Tyson well at the time, but reached out to the physician to see if Tyson would be willing to share her family’s story in a blog that Seward was writing at the time on people she found inspiring.
Seward spent time with the Tysons, and a friendship developed. They talked about what life is like for families battling cancers in their children, and how most people never saw what was going on beyond the photos of smiling, bald kid patients sometimes seen in fundraisers for various hospitals and nonprofits. They wanted to show “a different, a very real side of it, and do it in a way that preserves their dignity,” says Seward. “People don’t see behind the scenes.”
She started following Callen’s story. He’s now in remission, she says.
Tyson in turn introduced Seward to other families in similar situations. They’re a “tribe of families,” Seward says: “When you’re going through the same thing, you band together.”
Our Heroes
More kids helping kids! Ruby, Audrey, Felix and Ben raised $555 by selling lemonade, baked goods and homemade dog treats. They held the sale in memory of their neighbor Con Beausang. Also, here's Tallulah. To celebrate turning 8, she asked her friends to give gifts for our patients and not to her. Little acts of kindness from our littlest friends make a big difference to our childhood cancer heroes. Thank you!
More Zebrafish
Iin preparation for the opening of RVA Cures, kids and siblings worked on the small zebrafish. They painted over 80 wooden zebrafish. You can see these colorful school of fish swimming downtown at our exhibit, RVA Cures. RVA Cures is open, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. at University of Richmond Downtown. They are located at 626 E. Broad Street. If you work downtown, take a moment to stop by. You can purchase these fish for $100 each, all of which will directly support the zebrafish research happening in Richmond and that is supported by your donations to the Connor's Heroes Pediatric Cancer Research Fund.
Caleb’s Room
Caleb was admitted to the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit for his second BMT. Volunteers Ashley Wright and Tara Horne tag teamed to decorate his room in time. Ashley and Tara had help from Freya Koehne and Caleb's grandfather. Caleb's grandfather and his dad are fire fighters at a local fire house. Caleb's grandpa made the banner and the firefighters at the house signed it. Firefighters are Caleb's heroes, lifting his spirits as he goes through another round of treatment. It touches our hearts when our volunteers are attentive to these details. See the volunteer page of our website if you are moved to help childhood cancer families in Richmond.
NBC 12 Features Connor’s Heroes
For close to 2 minutes, NBC12 VP and General Manager, Kym Grinnage told why he believes that Connor's Heroes is making a difference for our childhood cancer heroes, and all of you who support us.
Watch Viewpoint hosted by Kym Grinnage
Amazon Promotes Childhood Cancer
If you shop using Amazon, you can find a wish list of items we need to help our families. It has a variety of toys, toiletries, and electronics. You can order from home and ship it directly to our office. (Maybe it will arrive in a gold ribbon box!) As always, use Amazon Smile and a percentage of your purchase is sent to us as donation to fund our programs. Bookmark these links:
CHF Wish List
Smile.Amazon for CHF
RVA Cures Is Coming
Behind-the-scenes peek of photographer Kristin Seward and CHF Board Member, Katie T., setting up the RVA Cures exhibition at University of Richmond downtown. They took a break to do an interview with Amy Lacey, too. RVA Cures tells the stories of children, caregivers, and researchers in our community who are facing childhood cancer. Special moments are captured in the exquisite photos of Kristin's Lens Of Hope series. RVA Cures runs September 1, 2017 - January 19, 2018. The highlight of RVA Cures are the walls covered with more than 100 wooden zebrafish ranging in size from 18 inches to 8 feet long. Richmond artists, well-known and emerging, along with our own young cancer patients hand-painted each fish in their creative styles. Every fish is available for sale or auction. Your purchase is given straight to the Connor's Heroes Pediatric Cancer Research Fund.
Learn about the exhibit and hours its open, visit. http://downtown.richmond.edu/gallery/rva-cures.html
Learn more about RVA Cures and how it will bridge the gap in funding for childhood cancer research, visit: www.connorsheroes.org/rvacures
See the catalog of zebrafish available for sale or auction: www.501auctions.com/rvacures