12th Annual Heroes Art Ball Photos
The Heroes Art Ball was a magical night!
You raised $456,000 for local children with cancer. Your generosity will pay for gas for appointments, hotel rooms when a family travels out of town for treatment, a utility bill, groceries for the day, presents for the holidays, and so much more.
On behalf of the families of the nine childhood cancer heroes — James, Kylie, Levi, Ava, Grayson, Olivia, Isaiah, Micah, and Lindsey — and Connor’s Heroes board and staff, thank you!
See photos posted on our Flickr site:
Save The Date:
13th Annual Heroes Art Ball
Friday, May 3, 2024
April Heroes Art Session
This Was It!
The last Heroes Art Session before the big day: The 12th Annual Heroes Art Ball on Friday May 5, 2023.
Each artist came to the Visual Arts Center of Richmond determined to create a masterpiece. The artist wouldn’t do it alone. (What fun is that, right?) Childhood cancer heroes and their siblings took the lead.
Collaborating with others on artwork to express their childhood cancer journeys. We will put the art up for auction at the Heroes Art Ball. If you were one of the lucky ones to get a ticket before it sold out, you have two chances to take home a piece of heroes art. You can bid on pieces in the online auction or wait for the main event at the gala: The live auction presented by the childhood cancer hero who created it.
If you did not get a ticket, you can still bid on items in the online auction (and raise your paddle) using your smartphone or tablet. Register by phone by texting heroesartball23 to 243725.
We thank Patience and Kristin from Lens Of Hope for sharing their photos from the April Heroes Art Session.
Follow them on social media:
@lensofhope_rva
@kindnessgirl
@kristinseward_lensofhope
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 the materials they need.
Childhood Cancer Heroes: James • Kylie • Levi • Ava • Sydney • Everett • Lucy • Tay
Hero Artist Mentors: Jennike, Monica, Frankie, Susan, Bruce, Sarah, Kathleen and Theodora
Thank you to the many volunteers who assisted the artists and heroes.
March Heroes Art Session
Creative Chaos
Word is getting around the Richmond artist community (and beyond). Our Heroes Art Sessions are THE PLACE to expand your creativity and foster the creative talents of kids and teens. A baker’s dozen showed up at the Visual Arts Center for our March Heroes Art Session. The artists pulled carts overflowing with art supplies like clay, large canvases, small canvases, textured paper, paints, paints, and MORE paints! With this many artists and hero families, we needed two studios. Everyone spread out and got to work!
The artists came to the Heroes Art Session with a concept for an art piece that children of all ages and abilities can create together. Their only “rule” is to have the piece ready for us to put it up for auction at the Heroes Art Ball. After the art session, the artist will add a few finishing touches, but, pretty much, the childhood cancer heroes created the art.
Artist Mentors Travelled From As Far As Nashville To Create With The Kids
For the March Heroes Art Session, we were excited to have back several of your favorite Richmond artists. Nico Cathcart is known for her murals painted all over Richmond. Frankie Slaughter showed up ready to get the kids stamping another, what we expect to be, show-stopping piece. Alex Georghiou Frankart traded her pastels for watercolors. We first worked with Dylan Lynch at an event last summer. Dylan drove all the way from Nashville. Emilia Texler loves circles so much she brought large canvases in the shape of circles! The kids got messy with Dale Knight growing a garden of paper mache flowers. Maddie Koerber and Jennike Duignam returned. Mel Hause and Sarah Cross tried something new this year — clay!
New Artist Mentors Enjoyed Their First Session
KK Harris, Taddy Mikelaites, Kyle Epps, and Oxana Blake are new artists to the Heroes Art Ball. They jumped right in! KK Harris, in an Instagram post, described the day
“It was so wonderful to facilitate something physical for kids who need to get out of their heads.”
And there are more artists coming to the session in April! The 12th Annual Heroes Art Ball is on Friday, May 5. We are close to selling out! Don’t delay. Grab your ticket so you can fill your house with art created from the heart. https://one.bidpal.net/heroesartball23/welcome
Once again, Patience and Kristin from Lens Of Hope captured the creative chaos of the March Heroes Art Session. They are featuring the childhood cancer heroes honored at the 12th Annual Heroes Art Ball in a photo series. In moving words and beautiful pictures, they share each family’s cancer journey. Each portrait will leave you inspired and hopeful.
Follow them on social media:
@lensofhope_rva
@kindnessgirl
@kristinseward_lensofhope
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 the materials they need.
Childhood Cancer Heroes (and/or their siblings): Ben • John • Micah • Charlotte • Grayson • James • Jillian • Levi • Autumn • Kennedy • Adam • Meya • Nate • Addie • Lindsey • Alvion • Ahmod • Willow • Olivia • Valentin • Florian
Hero Artist Mentors: Alex Georghiou Frankart • Frankie Slaughter • Dylan Lynch • Nico Cathcart • Emilia Texler • KK Harris • Dale Knight • Taddy Mikelaites • Kyle Epps • Maddie Koerber • Jennike Duignam • Oxana Blake • Mel Hause • Sarah Cross
Thank you to the many volunteers who assisted the artists and heroes.
First Year In The Hospital: Interview with Meredith, CCLS
To describe her first year as a Certified Child Life Specialist for hematology/oncology children in Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, Meredith Burns needed no time to think. Immediately she said: Learning and Growth.
Learning because she took a deep dive into the medical world of pediatric cancer. It seemed like an alphabet soup of letters… ALL… CML… AML. “I learned about pediatric cancer diagnoses. Their treatments and medical procedures. I broke down scary words like “biopsy,” “catheter,” and “port” so a child could understand what will happen to their body.”
Growth because she understands the challenges a family faced when their child was admitted to the hospital after a setback or for treatment. “The outpatient world is scheduled, like the clinic visits. Inpatient admissions at the hospital are unpredictable. I started to think on my feet and go with the flow to meet patients’ and families’ needs.”
Childhood cancer hero families benefit from having a CCLS dedicated to hematology/oncology patients. “Nurses and doctors change daily. But me? I am a familiar face to a hero family. I am with a family when their child is admitted. I check-in while they are in the hospital. If the child is admitted again, I am there.”
Over the past year Meredith got into a rhythm working with Erin Gardner, our Program Director. Their partnership is making a difference in how Connor’s Heroes helps a family in the hospital. Meredith will text Erin when a childhood cancer hero family needs assistance. Erin will reply back, ready to bring to the hospital the exact toy, craft, supply or gift card the family needed.
“Meredith’s daily presence on the inpatient floor allows Connor’s Heroes to support our families in personalized ways as specific needs arise during hospital admissions. I value how we can work together to be there for our families,” said Erin.
Meredith remembers when she and Erin helped a family at a very difficult moment: “A child was admitted overnight. The family suddenly faced the end of their child’s cancer journey. Soon after I texted Erin with the sad news, she was at the hospital. She sat with the family in their room and offered them comfort.”
For Meredith, time after time, she has the privilege of telling a family about Connor’s Heroes. She hands a child and parent a Heroes Bag and Backpack. The child opens it and pulls out toy after toy, crafts, games, and an iPad! “Families become emotional — with tears of joy — when they open the Bag and Backpack. The Backpack reassures them that Connor’s Heroes cares and will give them support. At a time when they are overwhelmed, scared, and unsure of what is ahead.”
Connor’s Heroes thanks you — our community of heroes and an anonymous donor — for funding a CCLS position at Children’s Hospital of Richmond.
Meredith and Erin are a powerful duo who have the superhero strength of showing up at the right time to help a family in the hospital.
Stay tuned to see what more Connor’s Heroes can do when the expanded children’s hospital opens in April 2023.
In honor of Child Life Specialist Month, we celebrate Meredith and all the CCLS who care for pediatric patients in Central Virginia.
February Heroes Art Session
Connor’s Heroes Super (Bowl) Heroes Art Session
Sunday, February 12, kicked off with a blitz of art. Our February Heroes Art Session happened on Super Bowl Sunday. Rain dumped down hard, but it didn’t keep our hero families and artists from creating together at the Visual Arts Center.
Turned Destruction Into A Creation
Kyle Epps is a new artist mentor to the Heroes Art Sessions. His studio recently caught on fire. Sadly damaging his art pieces and supplies. So, Kyle turned the destruction into a creation. He carried in a large canvas he pulled from the studio fire. He told the kids to add whatever they felt or wanted. Before our eyes, the heroes transformed the burnt canvas with lots of color and designs.
Kyle’s piece with the kids will be a powerful piece of art. It is one of many art pieces you can bid on at the Heroes Art Ball on Friday, May 5. (Mark your calendar: Tickets will go on sale Wednesday, March 1.)
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.
Childhood Cancer Heroes (and/or their siblings): Grayson • TayNeise • Isaiah • Everett • Sydney • Kylie • Ava • Charlie • Callen • Eva • Alvion
Hero Artist Mentors: Kyle Epps • Joshua Barber • Kiki Slaughter • Monica Wilmore • Katya Herndon • Betsy Quicke • Jennike Duignam • Nancy Jacey • Dale Knight and thank you to the many volunteers who assisted the artists and heroes.
You can see the complete gallery of photos taken at the Heroes Art Session on our Flickr site.
About Lens Of Hope
The photos posted here were taken for the photo series, Lens Of Hope by photographers Kristin Seward and Patience Salgado.
Kristin Seward is a portrait artist, photojournalist, and founder of Lens of Hope™. While her focus has primarily been families and children, her passion for storytelling has been a guiding force for various collaborations and projects with local non-profits, including the “Heroes of RVA” and “RVA Cures” campaigns with Connor’s Heroes in 2016/2017. She is currently developing Compassion Photography with her dear friend and fellow Richmond photographer, Patience Salgado.
Patience Salgado is a Compassion Photographer who has had the honor of serving and photographing families in the passages of both birth and pediatric hospice for the last 13 years. The Salgado family found themselves on their own unexpected cancer path when their son James was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in the summer of 2019. Walking this road together has solidified her heart’s belief that there is beauty in the dark and power in the light. Her hope is to see and honor each part of your story and reflect all the beautiful humanity it holds.
You can see their first portrait series for Connor’s Heroes, Heart Of The Family.
Follow them on social media:
@lensofhope_rva
@kindnessgirl
@kristinseward_lensofhope
January Heroes Art Session
Welcome to 2023! We got the new year rolling with a wonderful Heroes Art Session. There was a lot of energy in the studio (fueled by dozens of Sugar Shack donuts). We had photographers (Kristin Seward & Patience Salgado), videographers (Greg Wright), artists (Monica, Kyle, Frankie, Sarah, Dale, Nancy, Kathleen, Oxana), volunteers (Becca, Anna, Hanan, Sophie), and, most importantly CHILDHOOD CANCER HERO FAMILIES!
Over the next four months, artist mentors and childhood cancer heroes will work side-by-side. They will create amazing pieces of art for you! [The art created at the Heroes Art Session is put up for auction at our signature event, The Heroes Art Ball. https://one.bidpal.net/heroesartball23/welcome The 12th Annual Heroes Art Ball is Friday, May 5, 2023 at the elegant John Marshall Ballrooms.
You are getting a sneak peek at the unique collaborations created by our childhood cancer heroes. Wait until you see the finished art at the Heroes Art Ball in May.
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.
Childhood Cancer Heroes: Kennedy, Valentin, Charlotte, TayNeise, Sydney, Ava, Micah, Julia, Sadie, Kylie, and their siblings
Hero Artist Leaders & Volunteers: Monica, Kyle, Frankie, Sarah, Dale, Nancy, Kathleen, Oxana, Becca, Anna, Hanan, Sophie, Greg
Hero Families Spend Time With Santa!
Santa Hits The Spot
Santa’s got a brand new bag – at a new home called The Santa Spot. Our childhood cancer heroes (who are currently in active treatment) were treated to a wonderful Holiday Open House with Santa himself at The Santa Spot. Families decorated cookies, made ornaments, wrote letters to Santa and hung out with other childhood cancer families.
Holiday Hero Fund Makes The Holidays Magical For Childhood Cancer Heroes
Over the holidays, parents and caregivers are juggling the emotional stress of their child’s diagnosis with the financial stress of giving their family the holiday they deserve after a difficult year. Thankfully, our community of heroes made the holidays magical for childhood hero families.
The 2022 Holiday Hero Fund provided each family in active treatment a $250 VISA gift card, tickets to Lewis Ginter GardenFest of Lights, and personalized presents to those who attended our Open House.
Thank You To Our Holiday Heroes
We need to give a big thank you to a few folks who truly made magic happen this holiday season. Cathy Heizer and her family, Marla and Jack Fergerson, The Strum Group, MassMutual, The Richmond Christmas Mother and Jodie Strum.
Cathy hosted a golf tournament (in her late husband’s memory) benefitting the Holiday Hero Fund. Marla and Jack strongly believe in Connor’s Heroes vision that no family should face their child’s cancer alone. Five years ago, the Fergersons started the Holiday Hero Fund and Holiday Open House. It has been a family holiday tradition ever since. MassMutual’s team gave generously to support the Holiday Hero Fund in addition to a grant from The Richmond Christmas Mother. Jamie Strum purchased gifts for each hero and their sibling. Jodie Strum hosted us at the Santa Spot and took care of every little detail.
Santa Spot is a new holiday experience in Richmond. A family books a private session with Santa that includes a digital portrait and kid activities. Learn more at: https://thesantaspot.com/
If you loved these photos, there are a lot more. View our Flicker account to see more great photos of the Holiday Open House.
Holiday Magic Happened Thanks To:
1607 Capital Partners • Accent Professional Recruiting LLCMs • Susan Andrews • Ms. Beth Bartone • Mr. Michael Beyers • Mr. Neil Biller • Mr. and Mrs. Tom Bishop • Mr. and Mrs. Tim Bishop • Mr. Adam Blackwell • Mr. Frank Bolton, III, D.D.S. • Dr. Trish Bonwell • Mr. and Mrs. Don Bray • Ms. Rachel Brown • Mr. and Mrs. Britt Calloway • Mr. and Mrs. Parry Carter • Mr. and Mrs. Trip Chalkley • Ms. Sandra Chatham • Mr. and Mrs. Donald Coleman • Commercial Plastering and Drywall, Inc. • Mr. and Mrs. Cayce Craddock • Mr. and Mrs. David Craymer • Mr. Davis Durrett • Ms. Laura Earley • Mrs. Susan Ekholm • F. Richard Wilton Contractor • Mr. and Mrs. Jack Fergerson • Mr. Dustin Ferrara • Mr. Jake Fieseler • Ms. Trish Gibbs • Mr. Bradley Gramm • Ms. Andrea Harris • Mr. Keith Harvey • Ms. Janice Heizer • Ms. Cathy Heizer • Mr. James Heizer Jr. • Mr. Michael Wayne Heizer, Jr. • Help Charities Inc. • Mr. Larry Hickman • Mr. Neal Hollins • Hudson Group Realty, Inc • Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Kalkowsky • Mr. Tim Kelley • Mrs. Linda Loverro • Mr. Ross Luck • Mr. Ryan Martin • Mr. and Mrs. Matt Mason • Ms. Molly Meem • Ms. Sandra Mihaloff • Mr. and Mrs. Dwayne Murphey • Ms. Patricia Murray • Mr. and Mrs. Mike Nicholas • Old Dominion Drywall, Inc. • Ms. Elizabeth Pate • Patrick Buick GMC • Dr. and Mrs. Randall Peyton • Mr. Chad Porter • Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Printz • Mr. and Mrs. John Pritchard • Ms. Sandra Provost • Mr. and Mrs. Chris Rizzo • Mr. Robert Rymiszewski • Mrs. Amy Seward • Mr. and Mrs. Tim Shelton • Mr. and Mrs. Peter Shinnamon • Ms. Shari Skipper • Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Smith • Mr. Andy Snead • Ms. Jodi Strine • Susan Mclauchlan Jewelers • Mr. and Mrs. Michael Tolley • Mr. and Mrs. William Van Zandt • Mr. Tom Vlahakis • Ms. Gail Warren Weymouth • Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Waters • Mr. Doug Wilberger • Mr. Todd Zyglocke
Strategic Planning 2022
❝Seeing the new Wonder Tower, I envisioned how Connor’s Heroes can elevate and support the childhood cancer community in the new space. As a parent of a childhood cancer hero, I was amazed at how much VCU/CHoR has evolved over the last 10 years when my daughter was in treatment. Strategic planning helped me recognize what are our superpowers as an organization. Which, ultimately is, the personal touch and focus on supporting childhood cancer families during an unimaginable time.❞ — Tammy Griffin, Chair, Connor’s Heroes Board
Connor’s Heroes Board of Directors and staff spent a weekend diving into a Strategic Plan to get us through the next three years. With the Wonder Tower opening Spring 2023 and families receiving the largest amount of financial support (on average $2,500 a year), Connor’s Heroes is facing an exciting future. We’ve built a reputation among local childhood cancer families as THE nonprofit who knows that the best way to help a family is to get to know a family.
Facilitating the process was Anne Chamberlain. Anne is a local consultant who specializes in group facilitation and leadership development. We know her as simply as “Becca’s mom.” Anne’s experience as a “cancer mom” and friend of Connor’s Heroes enriched the strategic planning experience. Also thank you to our friends at Phlow and CHoR for hosting our crew.
On Saturday, the Board had an exclusive hard-hat tour of the Wonder Tower. A few board members had seen the space in its early stages (when offices were mapped out with cardboard boxes). When they walked in, they immediately said “Wow!” They walked through the five Rooms Filled with Hope. These five rooms are designed for the care and comfort of childhood cancer heroes on the expanded hematology and oncology floor. Each room is designed around the personalized support Connor’s Heroes is known for. The Connor’s Heroes rooms will be much-needed spaces for our staff, volunteers, healthcare teams, researchers, and hero families.
Board members left the two-day session feeling uplifted, inspired, and focused on Connor’s Heroes mission. It’s three words… Hope… Guidance… Support.
Today's Helping Hero: Heizer Family
Today’s Helping Hero is actually a Helping Family! The Heizer family (Cathy & her children Paul, Brett and Meredith) raised over $18,000 for the Holiday Heroes Fund by hosting a golf tournament, The Opie Open. The Opie Open was held in memory of Cathy’s husband Paul “Opie.” Opie passed away after battling pancreatic cancer last year. Opie devoted his life to supporting child-focused nonprofits such as Connor’s Heroes. Opie wanted to make sure children with cancer received love, strength, and support — especially over the holidays. We are so honored to have Cathy serving on our Board of Directors.
The Opie Open kick started our campaign to raise money for the 2022 Holiday Heroes Fund. 107 children and their families need holiday magic this holiday season. The parents and caregivers are juggling the emotional stress of their child’s diagnosis with the financial stress of giving their family the holiday they deserve after a difficult year. You can join the Heizer family by making your own gift to the 2022 Holiday Hero Fund. Give online at https://bit.ly/HolidayHero2022 or mail your donation to Holiday Hero Fund, PO Box 5512, Richmond VA 23220.
12th Annual Heroes Art Ball - Save The Date
Plug this date in your calendar! The 12th Annual Heroes Art Ball is set for Friday, May 5, 2023, returning to the elegant John Marshall Ballrooms. Tickets will go on sale in March 2023.
You know the Heroes Art Ball is more than a fundraising event. It is a magical night for our hero families, caregivers, guests, and you. The Heroes Art Ball raises money for local families who suddenly find themselves juggling caring for a child with cancer and taking care of other family members. Connor’s Heroes gives emotional and financial support starting at their child’s diagnosis, throughout treatment, and more.
ARE GOING TO BE THERE?!
Subscribe to our e-newsletter by clicking this link.
You will be the first to hear about ticket sales, exclusive online auction items, and more!
ARE YOU A COMPANY WHO GIVES BACK TO YOUR COMMUNITY?
You can be a sponsor of the Heroes Art Ball. Sponsorship levels start at $1,000 and give you generous perks — like reserved seating at your very own VIP table.
Contact Celia Martin at celia@connorsheroes.org or call (804) 897-1272
ARE YOU A BUSINESS?
We would love to feature your product, service, and talent in our online silent auction.
Contact Anne-Randolph Carter at anne-randolph@connorsheroes.org to arrange your donation.
