Research
Childhood cancer receives less than 4% of federal funding for cancer research. This percentage has not changed since Connor’s Heroes started in 2006. Connor’s Heroes actively funds two research funds based in Richmond, Virginia. The discoveries they make in our community will help children all over the world.
The Connor’s Heroes Pediatric Cancer Research Fund
When Connor’s Heroes began, Richmond did not have a research center for pediatric cancer. We decided to change that. We 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. It is the only endowed research fund in Richmond for pediatric cancer.
The Jamie Hess Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Fund
Jamie Hess’ parents established the fund after Jamie died from leukemia while on the BMT Unit in 2002. The Hess family started partnering with Connor’s Heroes in 2007 by encouraging us to support the pediatric patients who were isolated on the adult BMT Unit, and to continue to raise money for Jamie’s Fund. Today, our volunteers decorate the rooms of any child on the BMT Unit and we created the Room of Possibilities Family Room.