ISF MIBG Ambassador: Cynthia & Kat Wood

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GOAL: Run 50K in 1 year to raise $5K for ISF. Say what??
 
This will be Cynthia’s 4th year fundraising for ISF and she has enlisted a special partner in crime. Cynthia decided to sign up as a MIBG Ambassador and think outside the box for her fundraising. Cynthia and her daughter, Kat, are committing to rack up 50K in runs to raise $5,000 within a year of this coming Thursday (June 28th)… the anniversary of Isabella’s passing.
 
Fundraising year after year gets hard, no matter who you are! Not only do we love that Cynthia’s daughter is getting involved (kids helping kids make our hearts melt), but that they are doing something different and new. Thank you Cynthia and Kat for your dedication in honor of Isabella. We can’t express how grateful we are!
 
Learn more about what it means to become an MIBG Ambassador.  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.

MIBG Construction Update #2, Levine Children’s Hospital

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Our day is made when we receive MIBG treatment room construction updates from Nurse Dawn, Levine Children’s Hospital MIBG Therapy Program Director!  This is really happening… look at the ISF MIBG sign that labels the suite!  Steel beams will be going up next and the lead brick walls will be installed in about 4-6 weeks. The suite was designed with lead bricks, a radiation shielding element, and will include lead-lined floors, walls, and ceilings.  This will protect and manage the MIBG Therapy safely for both patients and staff.  Lead bricks are extremely heavy, we can’t wait to see photos/video of them lifting them up to the top floor of LCH! 

The ISF MIBG treatment suite enables parents to stay close to their child throughout the cancer treatment, and consists of a lead-lined patient room, an adjoining room with a lead-lined viewing window where family members can spend the night.

LCH Core Nursing Staff training is coming up on June 19th and 26th. Dawn will be sharing tons of information soon to help educate everyone on MIBG treatment, family education and even what to expect as a patient.  

We love that Dawn got her own personal hard hat to keep because she likes to check on construction progress often.  We couldn’t have asked for a better MIBG Therapy Program Director… and we look forward to sharing her story soon too!  It’s the Dawns’ of the world that are making these visions of better cancer care become a reality.

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}

Update #1: MIBG Treatment Room Construction Begins at Levine Children’s Hospital

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

R4R: The Greg Olsen Foundation and Isabella Santos Foundation to Host Pumpkin Charity Ball to Benefit Levine Children’s Hospital

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. – June 25, 2018 – Receptions for Research: The Greg Olsen Foundation (R4R) together with the Isabella Santos Foundation (ISF) announced today that they are hosting a charity gala to support Atrium Health’s Levine Children’s Hospital. The charities have teamed up to host the event because they are each helping to revolutionize the treatment options for pediatric patients and their families at the hospital.

The Pumpkin Charity Ball, a black-and-white themed formal event, will take place Friday, Oct. 26 at The Ballantyne Hotel from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Tickets cost $250 and can be purchased at pumpkincharityball.org. For sponsorship opportunities, contact info@pumpkincharityball.org.

R4R and ISF are both establishing innovative healthcare programs at Levine Children’s Hospital to treat pediatric cardiology and oncology patients respectively. The charity gala will raise funds to support these two large undertakings that will help solidify Levine Children’s Hospital as a leading healthcare provider in the U.S.

“It’s exciting to join forces with the Isabella Santos Foundation to better the lives of the children being treated at our local hospital. What’s truly outstanding is these collective efforts are catapulting our community hospital into a world-class medical institution that’s leading the way in pediatric heart disease and cancer,” Greg Olsen, the founder of R4R, said.

R4R, under The HEARTest Yard program, is establishing a Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Program that will house a wide range of care, including physical therapy, occupational therapy and other treatment resources typically required of those with cardiac conditions, for pediatric heart patients from birth into adulthood. The clinic at Levine Children’s Hospital will be the first of its kind in the Southeast U.S. Other leading pediatric cardiology hospitals show a tremendous benefit in patient care and vitality under this all-encompassing clinical model.

Similarly, ISF has partnered with Levine Children’s Hospital to establish the Isabella Santos Foundation Rare and Solid Tumor Program. The program will oversee care for all solid tumors, rare tumors, MIBG therapy and all related clinical and scientific research at the hospital.

“We are thrilled about this gala with The HEARTest Yard,” said Erin Santos, executive director and president of the Isabella Santos Foundation. “Both of our organizations are dedicated to elevating Levine Children’s Hospital to the next level while furthering the programs and treatment options for patients and their families. This event and collaboration will allow us to carry on Isabella’s legacy while helping other kids who are fighting cancer and congenital heart disease to Beat (the odds), Grow (awareness) and Live (without fear). ”

ABOUT RECEPTIONS FOR RESEARCH: THE GREG OLSEN FOUNDATION

Receptions for Research: The Greg Olsen Foundation, under The HEARTest Yard program, provides financial support for children with congenital heart disease being treated at Levine Children’s Hospital. The funds cover in-home nursing care and tablet-based medical consultation at no expense to the families. The HEARTest Yard’s future venture establishes a Cardiac Neurodevelopment Center that will house a wide range of treatment resources typically required of those with cardiac conditions for pediatric heart patients from birth into adulthood. The clinic at Levine Children’s Hospital will be the first of its kind in the Southeast U.S., and other prominent pediatric cardiology hospitals show a tremendous benefit in patient care and vitality under this all-encompassing clinical model. For more information, visit https://receptionsforresearch.org/the-heartest-yard/.

ABOUT THE ISABELLA SANTOS FOUNDATION

The Isabella Santos Foundation (ISF) is a 501(c)3 childhood cancer foundation dedicated to raising funds for research for neuroblastoma, other rare pediatric cancers, and charities that directly impact the lives of children with cancer. ISF was founded in honor of Isabella Santos from Charlotte, N.C. who lost her battle against neuroblastoma in 2012. ISF works to improve rare pediatric cancer treatment options in an effort to improve the survival rate of kids with cancer. For more information, visit www.isabellasantosfoundation.org  or follow ISF on Facebook (www.facebook.com/IsabellaSantosFoundation), Instagram (www.instagram.com/theisfoundation) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/TheISFoundation).

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CONTACT:

Jenni Walker – Walker PR Group – 980-339-8041-office/704-649-6571-cell

jenni@walkerprgroup.com

 

Kristen McCullough, director of communication, R4R: The Greg Olsen Foundation, kmccullough@r4r.org

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}