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
- June 8, 2006
- September 1, 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
- November 15, 2019
- June 3, 2020
- August 1, 2020
- August 1, 2020
- December 31, 2020
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.
First Fundraiser
A local restaurant, Bandito’s Burrito Lounge, kicked off the start of Connor’s Heroes.
First Mention in the Press
Local magazine West End’s Best featured Connor and his doctors on the cover of their magazine.
Official Launch of Heroes Bags and Backpacks
Connor gave the first Heroes Backpack to his best friend during treatment, Owen.
Establish 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.
Grand Opening of 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.
$100,000 raised at Heroes Art Ball
For the first time ever, the Heroes Art Ball raised $100,000 (net)!
Start of the monthly Heroes Art Sessions
The Heroes Art Sessions continue to be a special time when our young heroes express themselves through their art creating side-by-side with artist mentors. Connor’s Heroes now offers these sessions every month.
Named Endowed Chair
The Connor’s Heroes Foundation Board of Directors, along with co-founders, Steve and Lisa Goodwin, welcomed Seth J. Corey, M.D., M.P.H, as the first endowed chair in pediatric cancer research.
Celebrating 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 single, largest donation to the pediatric cancer research fund we established in our name.
New Executive Director
Lisa Goodwin passed the leadership of Connor’s Heroes over to Celia Tetlow Martin, who is named as the foundation’s new Executive Director after many years 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.
Launch of 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.
Launch of Hero Squad
The Hero Squad is a group of people who can inspire others to give to Connor’s Heroes in an online, peer-to-peer campaign.
Connor Graduates High School
Connor, the boy who inspired the start of Connor’s Heroes, graduated high school. He will report to the US Naval Academy.
Launch of Jr. Hero Squad
The Jr. Hero Squad is similar to The Hero Squad, but the service group is for teens and young adults. The kids are passionate about helping other kids who are battling cancer.
Virtual Heroes Art Ball
Our community of heroes gathered around the country to celebrate Connor’s Heroes for our Heroes Art Ball. The virtual gala raised much-needed funds during a difficult time for our families.
Rooms Filled With Hope
When the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU opens the Wonder Tower in 2023, Connor’s Heroes can have five permanent spaces on the new hematology and oncology floor. We have an ambitious goal to raise $250,000 for our Rooms Filled With Hope capital campaign.
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.

Erin Gardner
Program Director
erin@connorsheroes.org
You can find Erin most every week in clinic or the hospital with the families. She enjoys meeting and engaging with all of our wonderful patients, their families, and the volunteers. Erin joined Connor’s Heroes in August 2013 after working as a professional school counselor.

Anne-Randolph Carter
Program Coordinator
anne-randolph@connorsheroes.org
Anne-Randolph will work along side Erin while supporting our families, organizing hero events and coordinating our volunteers. Anne-Randolph has a background in healthcare administration, is an avid cycler, a Hokie fanatic, and has a spunky daughter who keeps her energized.

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.

Meredith Burns, MS, CCLS
Child Life Specialist, Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU
Meredith partnered with Connor’s Heroes in February 2022. As part of the Child Life Specialist (CLS) Team with CHoR, she will focus on the pediatric hematology and oncology patients when they are admitted to the hospital. She will coordinate a family’s care with the Connor’s Heroes Program Team. Meredith believes patients need to feel like children, even when they are in the hospital.
Picture Credit: Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU
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
Laura Markley, Chair
NRV
Tamara Griffin, Vice Chair
Capital One
Merideth Daly, Esq., Secretary
Hunton Andrews Kurth
Kevin Wright, Treasurer
Value Added Distributors
Gwendolyn Carnes
Markel
Marisa Cherry
VMWare
Marla Fergerson
MSC Industrial Supply
Carrie Geldreich
Fahrenheit Advisors
Lisa Spickler Goodwin, Esq.
Founder
Hirschler
Cathy Heizer
Zach Isbell
JLL
Karrie Southall
RiverFront Investment Group
Katie Noller Tyson, MD
VCU Health
Thomas G. Voekler, Esq.
Kaplan Voekler Cunningham & Frank
Officers
Laura Markley, Chair
NRV
Tamara Griffin, Vice Chair
Capital One
Merideth Daly, Esq., Secretary
Hunton Andrews Kurth
Kevin Wright, Treasurer
Value Added Distributors
Board Members
Gwendolyn Carnes
Markel
Marisa Cherry
VMWare
Marla Fergerson
MSC Industrial Supply
Carrie Geldreich
Fahrenheit Advisors
Lisa Spickler Goodwin, Esq.
Founder
Hirschler
Cathy Heizer
Zach Isbell
JLL
Karrie Southall
RiverFront Investment Group
Katie Noller Tyson, MD
VCU Health
Thomas G. Voekler, Esq.
Kaplan Voekler Cunningham & Frank
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.
Steven R. Grossman, MD, Ph.D.
Deputy Director, VCU Massey Cancer Center
John M. McCarty, MD
Medical Director, Bone Marrow Transplantation Program
Elias Neujahr, MHA, MBA
CEO, Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU
Jeniece S. Roane, MS, RN, NE-BC
Interim Vice President, Children’s Services
Jennifer M. Rohan, Ph.D.
Director of Psychosocial Clinical Care and Research
Bruce K. Rubin, MEngr, MD, MBA, FRCPC
Jessie Ball duPont Distinguished Professor and Chair, Dept. of Pediatrics
India Sisler, MD
Clinical Director, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
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
© 2019 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 at giverichmond.org. Our tax identification number is: 20-4992632.