Ceci Hull

❝Seeing the new Wonder Tower, I envisioned how Connor’s Heroes can elevate and support the childhood cancer community in the new space. As a parent of a childhood cancer hero, I was amazed at how much VCU/CHoR has evolved over the last 10 years when my daughter was in treatment. Strategic planning helped me recognize what are our superpowers as an organization. Which, ultimately is, the personal touch and focus on supporting childhood cancer families during an unimaginable time.❞ — Tammy Griffin, Chair, Connor’s Heroes Board

Connor’s Heroes Board of Directors and staff spent a weekend diving into a Strategic Plan to get us through the next three years. With the Wonder Tower opening Spring 2023 and families receiving the largest amount of financial support (on average $2,500 a year), Connor’s Heroes is facing an exciting future. We’ve built a reputation among local childhood cancer families as THE nonprofit who knows that the best way to help a family is to get to know a family.

Facilitating the process was Anne Chamberlain. Anne is a local consultant who specializes in group facilitation and leadership development. We know her as simply as “Becca’s mom.” Anne’s experience as a “cancer mom” and friend of Connor’s Heroes enriched the strategic planning experience. Also thank you to our friends at Phlow and CHoR for hosting our crew.

On Saturday, the Board had an exclusive hard-hat tour of the Wonder Tower. A few board members had seen the space in its early stages (when offices were mapped out with cardboard boxes). When they walked in, they immediately said “Wow!” They walked through the five Rooms Filled with Hope. These five rooms are designed for the care and comfort of childhood cancer heroes on the expanded hematology and oncology floor. Each room is designed around the personalized support Connor’s Heroes is known for. The Connor’s Heroes rooms will be much-needed spaces for our staff, volunteers, healthcare teams, researchers, and hero families.

Board members left the two-day session feeling uplifted, inspired, and focused on Connor’s Heroes mission. It’s three words… Hope… Guidance… Support.

Visit our “About Us” to see the members of our current Board of Directors: https://www.connorsheroes.org/about-us/#board-members 

Connor’s Heroes marked the conclusion of September’s Childhood Cancer Awareness Month with a reception for our Circle of Heroes. The Circle Of Heroes are people who generously commit an annual gift of $1,000 or more for the childhood cancer heroes who need Connor’s Heroes.

Celia, Connor’s Heroes Staff (Erin, Anne-Randolph, and Ceci) and our Board of Directors loved hearing from our donors about why Connor’s Heroes is important to them.

Taking a moment to thank our donors was our guest speaker, Juliet. Juliet is a hero mom to Meya. Meya finished treatment for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma — a big milestone for her and the family.

We were lucky to have it at a new restaurant in Richmond that is getting a lot of buzz. Cocodrilo was named by Richmond magazine as one of its top new restaurants.

If you want to be a part of our Circle of Heroes, contact Celia. You can email her at celia@connorsheroes.org or call (804) 897-1272. You can easily give online — even setting up monthly payments to make giving easier — https://form-renderer-app.donorperfect.io/give/connors-heroes-foundation/circle-of-heroes

If you want to be a part of our Circle of Heroes, contact Celia. You can email her at celia@connorsheroes.org or call (804) 897-1272.

Celia can explain how you can donate through Charitable Funds (like the Community Foundation or Scwhab), planned giving, etc.

And, you can give online — even setting up monthly payments to make giving easier. Use our secure website to donate online: https://form-renderer-app.donorperfect.io/give/connors-heroes-foundation/circle-of-heroes

Connor’s Heroes hosted its 2nd annual Make-Bake-Your-Own-Pizza with the childhood cancer heroes. We started this family-fun event at the Mellow Mushroom in Midlothian. Heather and her crew made it easy for the families to be together. Families had so much fun last year, we thought, why not do it all over again?!?!

Once again, Heather was ready for our hero families. She lined up pizza boxes — inside were a family’s favorite toppings (Our crew loves pineapples on their pizza) and a big ball of fresh dough. After the family rolled out the dough, spread the sauce, and layered on the cheese and toppings, they carried their pizza to the kitchen. The kids were so excited to see their pizza slide into the hot oven and come out exactly as they wanted it.

Who knew making a pizza could be so much fun?!

Time to make the pizzas!

The pizzas are ready for the oven.

Now for the best part. Eating pizzas.

Thank you to Heather and all the staff at Mellow Mushroom in Midlothian. Visit their website https://mellowmushroom.com/location/va-midlothian-1409-huguenot-road-23113/ to check out their hours, menu, and delivery.

If you are a local business who likes to give back, you can be a Hero Partner too. You can host a party for our childhood cancer hero families. Sponsor our gala, The Heroes Art Ball. Or host a give-back-night for Connor’s Heroes. Email celia@connorsheroes.org for information.

Our childhood cancer heroes thank you for giving them this fun event: Skylar, Tay, Valentin, Owen, Kennedy, Javi, Jonathan F., John G., James, Easton, Charlotte, Sydney, Lilana, Joshua, Holden, Austin, Alvion