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2017 SESSION


HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 340
Commending Connor's Heroes Foundation.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 3, 2017

 

WHEREAS, for 10 years, Connor’s Heroes Foundation, a nonprofit organization in Richmond, has provided hope, guidance, and assistance to children with cancer and their families through individualized programs and direct support for the Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center; and

WHEREAS, founded by Lisa and Steven Goodwin in 2006, after their son, Connor, successfully completed more than two years of treatment for leukemia, Connor’s Heroes provides a compassionate, comprehensive support system for children and families facing pediatric cancer; and

WHEREAS, Connor’s Heroes has served more than 1,000 families in the Richmond area through its Heroes Bags and Backpacks, Helping Heroes, Superheroes and Sidekicks, and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit Support programs; and

WHEREAS, Connor’s Heroes works to ease the burdens of extended hospital stays for cancer treatment through its Heroes Bags and Backpacks program, which provides bags filled with toys, games, and practical necessities such as gas cards or gift certificates for housecleaning; and

WHEREAS, the Connor’s Heroes Helping Heroes program also helps provide normalcy when an extended hospital stay disrupts everyday life; using a personalized care calendar, a team of trained volunteers delivers meals, shops for groceries, and assists with household chores and other errands; and

WHEREAS, the Connor’s Heroes Superheroes and Sidekicks helps counter a sense of isolation and low self-esteem by taking children on fun activities or spending quality time with them in clinics, at the hospital, or at home; and

WHEREAS, the Connor’s Heroes Bone Marrow Transplant Support Unit helps children feel comfortable during the transplant process by decorating their rooms with their favorite colors, characters, or sports team; Connor’s Heroes also created the Room of Possibilities, where families can spend time nearby; and

WHEREAS, recognizing that not every fight with pediatric cancer can be won, Connor’s Heroes offers bereavement counseling and provides financial support to families through its Heroes Angel Fund; and

WHEREAS, in 2007, Connor’s Heroes created a Pediatric Cancer Research Endowment Fund with an initial gift of $10,000; the fund has received more than $1 million and directly supports the work of Dr. Seth Corey, Richmond’s first endowed chair of pediatric cancer research; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Connor’s Heroes Foundation hereby be commended for its compassionate service to children and families in Richmond on the occasion of its 10th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Connor’s Heroes Foundation as an expression of the House of Delegates’ admiration for the foundation’s work to ensure that no child has to face the fight against cancer alone.