Aaron’s Bake Sale
In honor of his Bar-Mitzvah, Aaron is working hard to raise as much money as possible for Connor's Heroes. He's off to a good start. His first month of bake sales raised close to a $1000. He plans to host bake sales for five months; baking a different cookie each month. Kids helping kids is very special to our families with Connor's Heroes. Thank you to Temple Beth El for supporting his fundraising campaign.
Hero Art For Sale
You can now purchase online an assortment of products featuring the art lovingly created by our childhood cancer heroes. 100% of your purchase will support our programs such as the Heroes Backpack and gift cards for out-of-town travel and daily expenses. We are happy to ship directly to you. Right now, you can purchase:
Coasters
Notepad
Notecards
Mousepad
Your gift will support all the children who are in treatment and registered with Connor's Heroes.
7th Annual Heroes Art Ball - The Hero Room
While you were enjoying the Heroes Art Ball with your friends, our Hero families were having a party of their own. The Heroes Room is a space where our Hero kids played together and prepared for walking the stage with their inspirational art created for the auction. The children (and parents) had a great time together. Thank you to the volunteers who played with everyone in the Hero Room. A big thank you to the Strum Group for providing all the fun by sponsoring the Hero Room! The Hero Room shows the true spirit of our community of heroes.
7th Annual Heroes Art Ball - The Night
The 7th Annual Heroes Art Ball was an inspirational and fun-filled night. See all that happened in our four hours together. This year's gala raised $265,000, which is $65,000 more than last year's highly successful Heroes Art Ball. This year, Connor's Heroes committed to doubling the amount of support we offer our Hero families throughout all stages of treatment. In addition to our many other programs, families now receive a new ipad mini in the Heroes Backpack, up to $1,000 towards travel expenses for out-of-town treatments or second opinions, $500 for gas, groceries, and daily expenses for each year of their child's treatment, and $1,000 to the funeral home on behalf of a grieving family. Your generosity during the Heroes Art Ball will make a difference in the lives of our childhood cancer heroes.
7th Annual Heroes Art Ball - Our Friends
The Heroes Art Ball is a fun-filled night not only for our childhood cancer families, but the community who support them. Our guests include people from all over the area - including a few who travel from North Carolina, Georgia and NOVA just for the gala! Doctors, researchers, and former patient families enjoy the evening with our board members, business leaders, and event sponsors. We all come together with the purpose of supporting the Heroes of RVA and research conducted in Richmond through the Connor's Heroes Pediatric Cancer Research Fund.
7th Annual Heroes Art Ball - Hero Families
A treasured memento of the Heroes Art Ball is the portrait taken of each family. We are grateful to Jean Lua Photography, Focus on Joy Photography and Greg Wright for volunteering their time and talents to capture so many beautiful moments.
7th Annual Heroes Art Ball - The Kids!
From Ariana to Zoey with Byron, Caleb, Charlie, Graeme, Olivia D., Olivia H., Rosalie, Tay, and William! See all the fun our childhood cancer heroes had at the 7th Annual Heroes Art Ball. Their families had a wonderful evening together thanks to you.
Duck Donuts
Thank you to Duck Donuts for their fundraiser "Quack Gives Back!" Love the name. Love the donuts. They raised enough money for a week's worth of groceries that we can give to a family in gift cards. When a family is desperately using every penny towards their child's survival, every bit of assistance goes a long way. If you are part of a local business who likes to give back to the Richmond community and is passionate about the children battling cancer, you, too, can host a fund raiser for Connor's Heroes. Email erin at connorsheroes dot org.
A Conversation with Dr. Lastrapes
Recently, Lisa talked with Dr. Kelly Lastrapes, Assistant Professor of Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Care at Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU. Kelly received her undergraduate degree from William and Mary, and her medical degree from VCU/MCV School of Medicine. She completed residencies at Children's Hospital of New Orleans (LSU), and her fellowships in oncology and palliative care at VCU. As a native Richmonder, Dr. Lastrapes is happy to be back in her hometown with her family.
Lisa: Dr. Lastrapes, you are currently conducting some interesting research. Can you tell us a little about it?
Dr. Lastrapes: I am very interested in a medical condition called Delirium, which is a global brain dysfunction that is caused by having an underlying medical illness (like cancer). I am trying to understand who is most at risk to get Delirium, what are the long term effects of Delirium, and how we can best treat Delirium in pediatric patients.
Lisa: What are some of the symptoms of Delirium?
Dr. Lastrapes: Hallucinations, paranoia, and agitation are common symptoms. They are related to the underlying disease, medications, and an abnormal environment (e.g. a hospital room or ICU), including disrupted sleep cycles. There are neuro-cognitive implications for patients with Delirium, with potential long-term effects.
Lisa: I understand that there is some new research relating to adult Delirium, but that there is very little information on Delirium in the pediatric population. What are you currently studying?
Dr. Lastrapes: I'm doing a retrospective review of pediatric oncology patients over the past 10 years to determine whether they might have had Delirium that was not previously identified. I hope to use this information to help identify possible risk factors and to be able to look prospectively for potential interventions. If we are able to diagnose Delirium in our patients, then there are ways they can be treated to alleviate the symptoms or the condition altogether. For example, patients can be taught to utilize modifications when they are in the hospital for extended periods of time such as keeping the shades up during the day (to keep the sleep/wake cycle on track), keeping familiar objects and people nearby, and using re-orientation techniques (having a clock with the date and time on the wall). In some instances, a brief treatment course with anti-psychotic drugs can be helpful as well.
Lisa: What is your long-term goal for this research?
Dr. Lastrapes: I want to increase awareness of this debilitating disease to promote early diagnosis and treatment. I'm excited because CHoR has developed a Delirium Task Force in Pediatrics. We are getting ready to begin universal screening for Delirium in the Pediatric ICU.
Lisa: In addition to conducting research into Delirium and serving as a clinician to pediatric hematology/oncology patients, you spend quite a bit of your time focused on Palliative Care.
Dr. Lastrapes: Yes, I am really excited about our expanding supportive care team. When most people hear the term "palliative," they think "end of life." It's much more than that. We focus on symptom management and helping pediatric patients manage their illness by utilizing goals of care to improve patients' quality of life. I am working to help referring physicians and patient families understand that we are a care partner during the treatment of a life-threatening or complex medical condition. We are not simply a support system for a hospice patient.
Lisa: What do you like to do for fun and/or what is your favorite thing about Richmond?
Dr. Lastrapes: I love spending my free time with my family at Forest Hill Park (especially at the Farmer's Market). I am a former singer/dancer/thespian and love that my daughter has become quite the dancer and actress (in three short years).
2017 Heroes Art Ball Entry #1
Here's what a hero looks like! These are some of the guests of the Heroes Art Ball who made the night an incredible success. This year's ball raised the most money ever for childhood cancer families and Dr. Corey's research. Thank you to Kaplan Voekler Cunningham & Frank, PLC for being our social media sponsor.