Impressions of Courage Needs You!
By donating an article of clothing, you can be a part of a public art project in Richmond during September's Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. It's called "Impressions of Courage" - a 1,000-foot long banner printed with the clothes and names of cancer heroes. Your hero is a patient, a caregiver or a friend. This is our opportunity to make sure that cancer's youngest patients are represented in this public display of cancer in our community. Keep reading on how you can memorialize your cancer hero.
1) Gather an outfit. Make sure it is a complete outfit (i.e. pants and shirt). The outfit does not have to be the honoree's actual clothing, just represent him/her. For example, a mother donated toddler-sized pajamas because her son was a toddler when he was diagnosed. You can donate a dress, hospital scrubs, play clothes, etc. Note: Outfits will be destroyed in the printing process and will not be returned.
2) Download and complete the registration form.
3) Bring your outfit and registration form to Connor's Heroes (11512 Allecingie Parkway, North Chesterfield 23235) during our office hours of Monday-Thursday, 10a-3p. Questions or to arrange a drop-off, email ceci@connorsheroes.org.
4) Join us on September 10 for the creation of the banner, called a collagraph. A collagraph is a print making process. Art On Wheels will take your article of clothing, place it on a rigid substance and cover it with ink. They will then make an impression of the outfit on a piece of fabric. Pieced together, they hope to make the world's longest collagraph in the city's Scott's Addition.
Art On Wheels has information and registration at http://artonwheels-va.org/impressions-of-courage/
July 4 Run 2016
July 4 was wet, but the rain didn't dampen the spirits of the runners for the Brandermill 7.4k on July 4th. Proceeds from the race benefitted Connor's Heroes. More than 170 runners participated. Baker's Kitchen even baked a batch of cupcakes to raise more money for our hero families. The holiday fun was to continue with the first-ever Connor's Heroes Parade Float. Hero Mom, Chrissy, organized her family and fellow cancer heroes in decorating a truck and trailer. Families were ready to ride the float and wave for Connor's Heroes. Mother Nature had other plans. The organizers canceled the Brandermill Parade. Oh well, maybe next year. Thank you to:
Ashley, CHF Board Member, for organizing the run,
Chrissy, Grace's mom, for organizing a team of volunteers who decorated the float,
Jimmy Whitten, Whittens Brothers & CHF Board Member, for loaning us the truck and trailer,
Brandermill July 4 7.4k Sponsors: Lucky Foot/ Lucky Road Run Shop, Primrose School of Swift Creek, Primrose School of Midlothian at Waterford and the Brandermill Neighborhood.
Bowlers for our Heroes
Thank you to Strikes For Heroes for choosing Connor's Heroes as their designated charity. Through their bowling league, they raised $5,736.75 for our programs. Families plan for college, vacations and expenses. They don't plan on a child having cancer. Strikes for Heroes means we can continue to help families by offering a helping hand and emotional support. We couldn't do it without the support of community groups like Strikes For Heroes!
Goochland Drive-In with our Heroes
In June, we invited our Hero families to a night at the Goochland Drive-In to see the movie "Finding Dory." Unfortunately, as the movie started, the storm swept in forcing us to "abandon ship!" Thankfully, everyone made it home safely. Our staff and volunteers work hard to plan fun outings for our Hero families. Your financial gifts to Connor's Heroes allow us to make the arrangements and offer them at no charge.
6th Annual Heroes Art Ball - Photo Gallery 3
Thank you to Jean Lua for capturing these wonderful moments. To see more of her photography, visit her website at:
www.jluaphotography.com/
$10,000 for Childhood Cancer Heroes
There was excitement in the air at our 6th Annual Heroes Art Ball. Maybe it was the fact that Connor's Heroes was celebrating its 10th anniversary. Or that Dr. Seth Corey, the endowed chair leading the Connor's Heroes Pediatric Cancer Research Fund, was attending. It certainly was amplified when Jeff Brownstein, Chairman of the Board Of Directors, presented the Goodwin family with a poster of the names of the 1,000 families who were helped by Connor's Heroes.
The main event of the night was the auction of paintings by our young Childhood Cancer Heroes and area artists. Each painting was an expression of the artist's journey with childhood cancer. We never know which painting will be THE ONE!
Noelle's painting was the seventh one up for auction. It is a set of paintings done on wood with bright, festive colors of orange, blue and green. She collaborated on the pieces with artist Steve Hedberg. It was appropriately named "Colorful City." Justin, the emcee, introduced Noelle (who was joined on stage by Hero sibling, Ava). He told how Noelle was diagnosed with a form of ovarian cancer that shockingly occurs in teen girls. She had surgery to remove the massive tumor and underwent many rounds of chemotherapy. Amazingly, she finds the strength to attend a prestigious magnet high school.
The bidding started and soon there was a bidding war between guests. $3,000. $5,000. $8,000. What was next? Would it be?! Yes, $10,000!!! SOLD!
The winner was a couple who are long-time friends of Connor's Heroes. They have attended every Heroes Art Ball. Their house is full of Heroes art that they have collected through the years. Each painting reminds them of the bravery of the young Hero who painted it. They are especially proud that Connor's Heroes brought a notable pediatric cancer researcher to Richmond who will lead the effort in finding cures and improving treatments for our Heroes.
This was one very special moment of a night full of special moments. We appreciate the Hero Families who joined us as our special guests. Our corporate sponsors made it so every winning bid and donation went directly to our programs and cancer research. Of course, our committee of volunteers (chaired by Brooke and Jillian) created the magic for you!
Save the date for the 7th Annual Heroes Art Ball, May 5, Science Museum of Virginia.
More information, ticketing and silent auction at the official Heroes Art Ball event site.
6th Annual Heroes Art Ball - Photo Gallery 2
Thank you to Kate Grossman for these wonderful photos! For see more of her work, visit her website at: http://kategrossman.com/
6th Annual Heroes Art Ball - Photo Gallery 1
The Heroes Art Ball is more than a fundraising event. It is a magical night where our childhood cancer patients and their families get to forget for just a little while that they are battling childhood cancer. The 2016 Heroes Art Ball raised more than $200,000. This money will provide direct support to area Hero families and fund research through the Connor's Heroes Pediatric Cancer Research Fund and the Jamie Hess Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Fund.
Save the date for May 12, 2017!
Thank you Kristin Seward for sharing your talents to captures these moments. kristinsewardphotography.com
Childhood Cancer Research
In the childhood cancer community, research is a hot topic of discussion among parents. It also is at Connor's Heroes. When Connor started his treatment, there was no focused research in pediatric cancer conducted in Richmond. Today, that is not the case thanks to The Goodwin Family. Richmond has a cancer researcher who is focused on one thing... pediatric cancer. In September 2015, Dr. Corey came to Richmond to lead the Connor's Heroes Pediatric Cancer Research Fund. The change will not happen overnight. Rest assured, with Dr. Corey, the CHF Research Fund can advocate for advancements in treatment and cures. https://www.connorsheroes.org/donate/research-fund/
Bettie Weaver Elementary Service Club
Thank you to Bettie Weaver Elementary PTA K-Kids Service Club for making small pots of flower seeds. Each one has an inspiration message. Hopefully, with some TLC, the seeds will bloom into a beautiful flower to brighten up a Hero child's room. This is one of the creative ways that kids help their fellow kids who are battling cancer. If your school or service club is in need of a project, contact Connor's Heroes. We can give you a list of items and gift cards that we know are popular in our Heroes Bags and Backpacks. Email erin at connorsheroes.org.