$265,000 Raised!
"Grateful!" That was the subject of Lisa's remarks made at the 7th Annual Heroes Art Ball. From the beginning, our community of heroes have raised up to support families who have a child battling cancer. This year's gala raised $265,000, which is $65,000 more than last year's highly successful Heroes Art Ball. Because of your generosity during this one night:
- Childhood cancer heroes in our community will continue to receive financial and emotional support through the caring and guiding hands of our staff and volunteers.
- We will support the amazing doctors, nurses, and support staff at the hospital who are on the front lines with our families as they battle cancer.
- Dr. Corey and his team of researchers will have more funding for the amazing research that they are conducting here in Richmond with the hopes of finding discoveries that will benefit childhood cancer worldwide.
This year, Connor's Heroes committed ourselves to doubling the amount of support we offer our heroes throughout all stages of their treatments. 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.
Thank you for your generous outpouring of support and financial gifts to make sure that no young childhood cancer hero will face his/her battle alone. This gallery of photos is the beginning. Look for more photos on our website and social media sites throughout the week.
Hand Painted TOMS
If you are a fan of TOMS footwear, then you will love the array of TOMS on our silent auction site. Each one was hand-painted by the children and artists of Connor's Heroes. Connor's Heroes is delighted to announce our most exciting silent auction yet! Everyone can bid right now, and from home if you cannot attend the Heroes Art Ball. Mobile and online bidding is fun, active, and completely secure! You can view and bid on TOMS, vacation packages, experiences, and apparel - all by using your smartphone or tablet. Purchase tickets, or register today! http://501auctions.com/heroesartball
TOMS donated by Saxon Shoes!
April Art Session
Last one before the Heroes Art Ball on May 5. In fact, you don't have to be at the Science Museum to bid on the art that our Heroes created. Everyone can bid right now, and from home if you cannot attend the Heroes Art Ball. Mobile and online bidding is fun, active and completely secure! You can view and bid on our unique Heroes Art Ball silent auction items by using your smartphone or tablet. Purchase tickets, or register, today! http://501auctions.com/heroesartball
Remembering Two Heroes
Everyone loves cupcakes. Especially when you are a family who is spending the day in clinic. Recently, Erin delivered lunch to the families and staff at clinic. On the table were bright pink boxes of cupcakes. We purchased them thanks to a donation by Thomas Lipani’s grandmother, given in memory of him. We also have bags and bags of delicious snacks donated by D'Marco's family. D'Marco's family now lives in Florida. Lucet, his mom, loves for us to share her DMac Snack Attack with the patients and families who are at the childhood cancer clinic in the hospital. We will never forget these two young men who brought so much joy to our childhood cancer community.
Lunch Bag Donation
In our office are two boxes full of colorful and cheerful lunch bags from Thirty-One. Rebekah and her daughter McKenzie donated them to Connor's Heroes. McKenzie was friends with our hero, Jazmyn. Jazmyn was to attend our 2015 Heroes Art Ball, but she was too sick and ultimately lost her battle to cancer only a few days after the art ball. McKenzie and Jazmyn shared a special friendship. She thinks of Jazmyn a lot and wanted to give back to other childhood cancer heroes.
Sponsor Spotlight: AT&T and The London Company
Thank you to AT&T and The London Company. This is the second time that they are standing with our childhood cancer heroes. They both are SIDEKICK SPONSORS for the 2017 Heroes Art Ball. The sponsors of the Heroes Art Ball are a who's who of area businesses. Because of their generosity, they fund help for our families and research conducted in Richmond through the Connor's Heroes Pediatric Cancer Research Fund.
Lelia’s Rooms
Lelia was admitted for her fourth bone marrow transplant. She is only three years old. Any Hero parent will tell you that one stay in the BMT is hard enough, but three and then a fourth?! Lelia's treatment is all-consuming; requiring the family to shuttle between their home in Ashland and the hospital. Every time that Lelia was admitted, she found her room decorated with new and exciting surprises. From the cheerful pink, Peppa pig (who Lelia loves so much) to the princesses from Frozen. Four groups of volunteers decorated her room each time she was admitted. We want to thank Freya and also Ellen. Ellen cut short her beach vacation so she could have Lelia's room ready when she was admitted. We were especially touched by Lelia's "Wall of Encouragement." It was lovingly created by a young volunteer. Taylor, with help from his sister Izzy and mom Katie.
"The reason I made the "Wall of Encouragement" for Lelia is because she and her family are going through a scary time. Lelia has to show her amazing bravery. I already look up to her. I have high hopes Lelia will win her war against this sickness," said Taylor. Izzy added, "Although Lelia is going through tough times, I hope the love we put into her room makes her smile! We picked out the the stuffed animal rabbit. It has a special message for her to hug it whenever times get hard."
Thank you to Katie, Taylor, Izzy, Freya and Ellen for decorating Lelia's rooms! It is because of your support that Connor's Heroes can help a family every step of the way.
Virginia This Morning
Olivia joined Lisa on the set of WTVR's program "Virginia This Morning." Lisa sat down with host Jessica Noll and shed light onto the number of children in Central Virginia who are battling childhood cancer and the important research that Connor's Heroes is funding. Olivia painted a painting while Lisa talked about the upcoming Heroes Art Ball. She was a natural for the camera.
Sponsor Spotlight: HF Hill, Atlantic Bulk Carrier, Stoli
HF Hill is more than a company to me. When Pam and Hugh's daughter was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2010, Connor's Heroes was there to help. After that, Pam joined our Board of Directors, and the family was steadfast in raising money for the Connor's Heroes Pediatric Cancer Research Fund, which helped, in no small part, to bring Dr. Corey to Richmond. HF Hill, Atlantic Bulk Carrier and Stoli are BACKPACK SPONSORS for the Heroes Art Ball. How appropriate since it was our Heroes Backpack that brought the Hill Family into our community of heroes.
Lelia’s Room Part 2
Remember, Lelia who's room we recently decorated? Here's what her grandmother said about it! Thank you for allowing our volunteers and staff to help children like Lelia who are battling cancer. You also allow us to support Dr. Corey's research through our research fund.
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