Sponsor Spotlight: AT&T and The London Company
Thank you to AT&T and The London Company. This is the second time that they are standing with our childhood cancer heroes. They both are SIDEKICK SPONSORS for the 2017 Heroes Art Ball. The sponsors of the Heroes Art Ball are a who's who of area businesses. Because of their generosity, they fund help for our families and research conducted in Richmond through the Connor's Heroes Pediatric Cancer Research Fund.
Lelia’s Rooms
Lelia was admitted for her fourth bone marrow transplant. She is only three years old. Any Hero parent will tell you that one stay in the BMT is hard enough, but three and then a fourth?! Lelia's treatment is all-consuming; requiring the family to shuttle between their home in Ashland and the hospital. Every time that Lelia was admitted, she found her room decorated with new and exciting surprises. From the cheerful pink, Peppa pig (who Lelia loves so much) to the princesses from Frozen. Four groups of volunteers decorated her room each time she was admitted. We want to thank Freya and also Ellen. Ellen cut short her beach vacation so she could have Lelia's room ready when she was admitted. We were especially touched by Lelia's "Wall of Encouragement." It was lovingly created by a young volunteer. Taylor, with help from his sister Izzy and mom Katie.
"The reason I made the "Wall of Encouragement" for Lelia is because she and her family are going through a scary time. Lelia has to show her amazing bravery. I already look up to her. I have high hopes Lelia will win her war against this sickness," said Taylor. Izzy added, "Although Lelia is going through tough times, I hope the love we put into her room makes her smile! We picked out the the stuffed animal rabbit. It has a special message for her to hug it whenever times get hard."
Thank you to Katie, Taylor, Izzy, Freya and Ellen for decorating Lelia's rooms! It is because of your support that Connor's Heroes can help a family every step of the way.
Virginia This Morning
Olivia joined Lisa on the set of WTVR's program "Virginia This Morning." Lisa sat down with host Jessica Noll and shed light onto the number of children in Central Virginia who are battling childhood cancer and the important research that Connor's Heroes is funding. Olivia painted a painting while Lisa talked about the upcoming Heroes Art Ball. She was a natural for the camera.
Sponsor Spotlight: HF Hill, Atlantic Bulk Carrier, Stoli
HF Hill is more than a company to me. When Pam and Hugh's daughter was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2010, Connor's Heroes was there to help. After that, Pam joined our Board of Directors, and the family was steadfast in raising money for the Connor's Heroes Pediatric Cancer Research Fund, which helped, in no small part, to bring Dr. Corey to Richmond. HF Hill, Atlantic Bulk Carrier and Stoli are BACKPACK SPONSORS for the Heroes Art Ball. How appropriate since it was our Heroes Backpack that brought the Hill Family into our community of heroes.
Lelia’s Room Part 2
Remember, Lelia who's room we recently decorated? Here's what her grandmother said about it! Thank you for allowing our volunteers and staff to help children like Lelia who are battling cancer. You also allow us to support Dr. Corey's research through our research fund.
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Lelia’s Hospital Room
Little Lelia loves all things with the letter "P." When her family registered with Connor's Heroes, they told us that Lelia's favorite things are "Play-Doh, princesses, Peppa Pig and painting." With that info, volunteers - Samantha and Olivia - transformed Lelia's room into a pink, puffy playroom on the VCU Massey Cancer Center Bone Marrow Transplant Unit. What makes this story more special is that Olivia is the big sister to her own childhood cancer hero: her brother Callen. Thanks to your generosity, we can help Lelia and her family through each day as she is in treatment.
Connor's Heroes is proud to be there with the children admitted into this adult floor. So far this year, three of our childhood cancer heroes were treated on the BMT unit. Erin, our Assistant Program Coordinator, says this number of young patients is slightly ahead of the number of children whom we helped last year.
Sponsor Spotlight: Valentine Properties
Thank you to Austin and Heather Bergman who are the owners of Valentine Properties. They are a wonderful couple who are passionate about giving back to the community. They appreciate the personal touch that Connor's Heroes brings to the children in treatment for cancer. They believe that Dr. Corey's research is necessary in finding cures and improving treatments. It is an honor to have them as the PHOTO BOOTH SPONSOR for the 2017 Heroes Art Ball. Grab your friends and step inside the photo booth for a snap of your fun time at the Heroes Art Ball. Tickets are on sale for the gala. Thanks to Valentine Properties and our corporate sponsors, your ticket pays for our programs, outreach and funding for research. http://501auctions.com/heroesartball
Thank you to Hot Shotz for the photo booth! https://www.hottshotzphotobooth.com/
Sponsor Spotlight: Strum Group
As you enjoy the Heroes Art Ball in the beautiful rotunda, there's another party happening around the corner. Tucked away in a room to the right of the stage, is the HEROES ROOM. It is a playroom, break room, and game room for the kids who are presenters at the Heroes Art Ball. A group of energetic teens volunteer to play with the kids (trust me, they need a lot of energy to keep up!). The kids have a great time together thanks to the generosity of its sponsor, The Strum Group, a real estate agency in Richmond Va. lead by James Strum. You give these children much to smile about because you are supporting the programs that help them. You do that when you make a donation, purchase your tickets to the Heroes Art Ball or place a winning bid. Bookmark this page for tickets and online auction: http://501auctions.com/heroesartball
February Art Session
Last week, 17 childhood cancer heroes and their brothers and sisters spent the afternoon creating masterpieces for the 2017 Heroes Art Ball. You won't believe the imaginative and creative pieces that they created at the studios of the Visual Arts Center. So colorful and joyful! Every dollar you spend at the Heroes Art Ball will help our hero families and give much needed funds to move science forward. You can help Dr. Corey and his researchers make discoveries in treatments and cures for childhood cancer. Our young heroes are excited to show off their creative creations at The Heroes Art Ball on May 5th at the Science Museum. Tickets are on sale now at a discounted rate. You can purchase them before the price increases on April 1.
Pic Cred: Armaan Omarzai