Capital One Pays It Forward
Why are all these Hero Moms smiling? Because they were handed $25 Visa gift cards that were generously donated by Capital One Technology Operations group led by George Brady. Thank you to our newest board member, and Capital One employee, Tammy, for telling her co-workers about Connor's Heroes. Emily, Tammy's daughter, was diagnosed with Anaplastic Medulloblastoma - a brain tumor. She is nearing three years of being cancer free! Emily and her sister continue to be a part of Connor's Heroes. Recently, they participated in our Hero Art Sessions. Tammy serves on our Program Committee and recently became a member of our Board of Directors.
A Super Day For Thomas
On Facebook, Thomas is Tackling Cancer Again shared the news that Thomas's cancer is spreading. We are devastated as Thomas has been a part of the Connor's Heroes family since 2012. Because Thomas loves football, several of our cancer moms threw an awesome Super Bowl party for Thomas's family and friends. A special Connor's Heroes volunteer ordered up a Richmond GameTruck. We received donations to purchase great snacks. Our friends from HHHunt donated tons of food, entertainment, and secured the great location at the Hallsley club house. There was lots of laughing, smiles and cheering. As the mom of a daughter (who finished treatment) posted on Facebook:
"No words for today...just gratitude and joy. Thomas smiled and had fun and was surrounded by people who love him and love his whole family. Could we be more blessed? Life is not always an easy place nor do things look the way we hoped sometimes. Sometimes it's harder, sometimes way better."
Thank you to our Helping Hero Moms, the Abbott family and HHHunt Homes.
Art 180 and Visual Arts Center partner with Connor’s Heroes
Art 180 is a Richmond non-profit whose mission is to give young people the chance to express themselves through art, and to share their stories with others. Professional artists and volunteers work with youth who face challenging situations. Connor's Heroes is using their studio and resources for some of our monthly Art Sessions. The studio space in Jackson Ward is wonderful. We are excited that our Heroes artwork will be featured in the Art 180 gallery during the month of April and featured on April 1 from 6-9 pm during First Fridays.
Visual Arts Center of Richmond has a mission to engage the community in the creative process through the visual arts. This amazing nonprofit provides opportunities for people to express themselves through over 12 different media. Connor's Heroes also uses their studio and resources for alternating monthly Art Sessions and their studio space is amazing.
At both Art 180 and the Visual Arts Center, we have plenty of room to create the artwork you can bid on at the Heroes Art Ball. The atmosphere has fueled our heroes' creativity. Our photo gallery gives you a sneak peek at their creations. Make sure to visit both locations to learn more about their programs, classes, and ways you can get more involved.
Thank you to the Connor's Heroes Young Professional group who host the monthly sessions.
Discover Art 180 and Visual Arts Center
Be a Young Professional with Connor's Heroes
Thanks to our Young Professionals pictured: John Hopson, Camilo Perdomo, Jennike Duignam, Nora Tetlow, Celia Tetlow, Sarah Cross, Lauren Prezioso, Joy McMillian, Lauren Bruckmann, Katie Sunderman, Makay Carlino, Todd Stonell, Natalie Maixner, and Alison Erfort.
Update On Research
I had the pleasure of hearing Dr. Corey speak to our Board and members of the C4 organization this month. He shared the progress he's made in the few months he's been at the helm of the Connor's Heroes Pediatric Cancer Research Fund at VCU Massey Cancer Center. As we approach our 10 year anniversary, we will build our legacy through improvements in pediatric cancer treatments and finding cures. We are so proud to have initiated bringing pediatric cancer research to Richmond back in 2007. Dr. Corey has set some HUGE goals including doubling the size of the hematology/oncology faculty over the next several years and making Richmond a top 20 institution for pediatric cancer treatment and cures! He plans to expand the neuro-oncology and stem cell transplant departments, as well as palliative care, nursing, and social work for pediatric oncology patients. We are also super excited about his Zebra Fish lab!
Curious to learn more? Dr. Corey's team has a website and Dr. Corey tweets!
Courage For Katie
If you are on Facebook, I encourage you to join the group COURAGE FOR KATIE. Katie's mom is doing an amazing job of sharing her daughter's fight against leukemia. If you ever wondered what it is like to have a child with cancer, her posts will show you the ups, downs, challenges and small miracles these families face. She shares how simple acts of kindness from Connor's Heroes are making a difference. (Take a look at her hospital room that was decorated by a Connor's Heroes volunteer.) Many of her pictures include our other Hero kids and their parents. It is an amazing community! I thought this one photo was especially touching. Katie is on her way to yet another appointment as she prepares for her bone marrow transplant. She's holding hands with her dad who's proudly toting her Connor's Heroes Backpack on his back. Katie is one of a hundred families who suddenly find themselves in the world of cancer. Discover what is in the Connor's Heroes Bags and Backpacks and how you can help fill the next one for a Hero!
Photo credit: Katie's mom, Courage For Katie Facebook group
Thank You to Vino Market
Vino Market in Midlothian had an online auction with the proceeds benefitting Connor's Heroes. The auction was for the ONE remaining bottle of the Peter Michael Au Paradis 2012. It was awarded the #1 wine on Wine Spectators coveted Top 100 Wines of the year list. The winning bid was $600 with a significant amount of the bid donated to Connor's Heroes. We love creative FUNdraisers like Vino's. Contact Connor's Heroes if you have an idea for a fundraiser. Email lisa@connorsheroes.org or call (804) 897-1272.
Start of 2016
Connor's Heroes is proud to be a founding member of C4 - a consortium of childhood cancer organizations helping families in Central Virginia. At the January meeting, the social worker from Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU shared statistics from 2015. We are always so sad to learn the number of children who lost the battle against childhood cancer. While one is one too many, 16 made 2015 an especially difficult year.
As 2016 begins, we are reaching out to new and current Hero families. Our first registration for the year was a beautiful, 4-year-old girl. She has a rare form of cancer called poorly differentiated chordoma of the skull base. She spent nine weeks in treatment in Utah. Her health has taken an unexpected and very difficult turn. The family is back in Richmond taking it one day at a time. Because of our experience helping more than 1,000 families for the past 10 years, Connor's Heroes can reach out to the family in a manner that is compassionate, with understanding and sensitivity. We also are collaborating with other C4 organizations to make sure that she has a wheelchair ramp for her home.
Let's hope 2016 sees a reduction in the number of children facing childhood cancer.
Bringing Holidays To Our Hero Families
The holidays are stressful enough. Adding to the pressure, our Hero kids still have countless appointments, clinic visits, treatments and unexpected trips to the hospital. Moriah was diagnosed with Retinoblastoma when she was less than a month old. This sweet baby has only known a life with cancer. While we drove to and from the malls, her family made more trips to Duke for treatment, often spending several days at a time in North Carolina. Childhood cancer does not take a break for the holidays! We realized it is a good time to call on our community of volunteers. Thanks to a generous gift from an anonymous donor and a grant from the Richmond Christmas Mother Fund, eight Hero families had Secret Santas take care of their holiday wish list.
Our Secret Santas made sure presents were wrapped and delivered right to their doorsteps. Our Hero Santas made deliveries to South Hill and Petersburg and delivered Christmas dinner too! We appreciated the kind email written by the mother of our 17-year-old Hero. She's battling a brain tumor that metastasized to her spine.
This is a program we coordinate, every year, with ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation. We want to thank Johnson Controls, Haley Auto, McGuireWoods LLP, Aaron and Karen for making the holidays special for our Hero families.
Kids Helping Kids 2015
Over the holidays, a Midlothian Girl Scout troop held a bake sale for Connor's Heroes. All the baked goods were priced at just a dollar! Would you believe they raised $500! That's enough to fill five backpacks for the first five children diagnosed with childhood cancer this year. If your scout troop, church group, school service club or family wants to hold a fundraiser for Connor's Heroes, our website is full of simple ideas to get you started.
Guide to Giving
Now's the time to show that you believe every child should not face cancer alone. Childhood cancer is the number one disease killer of children yet it only receives 4% of research funding from the federal government. Connor's Heroes surrounds a family with a community of heroes who help emotionally and financially. Your financial gift makes it possible for Braxton's mom, shown here, to feel there's hope for her baby boy. This is your guide to learn more about the families who need you to support Connor's Heroes with a financial gift made before the year's end.
You can give online at our secure site, www.connorsheroes.org/donate, or mail a check to Connor's Heroes, P.O. Box 2536, Midlothian VA 23113. Thank you!
 |