Today’s Helping Hero: Mike and Jill
Spring has sprung in the clinic! Several times each month, Connor's Heroes volunteers help kids create a fun-themed craft while they wait in clinic. Mike and Jill made tissue flowers and cute caterpillars. Look at their smiles. Now, imagine how much fun it was for the kids! If you're interested in volunteering with Connor's Heroes, here's information on how you can start: www.connorsheroes.org/get-involved
A Room for Ke’Aari
Four-year-old Ke'Aari celebrated his Day Zero. Day Zero is often described as a child's "New Birthday" in the cancer world. It is the day a patient receives their donor's cells. Ky’Shon, Ke'Aari's 8-year-old brother, was his donor. To help the family, CHF lined up a crew of volunteers to decorate Ke'Aari's room with his favorite cartoon: Sponge Bob Square Pants. Volunteer Freya Koehne worked with new volunteer Erica Strine. Keep Ke'Aari, Ke'Shon and their family in your thoughts as they hope the transplant is a success.
My First Six Weeks with Connor’s Heroes
A Message from Celia
As Poppy would say "This is what it's all about"
For those of you who I have not yet met, I am Celia Tetlow. Six weeks ago, I started as Executive Director of Connor’s Heroes. While I am new to this role, I am not new to the organization. Eight years ago, I decorated a hospital room on the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit as a volunteer for Connor’s Heroes. A three-year-old girl was about to call this room home for the foreseeable future. As I picked out unicorns, rainbow-themed decor and everything pink, it clicked. I was hooked. I wanted to be a part of the hero community who provided hope, guidance, and support for children and their families battling cancer. Now, as Executive Director, I have the honor of advancing the mission of Connor’s Heroes. These first six weeks have been an incredible experience. I’ve learned so much about our brave heroes, their dedicated medical staff, and you!
My second week here culminated with the 8th annual Heroes Art Ball. Wow, what an amazing evening! I always look forward to the “Live Auction” and this year did not disappoint. I watched Maya take her gorgeous mosaic table on stage, and sweet Jaiden proudly show off his octopus painting. Abigail couldn’t believe her Koi Pond painting went for thousands of dollars! They were proud to take the stage in honor of the other children who are on the same journey. Our heroes were the true stars of the show!
I attended the ribbon cutting of VCU's newly expanded pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). The PICU is big news for our families and for Richmond! The expansion makes it the largest PICU in the region. During his remarks, Elias Neujahr, CEO of CHoR, personally thanked Connor's Heroes for our good works. It was a great afternoon meeting the nurses and doctors who continue to provide the best care for our children.
I spent a day with Erin, our program coordinator. Erin is the “face” of Connor’s Heroes. She knows each family and offers the programs that will help them best without overwhelming them. I made my way down to clinic to join the Connor’s Heroes volunteers who make arts and crafts with our kids while they wait for their appointments. Then I went to the pediatric inpatient floor. In collaboration with CJ’s Thumbs Up Foundation, every Thursday, you allow us to serve a healthy lunch to all the patients and caregivers on the floor. Throughout the day, I met a number of our brave hero families and heard more about their journey with childhood cancer. They were all so appreciative of Connor’s Heroes which warmed my heart!
As I reflect on the past month, I know that we are making a difference in the lives of the families who need Connor’s Heroes. Our programs find ways for kids to be kids, provide an extra hand in time of need, and make sure a family’s stay in the hospital feels more like home. I can’t do it alone. You will help and guide me. I am reminded of my “Poppy” and a quote that he would frequently say, “This is what it’s all about.” I think it’s very fitting for Connor’s Heroes. Connor’s Heroes is about our community of heroes helping children who need it the most. It is about you taking part in this amazing organization. This is what it’s all about.
2018 Heroes Art Ball: Kate Grossman Photos
Thank you, Kate Grossman, for volunteering your time and taking these beautiful photos. You can see more of her work at www.kategrossman.com
2018 Heroes Art Ball: Greg Wright Photos
We were blown away by Greg Wright's photos of the Heroes Art Ball. He captured many special moments, especially of the kids when they took the stage. You can see more of Greg's work at his website: Greg Wright Studios http://www.gregwright.co/gallery/
2018 Heroes Art Ball: KVCF Step and Repeat
We are grateful to our Social Media Sponsor, Kaplan Voekler Cunningham & Frank PLC. Because of the firm's generosity, when our guests arrived, they stopped for a quick photo in front of our backdrop. Here are some of the people who made a difference in the lives of our community's children who are bravely battling cancer and the researchers who bring them hope. Together they made up our community of heroes at the Heroes Art Ball!
Amazon Wish List
Erin informed us that we almost out of some important items for our Heroes Bags and Backpacks. Hop over to our wish list on Amazon. You can order there and ship directly to our office. Below is a list of what you can purchase for our families. Make your generosity go further. Order through smile.amazon.com and designate Connor's Heroes as your charity. A percentage of your purchase is donated back to us!
$10 - $15 iTunes gift cards (given with each iPad we give our heroes)
Journals (mature, minimal decoration)
Blank, boxed note cards
Dry shampoo (travel size)
Ear Buds
Book lights
Purell (8 oz w/ pump & smaller)
Toothbrushes & toothpaste
Lotion (travel size; name brand, not from hotels, etc)
Stuffed animals (new w/tags & small enough to fit in a backpack)
Adult size fuzzy socks
Adult coloring books
Colored pencils & small pencil sharpeners
Games and books for Teens
Sponsor Spotlight: Hero Family Underwriters
You've been seeing profiles of our brave Heroes. They're our guests of honor. Thanks to the generosity of our Hero Family Underwriters, the whole family will come to the Heroes Art Ball and celebrate together.
Advisory Council
We are grateful for our long-standing partnership with Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU and the VCU Massey Cancer Center. Many of the top physicians and scientists have joined our Advisory Council to help us strategically support programs and research. It's an impressive list of who's who in the medical field.
2018 Connor's Heroes Foundation Advisory Council
Seth Corey, MD, MPH
Endowed Chair in Pediatric Cancer Research
Steven R. Grossman, M.D., 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
Sponsor Spotlight: Childrens Hospital and Massey Cancer
We have a very special guest coming to the Heroes Art Ball. Elias Neujahr is the first CEO of Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU. He will provide some remarks to our guests right before we introduce you to our childhood cancer heroes! Look for him and his wife, Chrissy, along with a spirited crew from Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU and the VCU Massey Cancer Center. They are Sidekick Sponsors, generously supporting the Heroes Art Ball!
Learn more about Elias when VCU announced him coming to Richmond.
Pic credit: news.vcu.edu