Free Bone Marrow Registration Until June 22!
Connor's Heroes is dedicated to supporting patients on the bone marrow transplant unit at the VCU Massey Cancer Center. In addition to decorating their pediatric rooms, providing gifts and buddies, and raising money for the Jamie Hess Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Research Fund, we try to assist people in registering to be a marrow donor.
Be The Match marrow registry is dedicated to saving lives. Donating marrow can give someone a future - a chance of overcoming leukemia or other life-threatening diseases. There are thousands of people of all ages in need of a transplant who won’t make it without the help of others.
To join the marrow registry it takes just a few sample swabs from inside your cheek. After that you will be a registered marrow donor. Simple. While joining the registry normally costs over $50, it is free through June 22. Don't delay, click here today.
Thanks to Village Bank!
For the second year in a row, Village Bank has sponsored an amazing golf tournament and donated half of the proceeds to Connor's Heroes (the other half goes to Comfort Zone Camp, one of our nonprofit partners). Through their generosity and that of their corporate sponsors, Connor's Heroes has received over $35,000 to help Conquer Childhood Cancer! Village Bank is a true corporate hero!
Deep Run High School Marathon Dance Rocks
On March 27-28, nearly 700 students from Deep Run High School danced their hearts out at their Third Annual "Dancing 2gether...Changing Lives 4Ever" Marathon Dance. They demonstrated commitment to the causes they were dancing for with their contagious energy and enthusiasm dancing their socks off and having a great time! What they did collectively for the 13 organizations, including Connor's Heroes, and the people they serve directly impacts our community and we all should be proud of their efforts in raising nearly $134,000 amidst troubled economic times!!
Connor's Heroes is proud to be a beneficiary of the Marathon Dance for the second year in a row. The money we receive from this amazing event will help us design, construct, and decorate a healing playroom on the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at the VCU Massey Cancer Center. It will also help us continue to provide support to pediatric patients on the Unit by decorating their rooms and providing gifts before they arrive, providing gifts on the day of transplant and day of discharge, and providing volunteer "buddies" to play games and keep them company.
Kudos to Kathleen Bushman, faculty advisor, Brittany Evans, committee chair and key volunteer for Connor's Heroes (both pictured here with Connor), and all the other committee members, students and staff who participated! You are our heroes!!
Thanks to Bandito’s for a Great River City Railfest!
On Saturday, January 31, Bandito's Burrito Lounge hosted the Second Annual River City Railfest to benefit Connor's Heroes. Snowboarders came and showed off their moves on over 100 tons of snow trucked in from Wintergreen.
Right before the snowboarders started, Connor, his sister Emily, and dad Steve stood on top of the two-story platform to welcome the crowd and wish the competitors luck. Thanks so much to Expressive Portraits, Inc. for the great photos!!
Tommy Hilfiger Supports Connor’s Heroes
On Monday, November 3, Tommy Hilfiger, Alex Garfield, and Connor spent some time in front of the cameras to encourage everyone to "be a hero" to children with cancer. The video that was taken is currently being edited into a Public Service Announcement that we hope will be aired both in the Richmond market and nationwide! Keep checking the website to see the video.
Connor’s Heroes Donates $60,510.40 to Pediatric Cancer Research at VCU
On Tuesday, December 16, Connor's Heroes Foundation presented a check for $60,510.40 to the VCU Massey Cancer Center. The money will be split between the Jamie Hess Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Research Fund and the Pediatric Cancer Research Endowment Fund that Connor's Heroes established last year at VCU Health System. This Endowment Fund is jointly managed by the VCU Massey Cancer Center and the Department of Pediatrics.
The donation to the Jamie Hess Fund came directly from proceeds raised during the Anthem Quest for the Cure and Night with the Richmond Kickers, as well as, the Ashland Barracudas Swim Marathon.
Dr. William Moskowitz, Interim Chair of the Department of Pediatrics and Dr. Gordon Ginder, Director of the Massey Cancer Center were excited to receive the donation. "We are grateful for the energy and wisdom that Connor's Heroes brings to the fight against pediatric cancer," said Gordon D. Ginder, director of the Massey Cancer Center, Richmond's only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center. "Not only do they support our
mission in conducting ground-breaking research, but they actively reach out to young patients and their families to give them a heroic lift throughout the cancer journey."
TrePadges Donates over $30,000
TrePadges held its 8th Annual Golf Invitational on September 25, 2008 at Independence Golf Club. They raised over $30,000, which they donated to Connor's Heroes.
TrePadges is a charitable foundation dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children at risk in the heart of Virginia. Their foundation, comprising a group of old high school friends and family, focuses on raising money and awareness for those charities in Central Virginia that help children in need. Since 2001, they have raised over $143,000 to help children fighting cancer, children who have been abused, children from low-income families, children living with diabetes and many other children who are facing challenges on a daily basis. The members of TrePadges are true heroes!!!
Omni Richmond Hotel Supports Connor’s Heroes During Grand Opening of Starbucks
On April 14, the Omni Richmond Hotel celebrated the long-awaited Grand Opening of the first full-service Starbucks Coffee Store in Downtown Richmond. What made the day truly special was that the Omni spotlighted Connor's Heroes and made a generous donation! As Pete Sams, General Manager of the Omni Richmond Hotel said, "The excitement around the opening of the Starbucks store has been widespread, but we feel that the true spotlight and focus of this Grand Opening Day will be the story of Connor's Heroes." Connor's Heroes is grateful to the Omni Richmond Hotel for its support and looks forward to partnering again in the near future.
Kids with cancer get gifts, support
By JANET CAGGIANO
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER
Photo By: ALEXA WELCH EDLUND/TIMES-DISPATCH
Connor Goodwin wasn't yet 2 when he was diagnosed with leukemia, so he doesn't remember much about his treatment.
Except for the "sleepy doctors."
"They were cool," Connor recalls.
When Connor saw the anesthesiologists, he knew yet another spinal tap would soon be over.
Now 6, Connor has been cancer-free for nearly two years. But that doesn't mean he has put the ordeal behind him. He's been helping his parents, Lisa and Steve, support other children fighting the disease.
The Goodwins organized Connor's Heroes, named for their son, in May 2006. Their first project last January was to fill about 75 backpacks with games, craft supplies, books and toys for children just diagnosed with cancer at the VCU Medical Center.
This year, the Goodwins wanted to do more. And yesterday, they did. With help from about 40 volunteers, they assembled 80 backpacks for children and 80 tote bags for the parents of just-diagnosed children. That should be enough to last the year, Lisa Goodwin said.
"We never would have thought about something like this if Connor had not gotten sick," she said. "Now it's our life. We wanted to make a difference."
They have.
"At a time when your whole world is upside down, this makes you feel like there are people out there who really care," said Mary Bennett, whose 16-year-old daughter, Erin, was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease last year. "It's a great comfort at a very difficult time."
Erin, a junior at Douglas Freeman High School in Henrico County, received a backpack from Connor's Heroes during her first hospital stay in October. She was on hand yesterday at Mary Munford Elementary School in Richmond to make sure other children are provided with the same gift.
"It feels good to help other people," she said. "I remember when I was in the hospital and I woke up and saw the backpack at the end of my bed. It was perfect. It was a nice distraction."
The backpacks are filled with age-appropriate goodies. Toddlers may get Play-Doh, stuffed animals and coloring books, while those 7 and older will find portable DVD players, craft supplies and books inside. Nail polish is packed for girls and video games for boys.
Parents receive antibacterial wipes, tissues, journals, phone cards and coupons for free house cleanings and meals.
"It's great to do something that is going to put a smile on a child's face," said Carlos Melendez Jr. "The volunteers here are lending their hands and their hearts."
Melendez wanted to volunteer after his wife, Ivone, told him about the project. They brought their nephew and grandson with them.
The family gained a valuable lesson in the power of giving. Lisa Goodwin thought the backpack project would take four hours. But so many volunteers showed up, they were finished in less than two.
"It shows how much people care," she said.
In addition to the backpack project, Connor's Heroes holds about 10 fundraisers a year, including the Anthem Quest for the Cure in Carytown, golf tournaments and an oyster roast in Ginter Park. Since forming, Connor's Heroes has raised nearly $100,000 to support cancer research.
"I know I can help people," Connor said. "I can help turn other families' worlds right-side up instead of upside down. That makes me feel pretty good inside."
Connor’s Heroes Charity Futsal Tournament
U-Turn and Connor’s Heroes Foundation have teamed up to help children with cancer. Through a joint scholarship program, children who have endured the rigors of chemotherapy and other cancer treatments will receive individualized athletic assessment, coaching and health and fitness training. Connor’s Heroes has enlisted U-Turn’s assistance in helping kids with cancer get back to playing sports, having fun and just being kids as soon as possible after treatments for cancer. U-Turn is excited to bring its expertise and compassion for kids to this program as a part of its philosophy of helping youth develop their athletic skills while supporting the community through discipline, diversity and service to others.