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About Us
Our Mission & Values
Founded in 2006 as a salute to Connor Goodwin, who triumphed after 2-1/2 years of cancer treatment as a preschooler, Connor’s Heroes is named after Connor and in honor of the heroes who supported his family throughout his treatment. Today, Connor’s Heroes is a Richmond, Virginia-based nonprofit dedicated to helping the families in Central Virginia cope with childhood cancer and our community’s researchers conquer it.
Our Mission
Building a community of heroes who provide hope, guidance, and support to children with cancer and their families.
Our Vision
To make fighting childhood cancer a journey a family never faces alone.
Our Story: Inspired By One Family’s Journey
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Our Staff
Connor’s Heroes primarily functions with the assistance of an amazing group of volunteers. We are also fortunate to be guided by a group of dedicated and experienced staff members.
Celia Tetlow Martin
Executive Director
celia@connorsheroes.org
Celia has been involved with Connor‘s Heroes since 2010 when she began volunteering. She served as Chair of the Development Committee and as Vice Chair of the Connor’s Heroes Board of Directors. She chaired the Heroes Art Ball for several years. Celia worked at University of Richmond, The Commonwealth Institute, and United Way. She is a graduate of Virginia Tech and a loyal Hokie.
Jillian Carpenter
Program Director
jillian@connorsheroes.org
Jillian has a Masters of Social Work. She centered her career around clinical social work, mental-health counseling, and bereavement care. In college and graduate school, she worked with pediatric oncology patients and their families. Prior to joining Connor’s Heroes, she served as an Assistant Professor in Teaching at the VCU School of Social Work. She is a member of the board at Full Circle Grief Center.
Dayna Cobb
Program and Volunteer Manager
dayna@connorsheroes.org
Dayna is passionate about serving families going through a medical crisis. Most of her early career was spent in retail fashion, but she later found her true calling in pediatric support services. Dayna has years of experience in compassionate family care and is dedicated to forwarding the mission of Connor’s Heroes.
Ceci Hull
Development Assistant
ceci@connorsheroes.org
Ceci is behind the scenes at Connor’s Heroes managing marketing, social media and donor relations. She comes to Connor’s Heroes with a variety of experience that is put to good use supporting our staff, donors and hero families.
Meredith Burns, MS, CCLS
Child Life Specialist, Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU
Meredith partnered with Connor’s Heroes in February 2022. As part of the Child Life Specialist (CLS) Team with CHoR, she will focus on the pediatric hematology and oncology patients when they are admitted to the hospital. She will coordinate a family’s care with the Connor’s Heroes Program Team. Meredith believes patients need to feel like children, even when they are in the hospital.
Picture Credit: Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU
Connor’s Heroes Foundation Board & Advisory Council
Our Board Members are critical to helping us achieve our mission of supporting childhood cancer heroes and their families.
Officers
Board Members
Tamara Griffin, Chair
Capital One
Marla Fergerson, Vice Chair
MSC Industrial Supply
Zach Isbell, Secretary
Emerus Holdings, Inc.
Carrie Geldreich, Treasurer
Fahrenheit Advisors
Gwendolyn Carnes
Markel
Marisa Cherry
Broadcom
Lisa Spickler Ivins, Esq.
Founder
Hirschler
Cathy Heizer
Volunteer
Austin Harris
Genexa
GT Hollet
Dominion
Diane Koontz
Healixa
Laura Markley
Farmer Focus
Will Maixner
DaVita Kidney Care
Julia Monroe
Reynolds Gallery
Juliana Moreno
Hero Parent
Johanna Orleski
Hunton Andrews Kurth
Conrad Simmons
Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU
Karrie Southall
RiverFront Investment Group
Katie Noller Tyson, MD
VCU Health
Kevin Wright
Value Added Distributors
Officers
Tamara Griffin, Chair
Capital One
Marla Fergerson, Vice Chair
MSC Industrial Supply
Zach Isbell, Secretary
Emerus Holdings, Inc.
Carrie Geldreich, Treasurer
Fahrenheit Advisors
Board Members
Gwendolyn Carnes
Markel
Marisa Cherry
Broadcom
Lisa Spickler Ivins, Esq.
Founder
Hirschler
Cathy Heizer
Volunteer
Austin Harris
Genexa
GT Hollet
Dominion
Diane Koontz
Healixa
Laura Markley
Farmer Focus
Will Maixner
DaVita Kidney Care
Julia Monroe
Reynolds Gallery
Juliana Moreno
Hero Parent
Johanna Orleski
Hunton Andrews Kurth
Conrad Simmons
Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU
Karrie Southall
RiverFront Investment Group
Katie Noller Tyson, MD
VCU Health
Kevin Wright
Value Added Distributors
Connor’s Heroes Foundation Advisory Council
We are grateful for our long-standing partnership with Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU and the VCU Massey Cancer Center. Our Advisory Council is made up of physicians and scientists from the medical field who dedicated their lives to fighting childhood cancer.
Robyn Dillion, LCSW, C-ACYFSW
Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU
Elizabeth Krieger, MD
Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Stem Cell Transplantation, Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU
Joseph Laver, MD, MHA
Chief of Hematology/Oncology, Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU
Children’s Hospital Foundation Endowed Chair in Pediatric Cancer Research
Elias Neujahr, MHA, MBA
President, Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU
Jeniece S. Roane, MS, RN, NE-BC
Associate Vice President of Operations, Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU
Jennifer Rohan, PhD, LCP
Associate Professor, Director of Psychosocial Clinical Care and Research – Hematology and Oncology, Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU
India Yount Sisler, MD
Associate Professor, Clinical Director Pediatric Hematology & Oncology, Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU
Contact Us
(804) 897-1272
admin@connorsheroes.org
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 5512, Richmond, VA 23220
Office Address:
1840 West Broad Street Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23220
Connor’s Heroes Foundation
501(c)(3) non-profit organization. EIN: 20-4992632
©2023 Connor’s Heroes Foundation
Financials
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Connor’s Heroes is committed to being good stewards of the funding we receive from individuals and corporations. You can trust that the money you give to Connor’s Heroes Foundation goes directly to helping area children with cancer and their families. If you would like to receive a copy of our Financial Statements or Form 990, please send an email to celia@connorsheroes.org or call (804) 897-1272. You can also view our profile on GuideStar. Our tax identification number is: 20-4992632.
Research
Research
Childhood cancer receives less than 4% of federal funding for cancer research. This percentage has not changed since Connor’s Heroes started in 2006. Connor’s Heroes actively funds two research funds based in Richmond, Virginia. The discoveries they make in our community will help children all over the world.
The Connor’s Heroes Pediatric Cancer Research Fund
When Connor’s Heroes began, Richmond did not have a research center for pediatric cancer. We decided to change that. We worked with the VCU Massey Cancer Center, Children’s Hospital Foundation and Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU to establish The Connor’s Heroes Pediatric Cancer Research Fund. It is the only endowed research fund in Richmond for pediatric cancer.
The Jamie Hess Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Fund
Jamie Hess’ parents established the fund after Jamie died from leukemia while on the BMT Unit in 2002. The Hess family started partnering with Connor’s Heroes in 2007 by encouraging us to support the pediatric patients who were isolated on the adult BMT Unit, and to continue to raise money for Jamie’s Fund. Today, our volunteers decorate the rooms of any child on the BMT Unit and we created the Room of Possibilities Family Room.
Ways to Give
Ways to Give
The future efforts and success of Connor’s Heroes mission depend on generous people like you who want to provide hope, guidance, and support to the children battling cancer in Central Virginia. It is easy to give your time, talent or financial gift to Connor’s Heroes.
Donate
If you like to give locally. If you are called to help kids. If you are passionate about pediatric cancer research, Connor’s Heroes makes all three possible. We are a lifeline for local families and an advocate for research. Until we find a cure, Connor’s Heroes will give each family hope, guidance, and support. Donate now to make sure no family faces their child’s cancer alone.
Giving online is easy! You decide where your money goes: to where it is needed most or to our research or bereavement funds. You can give at one time or set up a recurring monthly gift. If there is a special hero in your life, you can make a tribute gift in their honor or memory.
The Hero Squad is an exclusive group of people across Central Virginia who are passionate about their community and can inspire others to help children fight cancer. The Hero Squad is made up of professionals and community volunteers. The Jr. Hero Squad are students. All pledge to raise money for Connor’s Heroes during a month-long campaign. If you want to join the Hero Squad or you want to nominate a member, fill out the interest form posted on our website: www.connorsheroes.org/hero-squad
There are many ways you can leave a legacy to help children with cancer in Central Virginia. Connor’s Heroes accepts gifts through donor-advised funds (DAFSs) such as Community Foundation Richmond, Fidelity Charitable and Schwab Charitable. You can name Connor’s Heroes as the beneficiary of an IRA, a Bequest, or a Trust.
The Connor’s Heroes Bag and Backpack a family receives after diagnosis is filled with items purchased off our Amazon Wish List. Our Wish List includes toiletries, toys, crafts, games, gift cards, and a few special requests by a child. Pick your favorites and ship your order directly to our office. You can also order a pack of gift cards from our heroes’ favorite stores. We will mail a gift card to honor a hero’s birthday or special occasion.
Set an example for others by joining our Circle of Heroes. You will go above and beyond for our childhood cancer heroes when you commit to an annual gift of $1,000 or more. When you do, Connor’s Heroes will recognize you as one of our most generous donors through this exclusive group.
Leader: $1,000-$2,499
- Listing on the Circle of Heroes donor wall at the entrance of Connor’s Heroes office
- Printed and online recognition in the Heroes Honor Roll
- Special invitation to an exclusive Circle of Heroes event
Sustainer: $2,500 – $4,999
- Invitation to the VIP Heroes Art Ball reception and preferred event seating
- Listing on the Circle of Heroes donor wall at the entrance of Connor’s Heroes office
- Printed and online recognition in the Heroes Honor Roll
- Special invitation to an exclusive Circle of Heroes event
Visionary: $5,000 or more
- Two tickets to the Heroes Art Ball
- Special recognition in our monthly e-newsletter, Heroes & Hope, sent to more than 3,000 families, supporters, researchers, caregivers and volunteers
- Invitation to the VIP Heroes Art Ball reception and preferred event seating
- Listing on the Circle of Heroes donor wall at the entrance of Connor’s Heroes office
- Printed and online recognition in the Heroes Honor Roll
- Special invitation to an exclusive Circle of Heroes event
You can turn your birthday into a giving day and raise money to help a child with cancer. Connor’s Heroes makes it easy for you to set up a website where you can collect donations from your friends and family in honor of your special day.
In downtown Richmond, construction is transforming a city block into a new inpatient children’s hospital. You can give Connor’s Heroes permanent spaces on the new hematology and oncology floor. Can you fill a ROOM WITH HOPE for a child with cancer?
Volunteer
Do you live in Central Virginia, and would you like to give your time to help a child battling cancer? Register online. A staff member will contact you about helping children who are in treatment in Richmond, Virginia. There are several ways you can volunteer.
- Host a snack drive for the Connor’s Heroes Family Room on the 12th floor of the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.
- Volunteer at a Heroes Art Session helping the kids create!
- Ask how your church, service organization, scouting, student group, or business may be able to help children with cancer.
- Volunteer for the Heroes Art Ball.
- Host a giving party where your guests bring items for Connor’s Heroes Bags and Backpacks specified on our Amazon Wish Lists.
- Host a snack drive for the Connor’s Heroes Family Room on the 12th floor of the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.
- Volunteer at a Heroes Art Session helping the kids create!
- Volunteer for the Heroes Art Ball.
- Host a giving party where your guests bring items for Connor’s Heroes Bags and Backpacks specified on our Amazon Wish Lists.
Attend an Event
The Heroes Art Ball is our signature fundraising gala. It is a magical night that brings together our hero families with the volunteers, researchers and the community who support them. Throughout the year, there are fun runs, restaurant charity nights, art openings and family-friendly events raising money for Connor’s Heroes or the Connor’s Heroes Pediatric Cancer Research Fund.
Home
We are here for you.
If your child is diagnosed, treated or lives in Central Virginia, Connor’s Heroes can assist your family during the child’s cancer treatment and beyond.
Who are the Heroes of RVA?
Every week a child in Central Virginia is diagnosed with cancer. Since 2006, Connor’s Heroes has helped more than 1,000 children from infants to teenagers.
13th Annual Heroes Art Ball
Friday, May 3, 2024 • The Heroes Art Ball is a magical night that brings together our hero families with the volunteers, researchers, and the community who support them.
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Countdown to Heroes Art Ball