Hero Art’s New Home
Love, love, love seeing our hero's art in its new home. Heather won the painting by our hero Drew, his brother, Bryce, and our hero artist Camilo Perdomo. Camilo had the kids splatter paint on the canvas. He then outlined the face of the chicken. It's partner piece was a beautiful cat. Heather posted on her facebook page:
"Soooo excited for my newest addition to operation renovate and decorate! I bought this one from the Connor's Heroes Foundation Heroes Art Ball and just got it back from being framed. It was painted by the cutest little boy who was battling cancer and an artist helper."
Save the date for the 2017 Heroes Art Ball: Friday, May 5 at the Science Museum Of Virginia!
Dr. Corey’s Lab
Several friends of Connor's Heroes had the distinct honor of getting a behind-the-scenes tour of Dr. Corey's lab! Austin said:
It was amazing to see the work being done by these scientists day in and day out with little zebra fish (they aren't using mice but rather fish- SO cool) to test disease and medications that will affect and hopefully cure generations for years to come. We are inspired by the dedication and efforts of Lisa and her team at Connor's Heroes. Her son was cured from cancer years ago and she has dedicated her life's work to helping other families going thru the same. We love going to their fun art ball and auction in the spring and it's really cool to see what they do with the money donated. This is a great local organization and I would highly recommend checking them out.
Thank you to Dr. Corey and Dr. Usua Oyarbide for taking the time to show us your lab.
Creating A Home Away from Home For Caleb
Caleb is a 19-year-old who underwent a bone marrow transplant this summer. We first met Caleb in 2015 after his diagnosis of AML (Pediatric Acute Myeloid Leukemia). He finished his treatment and the family was looking forward to the next stage of their journey. Unfortunately, he recently relapsed. Because Caleb was already registered with Connor's Heroes, we offered assistance as soon as we learned he was scheduled for a bone marrow transplant. Our volunteers, Monica and her daughters, glammed up his room with handpainted quotes on the walls, a friendly door sign, and Dallas Cowboys memorabilia. Erin visits him in the hospital every week. She gives the family gift cards for Kroger and Shell. (She will slip an iTunes card just for Caleb.) Mostly, she gives them parking passes. (Parking is one of the "hidden" expenses of childhood cancer that adds up quickly.) This is a great example of how deeply Connor's Heroes understands what families are going through.
If your child is battling childhood cancer and was diagnosed in Richmond, Virginia, REGISTER with Connor's Heroes so you have a community of heroes to support your child.
If you want to volunteer to decorate rooms, fill out our VOLUNTEER application.
10 Facts About Childhood Cancer
The St. Baldrick's Foundation published a blog with new research stats on childhood cancer. Some statistics are still the same, but what alarmed researchers is the fact that more children are diagnosed with cancer worldwide. According to a study by the World Health Organization, every two minutes a child is diagnosed with cancer. One thing is for certain, we are grateful to have The Connor's Heroes Pediatric Cancer Research Fund funding research for cancer's youngest patients right here in Richmond. The following ten facts were taken from the blog post: http://www.stbaldricks.org/blog/post/childhood-cancer-facts-10-things-you-should-know
1. Childhood cancer is the number one disease killer of children in the U.S.
It’s the second leading cause of death (following accidents) in children ages 5-14.
2. Every two minutes a child is diagnosed with cancer.
That’s 300,000 kids around the world every year.
3. The average age of a child diagnosed with cancer is 6.
Childhood cancer is diagnosed in all ages, from newborn infants to children and young adults.
4. 80% of children diagnosed with cancer are in developing countries.
Childhood cancer is a global problem, and one institution can’t solve it alone.
5. The most common childhood cancer is acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
In the 1950s, almost every kid with ALL died. But today, thanks to childhood cancer research, about 90% of children with ALL will survive.
6. In 80% of kids with cancer, the cancer has already spread to other areas of the body by the time it is diagnosed.
That’s why so many children with cancer need to begin treatment right away. Many adult cancers can be diagnosed early.
7. Much of what we know about treating adult cancers has been learned from childhood cancer research.
Some aspects of cancer treatment today, such as combination chemotherapy, can be traced to pediatric cancer research.
8. There are over a dozen types of childhood cancer and hundred of different subtypes.
The more rare types — when added together — account for about 30% of cancers in children and adolescents. But because so few children are diagnosed with each type, it’s very difficult to do research on these cancers.
9. One in five children diagnosed with cancer in the U.S. will not survive.
For the ones who do, the battle is never over.
10. Because of the treatments they had as kids, by the time they’re in their 30s or 40s, more than 95% of childhood cancer survivors will have a chronic health problem and 80% will have severe or life- threatening conditions.
Children should not only survive, but thrive.
Christmas in July
We celebrate Christmas In July for the families visiting VCU Children's Hospital for clinic. Erin brings bins full of toys, games, books, activities and so much more. Kids are invited to take what they wanted to fill a Connor's Heroes shopping bag. Everything in the bins came from donations by our generous community. That's not all the fun. Erin sets up a table full of crafts. As the children wait for their appointments, they make an assortment of decorations, toys, and even a crown. Who knew that paper plates and tissue paper could be so many different things? Clinic is also a time for Erin to check in with families. She hands out gift cards and food vouchers. One dad shared how much the gas gift cards help with the weekly drives to/from the hospital.
Our clinic craft days happen throughout the month. If you would like to volunteer in the future, complete the volunteer application found here: www.connorsheroes.org/get-involved/volunteer-inquiry. If you want to help families with financial support, you can donate gift cards for popular online merchants, restaurants, grocery stores, and gas stations. Mail them to our office at PO Box 2536, Midlothian VA, 23113.
Remembering D’Marco
What a wonderful surprise at our office. Two teachers from Hermitage H.S. dropped off fleece blankets made by the classmates of our hero (now angel) D'Marco. D'Marco was the young man who inspired his classmates with his graduation speech made before he entered the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit. It was there that he lost his battle against cancer. Before the end of the school year, his school counselors invited his buddy Savanna to talk to the students about her experience with cancer. Most touching was when she talked about the wonderful friendship that she and D'Marco shared. Thank you to counselors, Jaime Conklin and Renee Zando, and the students. If you have a moment, read more about D'Marco and his legacy: www.connorsheroes.org/whats-happening/teen-hero
Impressions of Courage Needs You!
By donating an article of clothing, you can be a part of a public art project in Richmond during September's Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. It's called "Impressions of Courage" - a 1,000-foot long banner printed with the clothes and names of cancer heroes. Your hero is a patient, a caregiver or a friend. This is our opportunity to make sure that cancer's youngest patients are represented in this public display of cancer in our community. Keep reading on how you can memorialize your cancer hero.
1) Gather an outfit. Make sure it is a complete outfit (i.e. pants and shirt). The outfit does not have to be the honoree's actual clothing, just represent him/her. For example, a mother donated toddler-sized pajamas because her son was a toddler when he was diagnosed. You can donate a dress, hospital scrubs, play clothes, etc. Note: Outfits will be destroyed in the printing process and will not be returned.
2) Download and complete the registration form.
3) Bring your outfit and registration form to Connor's Heroes (11512 Allecingie Parkway, North Chesterfield 23235) during our office hours of Monday-Thursday, 10a-3p. Questions or to arrange a drop-off, email ceci@connorsheroes.org.
4) Join us on September 10 for the creation of the banner, called a collagraph. A collagraph is a print making process. Art On Wheels will take your article of clothing, place it on a rigid substance and cover it with ink. They will then make an impression of the outfit on a piece of fabric. Pieced together, they hope to make the world's longest collagraph in the city's Scott's Addition.
Art On Wheels has information and registration at http://artonwheels-va.org/impressions-of-courage/
July 4 Run 2016
July 4 was wet, but the rain didn't dampen the spirits of the runners for the Brandermill 7.4k on July 4th. Proceeds from the race benefitted Connor's Heroes. More than 170 runners participated. Baker's Kitchen even baked a batch of cupcakes to raise more money for our hero families. The holiday fun was to continue with the first-ever Connor's Heroes Parade Float. Hero Mom, Chrissy, organized her family and fellow cancer heroes in decorating a truck and trailer. Families were ready to ride the float and wave for Connor's Heroes. Mother Nature had other plans. The organizers canceled the Brandermill Parade. Oh well, maybe next year. Thank you to:
Ashley, CHF Board Member, for organizing the run,
Chrissy, Grace's mom, for organizing a team of volunteers who decorated the float,
Jimmy Whitten, Whittens Brothers & CHF Board Member, for loaning us the truck and trailer,
Brandermill July 4 7.4k Sponsors: Lucky Foot/ Lucky Road Run Shop, Primrose School of Swift Creek, Primrose School of Midlothian at Waterford and the Brandermill Neighborhood.
Bowlers for our Heroes
Thank you to Strikes For Heroes for choosing Connor's Heroes as their designated charity. Through their bowling league, they raised $5,736.75 for our programs. Families plan for college, vacations and expenses. They don't plan on a child having cancer. Strikes for Heroes means we can continue to help families by offering a helping hand and emotional support. We couldn't do it without the support of community groups like Strikes For Heroes!
Goochland Drive-In with our Heroes
In June, we invited our Hero families to a night at the Goochland Drive-In to see the movie "Finding Dory." Unfortunately, as the movie started, the storm swept in forcing us to "abandon ship!" Thankfully, everyone made it home safely. Our staff and volunteers work hard to plan fun outings for our Hero families. Your financial gifts to Connor's Heroes allow us to make the arrangements and offer them at no charge.