A Special Gift For Dr. Limbrick
2025 Circle Of Heroes Reception
The Circle Of Heroes Reception honored the individuals who generously give at the leadership level to Connor’s Heroes. This year’s event was hosted at the beautiful home of Frankie and Steve Slaughter. Frankie is a long-time Hero Artist mentor at our Heroes Art Sessions.
Together, We’re Changing the Future of Childhood Cancer Treatment
Margaret, Jericho’s mom, expressed her family’s gratitude for everyone who gave to Connor’s Heroes and how it helped her family. Once Jericho was diagnosed with a brain tumor, the family registered with Connor’s Heroes. The Heroes Backpack, gift cards, and family events helped them get through the many months of Jericho’s treatment.
Dr. David Limbrick, Chair of Neurosurgery at VCU Health, shared how Connor’s Heroes helped bring the first Pediatric Brain Tumor Biobank to Richmond. The bio bank can help other children like Jericho diagnosed with a brain tumor. With the bio bank, families who would normally leave Richmond for treatment can stay in town and received specialized care by a dedicated team of pediatric oncologists.
Dr. Limbrick was speechless when Celia presented him with a painting by Frankie and our childhood cancer heroes. He was overwhelmed by the love behind this extraordinary gift.
Leave a legacy to children with cancer
If you want to be a part of our Circle of Heroes, contact Celia, Executive Director. You can email her at celia@connorsheroes.org or call (804) 897-1272. You can easily give online — even setting up monthly payments to make giving easier. Click here for our secure website.
You may want to leave a lasting legacy to children with cancer. Visit our website to learn how you can donate securities, donor advised funds, or planned gifts. Legacy Giving – Connor’s Heroes
Hero Family Photo Pop Up
Childhood Cancer Heroes Portrait Session
Connor’s Heroes hosted our annual Family Photo Pop. We invite families to register for the fastest family photo shoot ever at the VMFA. Volunteer photographers Alisha Trammell and Sarah Lordi (Birthing Light Co.) take a family’s photo in just 10 minutes.
Families love the fast and furious photo shoot.
Click her to see Alisha’s and Sarah’s portfolios of work.
If you are a photographer, why not volunteer to photograph Connor’s Heroes events? You can test out new techniques or improve your skills. We have a calendar full of family and donor events. Email ceci@connorsheroes.org and she will follow up!
2025 Hero Squad
Hero Squad Does It Again
Thanks to everyone who donated in honor of their favorite Hero Squad member during September’s Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This amazing crew blew past their goal and raised over $11,000 to help childhood cancer hero families.
The Hero Squad Soirée at ZZQ was the perfect way to honor the Hero Squad for doing a great job. Taking center stage was Ava, a brave childhood cancer hero. Not shy, Ava captured everyone’s hearts with her heartfelt gratitude for our community.
Congrats to Lindsey Hollett for being the top fundraiser. Lindsey is a childhood cancer hero herself. She joined the Hero Squad as a way to give back to Connor’s Heroes who helped her so much during her treatment.
2025 Hero Squad
Joshua Barber • Kevin Bibona • Madison Godsey • Clay & Lindsey Rollins • Kelly Sarver • Jac Worth
Top Fundraisers: Lindsey Hollett • Jennings Dawson • Mark Carnes
Join The Hero Squad
The Hero Squad is made up of professionals who have a heart for philanthropy. As a member of the Hero Squad, you commit to raise $1,000 for children with cancer in September for September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. The Jr. Hero Squad is open to preschool through high school students who try to raise $500 during the summer. READ MORE: www.connorsheroes.org/hero-squad/
September 2025 Heroes Art Session
From Pewter Casting to Painting: A Creative Heroes Art Session
Childhood cancer hero families kicked off Fall with a seasonal Heroes Art Session at VisArts. Volunteers and artist mentors helped the hero kids with hands-on art experiences. A craft that captured the kids’ attention was Jessica (hero mom) who shared her talent for pewter casting. She carefully melted pewter and poured it into molds making 3D trinkets for each kid. (It may have been hot work, but the results were undeniably cool!)
This was our last Heroes Art Session in 2025. We’re excited for what’s next — 2026 is the 20th anniversary of Connor’s Heroes. We can’t wait to honor two decades of hope, guidance & support.
Childhood Cancer Heroes: Skylar • Charlotte • Ruby • Wyatt • Aina • Holden • Kennedy • Tecumseh • Margot • Ava
Hero Artist Mentors & Volunteers: Jill Abell • Joshua Barber • Jessica Cantilo • KONA Ice • Kristie Faison • Phyllis Guiser • Nancy Jacey • Gurbani Jolly • Sarah Lordi • Cecelia Marano • Albert Negrin • Carolyn Ogrosky • Emily Oyan • Divya Raman • Ana Stallings • Emily & Lily Wright • Hanna
Picture Credit: 410 Productions, Sarah Lordi, Divya Raman, Carolyn OGrosky
About Heroes Art Session With Childhood Cancer Heroes And Their Families
Our Heroes Art Sessions provide a supportive environment in which childhood cancer heroes and their siblings can make art and build community with other hero families. At the sessions, you feel a collective sense of healing by creating and being together. We are grateful to Visual Arts Center for giving us the space for an open studio. And to our donors who allow the Heroes Art Sessions to happen at no cost to our families and to supply the artists with their materials.
Hero Squad Soiree
2025 Hero Squad Soiree
DATE: Thursday, October 9, 2025
TIME: 6:00 – 8:00 PM
TICKETS: https://onecau.se/_bpf7p1
LOCATION: ZZQ Texas Craft Barbeque 3201 W Moore St, Richmond, VA 23230
$40 for a classic ZZQ BBQ buffet • craft cocktails • benefitting childhood cancer hero families in Central Virginia. Tickets on sale now: https://onecau.se/_bpf7p1
Join us for this casual event. It’s your chance to talk with Connor’s Heroes staff, meet other people who care about the community, and discover how you can help childhood cancer hero families.
Hospital Hallway Honors Connor's Heroes
This was a wonderful surprise. Children’s Hospital Foundation & CHoR honored Connor’s Heroes by naming a special space on the 12th floor in our honor. Celia, the team, and Connor’s Heroes founder Lisa Ivins couldn’t believe it when Elias Neujahr and Dr. India Sisler unveiled the Family Support Suite plaque.
This space outside the Connor’s Heroes Family Room and Consult Room is one example of how our community of heroes is bringing hope to the hospital. This plaque is for everyone in our community of heroes.
Pictured: Jillian Carpenter • Dayna Cobb • Lisa and John Ivins • Celia Martin • Brenna Monk • Lauren Moore • Elias Neujahr • Dr. India Sisler • Kassi Thomas
Summer Send Off 2025
A Luau for Cancer Hero Families
Our annual Summer Send-Off brought childhood cancer hero families together for a tropical-themed party. Kids in treatment and those beyond reunited with friends, and parents/caregivers connected with other families who understand having a child with cancer.
We had the event at the popular Brambly Park in Scott’s Addition. Bobby and his team made sure we were taken care of. They set up a party area and served all the kids’ favorite foods. On the main stage was The Red Hot Lava Men playing their fast-paced surf rock tunes. Jonathan The Juggler wowed the crowd with his hilarious magic tricks and impressive juggling acts. Kona Ice rolled in with their flavored ice truck. Everywhere you looked, families were laughing, playing, and making memories together.
Painting A Surprise
The kids made luau-themed crafts. Over at one table, they created something very special with Hero Artist Frankie Slaughter. Frankie helped the kids roll woodcut designs in their favorite colors. She will put each block together to create a special work of art for a very special doctor at CHoR (shhhhh, it’s a surprise).
Help Create More Days Like This
The party happened thanks to the the volunteers who supported Connor’s Heroes staff: ARCO DB • Emily Wright • Cecelia Marano • Rebecca Hill • Kristie Faison • Jennike Duignam • Margo Asay • Brambly Park • Red Hot Lava Men • Frankie Slaughter • 410 Productions • Kona Ice •
Thank you to the childhood cancer hero families who came to the Luau!
Valentin • TayNeise • Aaliyah • Charlotte • Holden • Everett• Kennedy • Zuri• Will• Ava• Peyton• Tecumseh• Henry • Juan Pablo• Augie• Jericho• John • Ruby• Mykahi• Margot• Kasen• Isaiah• Journey• Aina • Aschemund • Wyatt • Skylar
The Summer Send-Off happens once a year, but families tell us it’s a day they remember all year. We can keep hosting family events thanks to you. Your gift can cover everything from the entertainment to food. We can offer these events at no cost to hero families because you donated. Pitch in today and help us make a family’s next big memory: https://form-renderer-app.donorperfect.io/give/connors-heroes-foundation/donate
Milkshake Party At Texas Inn
Jr. Hero Squad Raised Money And Celebrated with Sprinkles
What do you get when you throw a party with free ice cream??? A lot of happy kids, that’s for sure!
Connor’s Heroes took over the Texas Inn for an Ice Cream Party. Invited were the childhood cancer hero families and the kiddos of the 2025 Jr. Hero Squad. Guests had one very important decision to make… milkshake, float, or sundae? (Spoiler alert: there were no wrong answers.) Thank you to Wendel and team for the made-to-order milkshakes, floats, and sundaes.
At the heart of this celebration were the 2025 Jr. Hero Squad. These amazing kids organized fundraisers all over Central Virginia — selling lemonade, jumping into pools, crafting with love — for children in their own community with cancer. Their combined efforts raised an incredible $15,596, donated by 178 generous supporters from around the globe. Their dedication and compassion remind us that age is never a limit when it comes to making a difference.
To every donor who gave to the Jr. Hero Squad, thank you. Your donations will help childhood cancer hero families. We’re so proud of this year’s Jr. Hero Squad and beyond grateful to everyone who donated.
2025 Jr. Hero Squad
Addy • Ava • Carrie, Effie, Judi & Willa • Collins • Davis • Finn and Lily • Griffin • Juliana • Kennedy • Larkin • Lincoln • Maddy and Sam • Mason, Sophia & Mia • Nash • Ruby
Unbox Summer Fun
Summer Fun Packs Delivered Summer Fun
Childhood cancer hero families over Central Virginia received a surprise in the mail. A big box filled with summer fun. Thanks to the generosity of our community, Connor’s Heroes mailed Family Fun Packs to childhood cancer heroes in active treatment. Volunteers and staff lovingly packed each box for a family. Some families received a movie night, a game night, a Lego night or a box of summer games! No Family Fun Packs were alike. We delivered joy to hero families (right to their doorstep).
Assembling Summer Fun Packs is a great community service project for groups. Interested in learning more about how you can send family fun packs to our heroes? Email dayna@connorsheroes.org. She will help you get started.
2025 Volunteer Appreciation Party
Honoring the Heart of Our Work: A Night of Volunteer Appreciation
Connor’s Heroes hosted a Volunteer Appreciation Party at Cabo Taco. We treated volunteers to delicious tacos, surprised them with raffle prizes, and well-deserved awards.
Congratulations to this year’s honorees of our first-ever volunteer awards:
Rising Hero of the Year- Kristie F. and Volunteer of the Year – Cynthia W.
Dayna, our Community Engagement Manager, shared a glimpse at the impact our volunteers have made:
1,719 hours in volunteer hours from January 2024 – June 2025
In 2024, volunteers donated 836 hours valued at $29,260
*The average hourly rate of a volunteer in Virginia is $35/hour.
Each number tells a story, but more than the awards, more than the stats, this night honored every single volunteer. Whether you volunteered at an event or behind the scenes, thank you for giving your time, your heart, and your hands. To us, you are all heroes.
As a Connor’s Heroes volunteer, you can help behind the scenes or at events. We have quick projects or days of community service for individuals, families, or corporate partners. Please fill out a volunteer interest form: https://bit.ly/connors-heroes-volunteer. You will automatically receive emails about current volunteer opportunities. Don’t miss out!
