Meet ISF: Lead Volunteer Coordinator

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We are thrilled to have Kristine Sniegocki step up as Lead Volunteer Coordinator for ISF.  Kristine has committed to coordinate all our volunteer needs and efforts throughout the year.  This is a HUGE undertaking and we appreciate her willingness to jump in even deeper with the organization to help our fight against pediatric cancer.  Her  husband, Dave, is pretty cool too!  They have been volunteering with ISF a long time and we appreciate their willingness to help get things done. 

One thing we have learned through working for a non profit… you bridge relationships with those you would have never met otherwise.  We have met incredible people with the biggest hearts through this organization and we hope you will want to join us to not only fight for pediatric cancer… create relationships fighting for one purpose.

A little bit about Kristine…

What is your favorite hobby?  Spending time with my family at the beach or lake

What’s one thing on your bucket list Item?  travel to Hawaii with my husband

Why volunteer with ISF?  I feel passionate about the cause to cure kids cancer.  I started volunteering for somewhat selfish reasons to give me something to do, but continue to stay because I see what ISF is doing and I’m excited to see what they can accomplish.

It’s because of people like Kristine that we continue to grow!  Email Kristine for specific volunteer questions or request to be added to our ISF Volunteer database:  kristine@isabellasantosfoundation.org

CURRENT VOLUNTEER NEEDS (Contact Kristine if interested):

Auction Committee  |   June-October 2018:

Our Silent Auction is a huge part of our fundraising efforts each year!  We don’t just need help securing items… but packaging them as well.  We receive such fun items from our generous community businesses and beyond:  Date night packages with hotel/dinner/limo, jewelry, kids activities, sports tickets and memorabilia, spa packages, vacations and more.  We would love for you to join our Auction Committee and help us make this year’s silent auction a success.  Our two auction needs are:

  1. Auction Procurement:  our community (and far beyond) have been so generous in donating items for our silent auction.  We need your help in requesting donations from local businesses and securing the items.
  2. Auction Packaging:  Don’t feel comfortable asking for donations?  We still need your help… just as much work goes into the packaging .

5K/10K For Kids Cancer Event, September 29th, 2018:  

We need over 150 volunteers to help make race-day on September 29th, 2018 go smoothly.  As our 11th annual race event, we love to see new faces stepping in to help out.   This just isn’t just a 5K/10K, we have several areas volunteers can help out with during this family friendly event: registration, kids fun zone, vendor support, raffle, medal distribution (just to name a few).  Let us know if you want to get involved on race day… such a fun way to give back while watching a community come together.

Inaugural Gala, October 26th (more details coming soon!):

We are so excited for our first annual black tie event.  And it’s going to be a special one.  Look for announcements and details coming soon.  Contact Kristine if your interested in signing up for this event, we can’t wait to share what we are working on!

Our volunteer network continues to grow and we hope you will join us. Thank you to everyone who gives their time and heart!  *Reminder* We have a “ISF Volunteer Group” Facebook page for opportunities & information. Please click & join to keep updated on volunteer listings and updates throughout the year: http://bit.ly/2vTJZDr. 

MIBG Treatment Room Construction Begins at Levine Children’s Hospital

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How satisfying is it to see your $1 MILLION worth in donations at work? To be able to touch and see the impact your dollars have on kids with cancer is immeasurable. Dawn (MIBG Therapy Program Director) and Lindsay (MIBG Head RN) stopped by the Levine Children’s Hospital ISF MIBG construction site to view the first steps of construction. Demo of the current hospital rooms where the MIBG treatment area will reside are underway, with the heavy demo starting today. We look forward to sharing progress photos and watching your impact unfold.

Levine Children’s Hospital will be 1 of 20 hospitals to have a MIBG Treatment room in the U.S. The two-room MIBG suite will provide targeted radiation to pediatric neuroblastoma patients and other rare pediatric cancers with minimal side effects. This will impact kids fighting cancer beyond the greater Charlotte region. Continue reading about the ISF MIBG room.

We are looking for individuals who want to be part of providing comfortable care for the kids/families that go through MIBG Treatment. Our new MIBG Ambassador Program gives you the flexibility of raising $5,000 the way you want to raise it… 100% of funds raised through this program will be distributed very specifically through our LCH partnership with this very targeted MIBG purpose. {You do not have to be located in Charlotte to participate, contact Tia for details}

ISF MIBG Ambassador: Tim McBride

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We are excited to announce our very first committed ISF MIBG Ambassador, Tim McBride. The ISF MIBG Ambassador is a new program we have rolled out where each ambassador commits to raising $5,000 through his/her own network. We couldn’t think of the most perfect person to help us kick this program off. Tim fundraises 365 days a year for a variety of foundations and types of cancers, all while leveraging what he knows and loves best: running, bringing joy to kids at Christmas as Santa McBeast, and making whatever impact he can in ALL that he does.

Tim just retired. So we have to make sure he stays busy! And we love that he doesn’t take no for an answer as he fights to crush cancer every single day.

Funds raised through this program will be distributed very specifically through our partnership with Levine Children’s Hospital with a very targeted purpose. So get creative and fundraise the way you want to.

We hope you will join us at our MIBG Ambassador KICK OFF meeting on May 22 at 6:30 at the Santos Home.  Drinks and light appetizers will be available.  Please R.S.V.P. by Sunday, May 20th.  If you cannot attend and would like information, please contact tia@isabellasantosfoundation.org for details.
You do not have to be in Charlotte to participate!  Email Tia for more information.
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Date: Tuesday, May 22
Time:  6:30 pm
Location:  Santos Home

That’s What Moms Do…

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Written by Erin Santos, Isabella’s Mom

For me, these are two of the pictures that most accurately describe what being a Mother to Isabella was like. My friend Angelo Merendino was in town and was taking pictures of us when we were unaware of it. Very rarely are Mom moments captured that aren’t posed. These were real moments. I knew in these pictures that we were at the end and every moment with her was heartbreaking. She didn’t know she was dying but I knew. She would crawl up on my lap and I would hold her, feeling her ribs and every bone in her body. But my expression would not change, my lip would not quiver and she would not know that I was slowly dying inside. I would just hold her and be her Mom until I couldn’t anymore. The thoughts that were running through my head were deafening but the words that came out of my mouth to her were differently entirely. I held it all in from her and just loved her and made sure she wasn’t scared.

That’s what moms do. They sacrifice themselves for you and would do anything to make you feel safe and loved – no matter what.

I can do Christmas now, I can do the day she died. But her birthday and Mother’s Day always get me because those are days about the two of us. She was never too busy on Mother’s Day. She would help organize flowers and gifts and be the first thing I saw when I would open my eyes in the morning.

I miss her like crazy and I’m so thankful I have Grant and Sophia to cuddle up with this morning. Being a Mom is the best job in the world.

Eat a FREE Sub and Support ISF

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Join us at the brand new Jersey Mike’s Subs in Waxhaw, NC and enjoy a free sub on ISF! For each coupon redeemed, May 16th-20th, Jersey Mike’s Subs will donate $2.00 to the Isabella Santos Foundation. We are excited to continue partnering with Jersey Mike’s Subs after all of the success in March’s Month of Giving! It’s simple, eat a sub and support our foundation.

Who: Jersey Mike’s Subs – Waxhaw, NC
What: Grand Opening Fundraiser – $2 Donated For Every Coupon Redeemed
When: May 16th-20th
Where: 8121 Kensington Drive, Waxhaw, NC (GET DIRECTIONS)
Why: To Support ISF’s 5 Year, $5 Million Initiative

Available Coupons:

  • Free Regular Sub (No Purchase Necessary!)
  • Buy a Regular Sub Get a Regular Sub FREE!
  • $28.95 Meal Deal – 2 Giant Subs, 4 Chips and (4) 22oz Drinks
  • $2.00 OFF ANY SUB

COUPONS MUST BE PRINTED.

CLICK THE FLYER BELOW TO SAVE & PRINT IT!