Our Mission & Values
Founded in 2006 as a salute to Connor Goodwin, who triumphed after 2-1/2 years of cancer treatment as a preschooler, Connor’s Heroes is named after Connor and in honor of the heroes who supported his family throughout his treatment. Today, Connor’s Heroes is a Richmond, Virginia-based nonprofit dedicated to helping the families in Central Virginia cope with childhood cancer and our community’s researchers conquer it.
Our Mission
Building a community of heroes who provide hope, guidance, and support to children with cancer and their families.
Our Vision
To make fighting childhood cancer a journey a family never faces alone.
Our Story: Inspired By One Family’s Journey
- August 21, 2003
- March 7, 2006
- May 19, 2006
- January 1, 2007
- November 23, 2007
- November 20, 2009
- May 13, 2011
- November 1, 2013
- May 1, 2015
- June 30, 2015
- October 1, 2015
- January 1, 2016
- October 31, 2016
- April 4, 2018
- April 12, 2018
- October 4, 2018
- December 1, 2018
- November 15, 2019
- June 3, 2020
- December 31, 2020
- July 20, 2021
- February 18, 2022
- May 6, 2022
Connor’s Cancer Diagnosis
Connor was only 22 months old when doctors diagnosed him with leukemia (ALL).
Connor’s Last Day of Treatment
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.
Established Connor’s Heroes Foundation
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.
Launched Heroes Bags and Backpacks
Connor gave the first Heroes Backpack to his best friend during treatment, Owen.
Established Pediatric Cancer Research Endowment Fund
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.
Opened the Room of Possibilities
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.
First Gala: The Heroes Art Ball
The Heroes Art Ball celebrated the five year anniversary of Connor’s Heroes.
Named Connor’s Heroes Pediatric Cancer Research Fund
The endowed fund was fully funded with a million dollars and was named in honor of Connor’s Heroes.
Raised $100,000 at Heroes Art Ball
For the first time ever, the Heroes Art Ball raised $100,000! The gala continues to be Connor’s Heroes largest fundraising event.
Started Heroes Art Sessions
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.
Named Endowed Chair
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.
Celebrated 10 Year Anniversary
Connor’s Heroes helped more than 1,000 families in our first 10 years.
Donated $100,000 to research fund
Connor’s Heroes gave its largest donation to the pediatric cancer research fund established in our name.
Named New Executive Director
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.
Created Advisory Council
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.
Launched Circle of Heroes
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.
Celebrated Holiday Heroes
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.
Launched Hero Squad & Jr. Hero Squad
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 Graduates High School
Connor, the boy who inspired the start of Connor’s Heroes, graduated high school.
Campaigned for Rooms Filled With Hope
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.
Introduced Unique Needs Fund
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.
Welcomed Child Life Specialist
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.
Raised $500,000 at Heroes Art Ball
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.
Our Staff
Connor’s Heroes primarily functions with the assistance of an amazing group of volunteers. We are also fortunate to be guided by a group of dedicated and experienced staff members.
Celia Tetlow Martin
Executive Director
celia@connorsheroes.org
Celia has been involved with Connor‘s Heroes since 2010 when she began volunteering. She served as Chair of the Development Committee and as Vice Chair of the Connor’s Heroes Board of Directors. She chaired the Heroes Art Ball for several years. Celia worked at University of Richmond, The Commonwealth Institute, and United Way. She is a graduate of Virginia Tech and a loyal Hokie.
Jillian Carpenter
Program Director
jillian@connorsheroes.org
Jillian has a Masters of Social Work. She centered her career around clinical social work, mental-health counseling, and bereavement care. In college and graduate school, she worked with pediatric oncology patients and their families. Prior to joining Connor’s Heroes, she served as an Assistant Professor in Teaching at the VCU School of Social Work. She is a member of the board at Full Circle Grief Center.
Dayna Cobb
Program and Volunteer Manager
dayna@connorsheroes.org
Dayna is passionate about serving families going through a medical crisis. Most of her early career was spent in retail fashion, but she later found her true calling in pediatric support services. Dayna has years of experience in compassionate family care and is dedicated to forwarding the mission of Connor’s Heroes.
Ceci Hull
Development Assistant
ceci@connorsheroes.org
Ceci is behind the scenes at Connor’s Heroes managing marketing, social media and donor relations. She comes to Connor’s Heroes with a variety of experience that is put to good use supporting our staff, donors and hero families.
Connor’s Heroes Foundation Board & Advisory Council
Our Board Members are critical to helping us achieve our mission of supporting childhood cancer heroes and their families.
Officers
Board Members
Tamara Griffin, Chair
Capital One
Marla Fergerson, Vice Chair
MSC Industrial Supply
Zach Isbell, Secretary
Emerus Holdings, Inc.
Carrie Geldreich, Treasurer
Fahrenheit Advisors
Gwendolyn Carnes
Markel
Marisa Cherry
Broadcom
Lisa Spickler Ivins, Esq.
Founder
Hirschler
Cathy Heizer
Volunteer
Austin Harris
Genexa
GT Hollet
Dominion
Diane Koontz
Healixa
Laura Markley
Farmer Focus
Will Maixner
DaVita Kidney Care
Julia Monroe
Reynolds Gallery
Juliana Moreno
Hero Parent
Johanna Orleski
Hunton Andrews Kurth
Conrad Simmons
Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU
Karrie Southall
RiverFront Investment Group
Katie Noller Tyson, MD
VCU Health
Kevin Wright
Value Added Distributors
Officers
Tamara Griffin, Chair
Capital One
Marla Fergerson, Vice Chair
MSC Industrial Supply
Zach Isbell, Secretary
Emerus Holdings, Inc.
Carrie Geldreich, Treasurer
Fahrenheit Advisors
Board Members
Gwendolyn Carnes
Markel
Marisa Cherry
Broadcom
Lisa Spickler Ivins, Esq.
Founder
Hirschler
Cathy Heizer
Volunteer
Austin Harris
Genexa
GT Hollet
Dominion
Diane Koontz
Healixa
Laura Markley
Farmer Focus
Will Maixner
DaVita Kidney Care
Julia Monroe
Reynolds Gallery
Juliana Moreno
Hero Parent
Johanna Orleski
Hunton Andrews Kurth
Conrad Simmons
Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU
Karrie Southall
RiverFront Investment Group
Katie Noller Tyson, MD
VCU Health
Kevin Wright
Value Added Distributors
Connor’s Heroes Foundation Advisory Council
We are grateful for our long-standing partnership with Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU and the VCU Massey Cancer Center. Our Advisory Council is made up of physicians and scientists from the medical field who dedicated their lives to fighting childhood cancer.
Robyn Dillion, LCSW, C-ACYFSW
Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU
Elizabeth Krieger, MD
Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Stem Cell Transplantation, Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU
Joseph Laver, MD, MHA
Chief of Hematology/Oncology, Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU
Children’s Hospital Foundation Endowed Chair in Pediatric Cancer Research
Elias Neujahr, MHA, MBA
President, Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU
Jeniece S. Roane, MS, RN, NE-BC
Associate Vice President of Operations, Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU
Jennifer Rohan, PhD, LCP
Associate Professor, Director of Psychosocial Clinical Care and Research – Hematology and Oncology, Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU
India Yount Sisler, MD
Associate Professor, Clinical Director Pediatric Hematology & Oncology, Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU
Contact Us
(804) 897-1272
admin@connorsheroes.org
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 5512, Richmond, VA 23220
Office Address:
1840 West Broad Street Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23220
Connor’s Heroes Foundation
501(c)(3) non-profit organization. EIN: 20-4992632
©2023 Connor’s Heroes Foundation
Financials
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Connor’s Heroes is committed to being good stewards of the funding we receive from individuals and corporations. You can trust that the money you give to Connor’s Heroes Foundation goes directly to helping area children with cancer and their families. If you would like to receive a copy of our Financial Statements or Form 990, please send an email to celia@connorsheroes.org or call (804) 897-1272. You can also view our profile on GuideStar. Our tax identification number is: 20-4992632.