Our Mission & Values

Connor was only 22 months old when doctors diagnosed him with leukemia (ALL).

This day is fondly remembered by the family as Connor’s “other birthday” to celebrate the day, 2-½ years after his diagnosis, when he finished treatment.

Lisa and Steve Goodwin named Connor’s Heroes after their son and in honor of the heroes who helped the family during Connor’s treatment.

Connor gave the first Heroes Backpack to his best friend during treatment, Owen.

With the fund, Connor’s Heroes became the one childhood cancer nonprofit in Richmond that not only helps families but also funds pediatric cancer research in Central Virginia.

Connor’s Heroes created The Room of Possibilities as a comforting and healing space for the children who are admitted on the adult Bone Marrow Transplant Unit.

The Heroes Art Ball celebrated the five year anniversary of Connor’s Heroes.

The endowed fund was fully funded with a million dollars and was named in honor of Connor’s Heroes.

For the first time ever, the Heroes Art Ball raised $100,000! The gala continues to be Connor’s Heroes largest fundraising event.

The monthly Heroes Art Sessions continue to be a special time when our young heroes express themselves through art created side-by-side with professional artists. Some of the art is auctioned at the Heroes Art Ball.

The Connor’s Heroes Foundation Board of Directors welcomed Seth J. Corey, M.D., M.P.H, as the first endowed chair in pediatric cancer research.

Connor’s Heroes helped more than 1,000 families in our first 10 years.

Connor’s Heroes gave its largest donation to the pediatric cancer research fund established in our name.

Lisa Goodwin passed the leadership of Connor’s Heroes over to Celia Tetlow Martin. Celia became the foundation’s Executive Director after serving as a volunteer and member of the Board of Directors.

Physicians and scientists with Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU and the VCU Massey Cancer Center will strategically support Connor’s Heroes programs and research.

Circle of Heroes is an ongoing giving circle to recognize Connor’s Heroes most generous donors who are deeply committed to helping area childhood cancer families.

Connor’s Heroes started a Holiday Heroes Program. We invited every family with a child in active treatment to a Holiday Open House. They received presents, a $250 gift card, and lots of holiday cheer. The Holiday Open House has become an annual tradition for our families.

The Hero Squad is a group of people who inspire others to give to Connor’s Heroes in an online, peer-to-peer campaign. The program expanded to include children and teens who joined the Jr. Hero Squad.

Connor, the boy who inspired the start of Connor’s Heroes, graduated high school.

Connor’s Heroes raised $250,000 for the Rooms Filled With Hope capital campaign. When the new inpatient children’s hospital opens in 2023, Connor’s Heroes will have five permanent spaces on the new pediatric hematology and oncology floor.

Connor’s Heroes started the Unique Needs Fund to help families with unexpected expenses for extended stays in the hospital or traveling for second opinions, clinical trials or treatment.

Connor’s Heroes funded a Child Life Specialist with Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU for pediatric hematology and oncology patients. She will coordinate their care with Connor’s Heroes program team.

Hundreds of guests celebrated the nine childhood cancer heroes featured at the 11th Annual Heroes Art Ball. The night raised a record-breaking $517,000 for the programs helping the childhood cancer families in Central Virginia.