Guest Blogger: Brooke, co-chair of The Heroes Art Ball
The Heroes Art Ball is Connor's Heroes signature fund raising event. It raises more than 25% of the money we use to reach out to the children who are in treatment for childhood cancer with our Heroes Bags and Backpacks, Helping Heroes and room decorations. Last year, it reached the important milestone of netting more than $100,000. Its success is due to a dedicated committee of volunteers. Brooke shares why she volunteers behind the scenes for our hero families, even when she was thousands of miles away.
After graduating college, I felt a void in my volunteer obligations to the community. I was determined to find a way to connect my two passions, children and cancer research. A quick google search led me to Connor’s Heroes Foundation, where I have been an active volunteer for almost five years. I started helping with the Heroes Art Ball in 2012, and have participated on the planning committee for four years. This past year, I served as the event Co-Chair. I made wonderful friends through the process and I love giving my time to Connor's Heroes - an organization who is making a difference in the lives of children battling cancer.
My commitment to Connor's Heroes and the families we support can be shown by this example. In 2013, my husband and I set out on an adventure to Idaho, thankfully for just a year. I made him promise me that I could fly back to Virginia in May for The Heroes Art Ball. Not only that, but while in Idaho, I became determined to stay connected to my Connor’s Heroes “family” regardless of the 2,400 miles between us. Believe it or not, I assisted the Silent Auction Committee with gathering donations for the 2014 Heroes Art Ball. I was so happy to come back to the event that started my involvement with Connor’s Heroes. When each young Hero proudly walked across the stage carrying his/her masterpiece, and when the auctioneer shouted “Sold” to the highest bidder, the look the child's face is priceless. The dedication, hard work, and countless hours that the volunteers of Connor’s Heroes put into making the Heroes Art Ball a success is worth it for moments like that!
Connor’s Heroes welcomed me as a volunteer five years ago, helped me find a way to make a difference, and truly values my involvement. I can’t think of any organization I’d rather be involved with and I can’t wait to continue my efforts as Co-Chair for The Heroes Art Ball 2016, which will kick off Connor’s Heroes’ 10th anniversary!
The Heroes Art Ball isn't the only fund raising gala benefitting Connor's Heroes. On November 21, at the Science Museum of Virginia, area young professionals will celebrate The Ultimate 80s Bash. A night of live music from The Breakfast Club, open bar and dinner. Proceeds benefit Connor's Heroes. The invitation links you to all the details and tickets.
Transforming a hospital room into a home
This month, we already have four children scheduled at Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU for their bone marrow transplants. Two are teens who have put high school on hold and the others are younger children. Connor's Heroes is one of a few nonprofits who are allowed to be in the Bone Marrow Unit with cancer's youngest patients. Our first task is organizing teams of volunteers who will decorate the hospital rooms of each child. When a child registers with Connor's Heroes, the parents/caregivers list his/her favorite movies, cartoons, colors and crafts. On the day of admission, we surprised them with a room that's been transformed into a comfy bedroom with decorations, bedding and decor. Here are photos of the rooms we’ve decorated over the past several. As you see, each one is different. Just like our patients. Erin will be in the hospital all this week, helping the families adjust. Keep them in your thoughts.
Rooting for Thomas
We've found a community of heroes from across the country thanks to David and his team at Capital One. David was moved by the Goodwin Family's story and their determination to help every child who is in treatment here in Richmond. One of those children is Thomas, an 11-year-old boy. Thomas was a hero at a Heroes Art Ball after he was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare cancer of the muscles and connective tissues in 2012. In September 2015, he learned the heart-breaking news that his cancer has returned - for a third time! He is back in treatment for his biggest fight yet. Connor's Heroes is there once again. Knowing Thomas is a fan of the Seattle Seahawks, Capital One employees from offices across the country got him a bag full of Seahawks merchandise, gift cards, and tickets to see them play the Baltimore Ravens in Decemeber - the day after his 12th birthday! Connor's Heroes worked with Capital One in getting it all to Thomas. It's a moment of great happiness for a wonderful boy.
Heroes Helping Heroes
September's Childhood Cancer Awareness Month brought out the generosity of our youngest supporters -- the kids of Connor's Heroes! Campbell ("Soup"), a hero from one of our Heroes Art Balls, asked her friends to buy new toys, stuffed animals and school supplies for our Heroes Bags and Backpacks. Soup is recently out of treatment but she's never forgotten the children who are in the hospital braving cancer like she did. Three-year-old Owen had a birthday full of toys but they weren't for him. He and his family donated gift cards, new toys and crafts for Connor's Heroes. If you'd like to turn your next birthday party into a GIVING party, contact Connor's Heroes. You can find lots of great information on how and a list of needed items. When you're ready to deliver your donations, email erin@connorsheroes.org to schedule a time. Can't wait to meet you!
Tee Off with one of these sports stars
Still deciding if it's worth registering a team to play golf at the 3rd Annual Jim Coates Celebrity Golf Tournament? If knowing that your participation will directly help the hundreds of children who come to Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU for treatment isn't enough, how about the chance to spend the afternoon with these professional athletes?! There's still time to register your foursome. Corporate teams are $1000 and individual teams are $600. You'll be joined with a sports celebrity (or two), treated to a lunch and then a delicious prime rib and shrimp dinner. Businesses can promote their products and services by being a sponsor. PDF for information Sponsorship levels range from $150 - $5,000. Keep reading for all the details!
The Jim Coates Celebrity Golf Tournament, October 23, Royal New Kent Golf Club
Chuck Boone, Former University of Richmond Baseball Coach & Athletic Director
Aaron Brooks, Former NFL Quarterback, New Orleans Saints
Bill Littlepage, Winningest Coach in VHSL AAA History
Bobby Dandridge, Former NBA Player, Milwaukee Bucks
Brian Mitchell, Former Running Back, Washington Redskins
Dion Foxx, Former NFL Linebacker
Gene Alley, Former MLB Shortstop, Pittsburgh Pirates
Harry Saferight, Former MLB Player, Pittsburgh Pirates
Jim Coates, Former MLB Pitcher - 2 Time World Series Champion
Johnny Grubb, Former MLB Outfielder - Baseball Coach Meadowbrook HS
Roger Brown, Former Defensive Tackle, Detroit Lions
You have two ways to register your team.
1) Download this PDF of the registration form. Follow the instructions on how to pay your registration fee either by check or online at www.connorsheroes.org/donate
2) Email Tournament Director, Billy Gray, at Coach1111@aol.com the following information about your team: Company name & contact, mailing address, email address, primary phone number and names of those on the golf team. You'll receive instructions how to pay your registration fee either by check or online at www.connorsheroes.org/donate
Celebrity Golf Tournament
We are thrilled to be designated charity for a golf tournament that pairs YOU with pro sports players. Come join Jim Coates, former NY Yankees World Series Pitcher, and players from teams such as the Washington Redskins, Chicago Bears, and Pittsburg Pirates for a day of golf that raises money for Connor's Heroes and a 15-month-old boy in treatment for a rare form of eye cancer. Teams are forming right now.You can mail your registration fee or pay online via credit card at our secure site. You have two ways to register your team.
1) Download this PDF of the registration form. Follow the instructions on how to pay your registration fee either by check or online at www.connorsheroes.org/donate
2) Email Tournament Director, Billy Gray, at Coach1111@aol.com the following information about your team: Company name & contact, mailing address, email address, primary phone number and names of those on the golf team. You'll receive instructions how to pay your registration fee either by check or online at www.connorsheroes.org/donate
When you pay your registration fee online at www.connorsheroes.org/donate, be sure to type "GOLF TOURNAMENT" in the note.
Proceeds from your registration and sponsorship will raise money for our programs and help Braxton's family pay for the travel expenses they have for traveling to Philadelphia for his treatments.
Teen Hero Featured in Local News
Who knew an email from Connor's Heroes would lead to an amazing news story about our Hero D'Marco? In our August email, I shared the video of D'Marco's high school graduation speech. Thousands of people watched the speech. Amy Lacy, co-anchor for Channel 8 News, contacted me because she was so moved by D'Marco's amazing spirit. So, Amy donned a hospital gown and mask for her interview in his hospital room. Amy did a wonderful job of letting D'Marco encourage everyone, especially young adults, to register and be swabbed through Be A Match. Miraculously, a match has been found -- someone in Brazil. The transplant is being flown in and D'Marco will begin his bone marrow transplant this week. Connor's Heroes will continue to help D'Marco and his mom. Our volunteer and her friends made his hospital room feel more like a home. He will have plenty of gift cards for meals, gas, groceries. And we'll cheer him on as he reaches Day Zero (his new birthday).
If you are moved to help a teen such as D'Marco, you have two opportunities: Donate to Connor's Heroes in support of outreach to children and teens who are in the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit and register on www.BeTheMatch.org. Be The Match is in need of young adults who can help teens such as D'Marco.
Announcing Richmond’s First Endowed Chair in Pediatric Research
The Connor's Heroes Foundation Board of Directors, along with co-founders Steve and Lisa Goodwin, are delighted to welcome to Richmond Seth J. Corey, M.D., M.P.H, as the first endowed chair in pediatric cancer research. He will conduct research at the VCU Massey Cancer Center with funding provided, in part, by the Connor's Heroes Pediatric Cancer Research Fund. His position starts effective October 1, 2015. In honor of this important announcement, Connor's Heroes produced a new video to showcase the programs we provide to more than 100 families each year who are in treatment at Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU. Featuring parents who've been helped by Connor's Heroes as well as Lisa and Connor Goodwin, this five minute video reminds you how easy it is to be a hero to a child battling cancer and why we need research focused on cancer's youngest heroes.
Dr. Corey received his undergraduate degree from Yale and his medical and graduate degrees from Tulane. He completed his residency at St. Louis Children’s Hospital and his fellowship at Boston Children’s Hospital/Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. After his fellowship in Boston, he spent 10 years at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, 6 years as Chief of Pediatric Leukemia and Lymphoma at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, and the last 8 years at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago as the Murphy-Rosen Research Professor of Cancer Biology and Chemotherapy.
Dr. Corey has served on numerous committees, received many Top Doctor awards, served on loads of editorial and review boards, is a grant reviewer for many organizations including NIH, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Alex’s Lemonade Stand, American Cancer Society, and more. He is a prolific author and speaker, publishing well over 100 articles and, most recently a book.
Dr. Corey and his Alejandra, have four grown children, Leah, Max, Tomás, and Federico.
Guest Blogger: Savanna’s mom, Kelly
Imagine having your children in the hospital at the same time. Eight-year-old Savanna was in the bone marrow unit fighting for her life while her 11-year-old brother was in the bed next to her saving it. He was her bone marrow donor. Mom, Kelly, shares her journal entry from that day. This is the fourth in our series during September’s Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
October 27, 2014: It’s 5 a.m., maybe a little earlier, when my husband started texting to me. I have been waking up without him by my side more often than not these days. Asher, our son, is awake and they are getting ready to make their way to the hospital. Today is a big day for Asher. Today, our 11-year-old son is showing unconditional love to help save his 8-year-old sister’s life. Asher elected to donate his bone marrow when tests determined he was her match. Doctors diagnosed Savanna with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) five months ago. I’ve been with Savanna in the bone marrow unit at MCV since then. Savanna finished a week of high doses of chemo and radiation to prepare her body for the healthy, cancer-free bone marrow from her brother.
This early morning, Asher went under general anesthesia and had a breathing tube placed in his airway. Once asleep, the doctors pierced his bone with large needles (he hates needles). Dad and I were in the pediatric waiting room with the kids’ grandparents. We wait for news; our stomachs in knots.
My phone buzzes. It’s my brother texting me from the other side of MCV. He and Savanna want to check on Asher. I thank my brother for staying with Savanna. I thank Savanna for being so brave to let mommy and daddy be with Asher while he is in surgery. Right now, Savanna is weak and pale. Her immune system is non-existent. I think about how fragile she is. My stomach is in knots again.
Both my children are in the same hospital, in different units. This is a moment I thought would never happen to my family. I miss our safe bubble. The doctor comes out with an update. Asher tolerated the procedure well. He still has his breathing tube. They took his bone marrow to the lab to be processed.
We finally see Asher. We text Savanna pictures of Asher giving her the “thumbs up.” I was touched that Connor’s Heroes made Asher feel special like they did for Savanna throughout her treatment. Fran bought him a balloon and a certificate in his honor. I have two heroes in my family.
Before Asher is released from recovery, we receive the call that his bone marrow is ready for Savanna’s transfusion! Everyone hustles to get Asher a bed in Savanna’s room. Asher watches his sister get the infusion of his bone marrow that will save her life. Stress, fear, anxiety, awe, joy, gratitude. Love in its purest forms. All felt in the same day. My family is together again.
Unlimited fun in Kid Zone
DiggityFEST is Sunday, Sept 27. The main attraction is the music with Susan Greenbaum Band, Silly Bus and the final performance of The Diggity Dudes. In between sets, your child will have a great time at our Kid Zone sponsored by Chippenham Pediatrics. A $5 donation to Connor's Heroes gives your child a wrist band for unlimited fun. Inside the Kid Zone are tables of crafts, games, fun bounce houses and inflatables. The area is covered by a tent so your child can still play outside, even if it is raining. DiggityFEST happens rain or shine. Our website has all the details about the fun you can have a DiggityFEST.