Ladies Night at Stein Mart Fun for All!
Thanks to everyone who joined us for a great evening of shopping and socializing at the Stein Mart at Commonwealth Center Parkway (near Brandermill) on December 2. Over 175 people attended and we raised over $9,000! Mark your calendars for Sunday, December 7, 2008 for the Second Annual Ladies Night at Stein Mart.
Connor's Heroes would especially like to thank Stein Mart, as well as all those who donated items for our silent auction and Cateraide for the wonderful food:
Atir Natural Nail Care Clinic
D.M. Williams, Ltd
Corks & Kegs
Paul’s Invitations & Fine Papers
David Barden Home
Back in Action
Amir Rugs
Hampton House
Maureen Bennett
Consignment Connection
Wall to Wall Interior Decorating
Laura Hardt & Kevin Kotasek
Turq Jewelry
Paper Plus
Warren Cottrell
Lara Kempton
Lucinda deCastro
Taylor Hogan
Atlantic Embroidery Works, LLC
Katherine Henry-Choisser
Karen Morgan Photography
Allie Compton
Three Monkeys
Kuba Kuba
Kitchen 64
Sidewalk Cafe
Mongrel
Jetset Boutique, Inc.
Can Can
Pink
Bang-On
Fringe
Weezie’s Kitchen
Murphies
Gali’s Wellness Salon
Need Supply
Champagne Taste Catering
Capri Jewelers
George Tsipas
The Koch Family
Gwen Campbell
Custom Comfort by Winn
Shropshire Studios
Oxygen Bootcamp
J.T. Murphy
ACAC Fitness and Wellness Centers
Café Caturra
Elaine Bankston
Osaka Sushi
Barbara Tomorowitz
Pediatric Cancer Research Endowment Fund
Through tireless advocacy efforts and support from the community, Connor's Heroes Foundation worked with the VCU Massey Cancer Center, Children’s Hospital Foundation and Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU to establish The Connor's Heroes Pediatric Cancer Research Fund. After many years, our goal of bringing a nationally recognized pediatric cancer researcher to Richmond is here! In September 2015, during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, we introduced Dr. Seth Corey as the endowed chair. He will lead doctors’ efforts to find proper treatments for cancer’s youngest patients. Doctors will conduct trials in Richmond that will benefit families all over the world. Ultimately, we want to prevent other children from hearing the words “You have cancer.”
At the start of Connor's Heroes, we established the first Pediatric Cancer Research Endowment Fund in the Department of Pediatrics at the VCU School of Medicine and VCU Massey Cancer Center. The fund was utilized exclusively to support pediatric cancer research with the ultimate goal of recruiting a nationally recognized pediatric cancer researcher to VCU.
Connor's Heroes is also excited to announce its continued partnership with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia. Through this partnership, a portion of the proceeds from AnthemLive will be directed to the Pediatric Cancer Research Endowment Fund.
Second Annual Oystoberfest a Great Success!
On Saturday, October 20, 2007 Connor's Heroes Foundation and St. Thomas Episcopal Church joined efforts once again to host the Second Annual Oystoberfest on the church grounds in Ginter Park. Over 3000 people enjoyed great food, live music, and children's activities (including crafts, a soccer area, Moon Walk and a pony ride). Fried and raw oysters, oyster shooters and barbeque were cooked to perfection by Johnny Giavos of the Sidewalk Cafe, 3 Monkeys, Kuba Kuba and the new Kitchen 64.
This year's Oystoberfest was the kick-off of a bone marrow drive and competition between the Virginia Tech Hokies Alumni Group and Cavs Cares, the University of Virginia alumni group.
Be sure to mark your calendars for this year's Third Annual Oystoberfest on Saturday, October 18, 2008.
Hokies vs. Hoos Bone Marrow Challenge
"Hokies vs Hoos" is a collaboration between the alumni groups from Virginia Tech and the University of Virginia in the metro Richmond area. The goal of this partnership is to utilize the rivalry between these two universities, alumni, families, and friends to benefit several local charities. Both schools will work closely to promote service in the spirit of competition, and, of course, to claim bragging rights!
Their latest competition is to see which team can convince the most people to become members of the National Marrow Donor Program registry. Every day thousands of patients who need a life-saving transplant search for a donor. Only 30 percent will find a suitable donor within their family. The remaining 70 percent must find an unrelated donor whose tissue type matches theirs. When you become a marrow donor, you join the global movement of more than 10 million donors who stand ready to give someone a future. To learn more about being a marrow donor, visit National Marrow Donor Program
The Kick-off for the Hokies vs. Hoos bone marrow challenge is Saturday, October 20 at the Second Annual Oystoberfest in Ginter Park. The challenge will continue at various events leading up to the final challenge at the UVA vs. Tech football game in Charlottesville on Saturday, November 24.
A tax-deductible fee of $25 is required for each donor to cover the cost of tissue typing. Connor's Heroes is seeking individual and corporate sponsors to help underwrite this fee. The law firm Hirschler Fleischer started a challenge among its attorneys and raised $1500 in less than an hour. If your firm or company wants to take the challenge, click here.
Suntrust “My Cause” Promotion
From August 6 through October 12, clients who open a new SunTrust Personal or Business Checking account, accept a new SunTrust Visa® Check Card, and make any purchase with it
by November 15, 2007, will be empowered to choose SunTrust to donate $100 to their favorite nonprofit organization -- hopefully Connor's Heroes!
This promotion is a great way for you to show your support and help us raise funds. The donation will be made by SunTrust in your name or anonymously, if you wish.
Signing up is simple – visit suntrust.com/mycause to complete an online redemption form for the donation.
We hope you will consider supporting our organization. Even if you already have a Suntrust account, it's free to open another one. Why not open a new account and let Suntrust give Connor's Heroes $100?
Anthem Quest for the Cure a Huge Success!
On Saturday, June 30, nearly 200 people participated in the Anthem Quest for the Cure treasure hunt through Carytown. Ravenchase Adventures provided three exciting treasure hunts for our Corporate, Adult, and Family Teams. After the Quest, our treasure hunters joined the festivities at the Richmond Kickers game. Children of all ages enjoyed the dunk tank, gyrosphere, inflatables, and face painting. We also had a lively crowd participate in the half-time "juggle-a-thon" and one lucky raffle winner got to shoot and score a goal on Rob Ukrop! Best of all, the Kickers beat the Harrisburg City Islanders!!
The Anthem Quest for the Cure and Richmond Kickers Game raised over $15,000, which will support Connor's Heroes Foundation, the Jamie Hess Research Fund at Massey Cancer Center, and several other nonprofits that assist children with cancer and their families (ASK, Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, Comfort Zone Camp, Grace Oughton Cancer Foundation, and Special Love). Thank you to all our participants and volunteers who made the First Annual Anthem Quest for the Cure a resounding success!
Heroes Bags and Backpacks
Connor's Heroes Foundation provides backpacks and tote bags to the Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU in Richmond, Virginia for delivery to newly-diagnosed patients and their parents. The backpacks contain age-appropriate gifts and activities for the patient, including portable DVD players or leapsters, toys, games, books, crafts, stuffed animals, and other fun items. The canvas totebags for the parents include lotions, tissues, antibacterial wipes, playing cards, and vouchers for meals in the hospital from MoJo's or Piccola's, a free housecleaning by Maid to Perfection, a pre-paid gas card, notecards and stamps. The tote bags and backpacks are intended to help families through this time of crisis and relieve some of the strain and stress during this difficult time in their lives.
If you would like to donate items for the tote bags and backpacks, please click here to register as a volunteer and someone will contact you to arrange to receive your donations.
Specific items needed include:
Portable DVD Players
Nook or Kindle
DVDs (G, PG, and PG-13 ratings, no violence)
Leapster Games and Game Cartridges
Infant and Toddler Toys
Gas Cards
Arts and Crafts Supplies
Books
Antibacterial Wipes and Lotions
Hand Lotion
Soft Tissues
Click here for a complete list:
CHF_-_backpack_wishlist.pdf .
Kid Zone at the Irish Fest a Huge Success
Connor's Heroes was proud to assist St. Patrick's Church in providing the Kid Zone at the Irish Festival on March 24 and 25. Thousands of kids of all ages jumped in the moon bounces, slid down the giant slide, made necklaces and shamrock picture frames, had their faces painted, and won prizes playing numerous carnival games. Connor's Heroes is especially grateful to over 40 volunteers who helped make the Kid Zone such a success. We couldn't have done it without you! Planning for next year's even better Kid Zone will begin soon. Sign up on our website if you'd like to be part of the planning committee or if you'd like to volunteer next year!
Connor’s Heroes Charity Futsal Tournament Fun for All
On Sunday, March 25, the Chesterfield United Soccer Club hosted its first annual Connor�s Heroes Charity Futsal Tournament. The Tournament was held at U-Turn, Inc. Sports Performance Academy and it raised over $3,000 for Connor's Heroes.
New Website Design
Connor's Heroes Foundation's new website is now active. Thanks to the efforts of PUNCH, Factory7, and ExpressionEngine, this new site will be much more dynamic. This site facilitates online donations, patient and volunteer registrations, and brings you information about news and upcoming events. Soon, this site will provide links to and information about external resources for people interested in giving and receiving help in the fight against childhood cancer. The site also tells the inspirational stories of the true Heroes -- children who are or have undergone treatment for cancer.