Tag Archive for: charlotte childhood cancer

We are grateful…

/in , /by

We are grateful…

We always get sentimental come the holidays… for so many reasons. We have had a big year here at the foundation and not one single day passes by that we don’t miss Isabella.  It’s hard to not think about how her family is ‘one less’ during the holidays.  But good gracious what an impact Isabella’s short 7 years of life on this earth has brought. We are so grateful that her spirit lives on and her legacy will bring change and treatment options for families and kids fighting cancer. 

We are grateful for our supporters near and far.  With every year out from Isabella’s life, less of you knew her.  But you still believe in us and support kids fighting cancer in her honor. From financial donations of any amount to attending an ISF event.  From fundraising with the Dream Team to becoming an MIBG ambassador.  From simply sharing our social media content to telling your neighbor about Isabella or ISF.  It all matters… every single bit of it brings awareness and inspires change.  

We are grateful for our staff and volunteers.  The hours they work is ridiculous. Their passion is inspiring.  And not to mention grateful for the families who support them.  Without the husbands that pick up the soccer carpool duty or the grandmothers who babysit our kids so that volunteers and staff can work events… our team would not be able to do what they do. 

We are grateful for our community.  The businesses that invest in our goals, the owners and leaders who reach past their business pockets to reach into their own, and the partners who make our mission their mission. The relationships we have built with other nonprofits. It’s actually overwhelming.

We are grateful for the kids with cancer and their families that allow us to share their personal stories during a time they rather crawl in a ginormous hole and cry.  Stories of the good, bad and ugly that cancer brings to a child fighting and the family that supports them.  Without these families allowing us into their personal lives, we would not be able to help others see that a change is needed for pediatric cancer care.

We are grateful for the medical professionals who spend day in and night out taking care of kids fighting cancer and their families.  Loving them as their own.  Living as true heroes in their real life stories.  Child Life Specialists, Nurses, Doctors, Staff, Admin and more… every single one of these individuals chose to make it their life work to make a difference towards the pediatric cancer community.  

We are grateful for all the friends past and present who gave so much to Isabella and helped shape our foundation. 

We hope that today brings you a day full of love and much needed time with family.  For those who have that ‘one less’ at the table, you are in our hearts as you move through the holiday season.  We know it doesn’t get easier, but manageable takes on a whole new meaning.  We are so very grateful for every one of you that shares in Isabella’s legacy and can see that together we can do big things.

We are grateful. ????

Handbags, Heels & Horsepower, November 15th

/in /by

A room full of women who love fashion and want to make a difference.  Handbags. Heels. Mimosas. Breakfast. The newest vehicle models. Syndicated radio host, podcaster and best-selling author, Sheri Lynch.  We love this new kind of charity morning the Charlotte Auto Show (CAS) will be hosting in just 2 weeks with proceeds benefiting rare pediatric cancer research. 

We hope you will join us at Handbags, Heels & Horsepower at the Charlotte Convention Center on Thursday, November 15th, 9-11:30am.  Over 30 high-end handbags and heels will be up for raffle on the showroom floor of the Charlotte Auto Show.  You will have the opportunity to enjoy mimosas or cups of coffee while perusing the selection of retail options and beautiful new vehicles.  

A fun morning with friends as you try and snag that must-have bag, all while making an impact on kids fighting cancer in our Charlotte region.  You will see brands like Gucci, Saint Lurent, Manola Blahnik, Chloe, Rebecca Minkoff, Jimmy Choo, Tory Burch, Louis Vuitton, Kate Spade and more.

Tickets include: 

  • Admission
  • One raffle ticket
  • Free parking at the NASCAR Hall of Fame (arrive early, parking will be based on availability)
  • Beverages & breakfast.  

But make sure to increase your odds of winning that coveted handbag or heel and  purchase additional raffle tickets.  If purchased prior to November 15th, raffle tickets will be available for pick up during check-in of Handbags, Heels & Horsepower with your name/number already written on them. Believe us… that will be a huge time saver for you!

PURCHASE TICKETS & PRE-PURCHASE RAFFLE TICKETS

“I know I speak for all our local dealers in the Greater Charlotte Auto Dealers Association that we are all very proud and excited to add a new dimension of fun and giving to the annual Charlotte Auto Show.This year, we are introducing Handbags, Heels & Horsepower.Women influence more than 80% of the car buying decisions nationwide and we’re excited to have a charity event designed specifically with them in mind.We are equally excited that our charity partner for the first ever Handbags, Heels & Horsepower breakfast is the Isabella Santos Foundation.ISF is a major force locally in raising awareness and funding for treatment of rare pediatric cancer in our region.” -Jim Keffer, harlotte Auto Show Chairman

Shining a Spotlight on Joedance Film Festival

/in /by

Joedance Film Festival is held in memory of Joe

What started as a neighborhood outdoor movie night has evolved into a successful Charlotte film festival to raise funds for pediatric cancer research.

Joedance Film Festival is held the first weekend in August in Charlotte. This year marked the 9th annual festival and a major milestone for growth. Originally held in a townhome courtyard in Uptown Charlotte, Joedance recently expanded to the Charlotte Ballet Center of Dance. Several hundred people gathered for this year’s event, which screened 13 short films by film directors, writers and producers who have a Charlotte connection.

“This was the first year it was at the Charlotte Ballet Center for Dance and it was fabulous,” said Diane, Joe’s mom and founding president of Joedance Film Festival. “Changing venues was good for the festival. It felt like we grew up!”

The two-day film festival is held in memory of Joe who passed away at age 20 from bone cancer in 2010. Funds raised support rare pediatric cancer research and clinical trials at Atrium Health’s Levine Children’s Hospital. Many of the things that Joedance funds came from discussions that Joe’s family had with him before he passed away.

“As a family, we had time to deal with Joe’s cancer,” said Diane, Joe’s mom and founding president of Joedance Film Festival. “He was of an age to understand what was going on and wanted us to continue to raise funds for Levine Children’s Hospital. For him to make a list of what he wanted us to do gave us a clear path.”

The Charlotte Ballet Center of Dance is now home to Joedance Film Festival

In fulfilling Joe’s wishes, the organization established a paid summer internship program at Levine Children’s Hospital for college students in the medical field. It also funds the recurrent bone cancer trial at Jeff Gordon Children’s Hospital and the Isabella Santos Foundation. It has also committed to fund first-line research technicians at Levine Children’s Hospital’s pediatric cancer research lab, which will open in 2019. For the past six years, Joedance coordinates Modern Salon & Spa to do a spa day every other month for the parents at Levine Children’s Hospital. To date, Joedance has donated over $150,000 to Levine Children’s Hospital.

Joedance is also the beneficiary of the Premier Property Solutions Panthers Tailgate Party. The next one will take place on Sunday, November 4 at 1341 S. Mint Street. If you’re in the area, stop by and support Joedance while cheering on our Carolina Panthers.

Levine Children’s Hospital Receives $100,000 Check from Isabella Santos Foundation

/in , , /by

The ISF team gets decked out in costumes to kick off October and to present another $100,000 check to Levine Children’s Hospital

The Isabella Santos Foundation helped Atrium Health’s Levine Children’s Hospital kick off October by getting decked out in Halloween costumes and by presenting another $100,000 check to the hospital.

The Isabella Santos Foundation’s $1 million commitment to Levine Children’s Hospital started with MIBG therapy and grew to the vision of building the ISF Rare & Solid Tumor Program at the hospital. The program will oversee care for all solid tumors, rare tumors, MIBG therapy and all related clinical and scientific research at the hospital.

“As we get closer to the opening of the Isabella Santos Foundation MIBG Therapy Suite at Levine Children’s Hospital, the impact of our donations is getting real,” said Erin Santos, Executive Director and President of the Isabella Santos Foundation. “We value our partnership with Levine Children’s Hospital and appreciate our incredible supporters for making this donation possible. It’s very rewarding to know we are making a huge difference for kids with cancer in our surrounding communities.”

About Atrium Health
Atrium Health, previously Carolinas HealthCare System, one of the nation’s leading and most innovative healthcare organizations, provides a full spectrum of healthcare and wellness programs throughout the Southeast region. Its diverse network of care locations includes academic medical centers, hospitals, freestanding emergency departments, physician practices, surgical and rehabilitation centers, home health agencies, nursing homes and behavioral health centers, as well as hospice and palliative care services. Atrium Health works to enhance the overall health and well-being of its communities through high-quality patient care, education and research programs, and numerous collaborative partnerships and initiatives.

About 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. 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).

#  #  #

Pounding for Parker

/in /by

Parker and his brother

It’s no wonder why so many people are pounding for Parker. His strength, resiliency and determination are such an inspiration.

Parker was nearly seven years old when diagnosed with a very rare tumor on his spine. His cancer, which originated between one of his vertebrae, runs from his tail bone up into his lower brain. Because the tumor was mixed in with nerves in his spinal column, it was too risky to remove. So Parker underwent two different types of chemotherapy, which he completed in May 2017.

He also has more nerve damage in his left hand, but doesn’t let that stop him. Today, the fun-spirited nine-year-old is in third grade and has resumed school and his favorite sport – lacrosse. As part of his ongoing therapy, Parker continues to get monthly checkups and quarterly MRIs at Atrium Health’s Levine Children’s Hospital.

“He’s doing really well; living life like a normal kid and being a great big brother,” said his mom, Allison. “He has lots of energy, a good sense of humor and is very driven.”

Pounding for Parker Foundation check presentation to Levine Children’s Hospital

Because Parker may need additional therapy in the future and that there is no cure for his disease, his parents – Allison and Jonathan – launched the Pounding for Parker Foundation in 2017. The Foundation hosts an annual golf tournament, gala and other community events to raise funds to advance research for pediatric brain tumors and improve the quality of life for childhood cancer survivors. In its first year, the Pounding for Parker Foundation presented $100,000 to the Levine Children’s Hospital Brain Tumor Survivorship Clinic.

Among the organization’s fundraisers this year is the Pounding For Parker Foundation Gala. It will take place on Thursday, October 4 at 7:00 p.m. at Sweet Magnolia Estate in Cornelius. There will be a silent and live auction, chef-prepared food stations, beer, wine and live music. In addition, the silent auction will be online starting Thursday, September 27. For more information, to purchase tickets and to check out the silent auction, visit https://poundingforparker.org/event/.

“We’re excited to be in the Charlotte community and to give back to Levine Children’s Hospital,” said Allison. “Our doctors are like family and have really been there for us. We want to do everything we can to find a cure for pediatric brain tumors and come up with solutions for the many issues that pediatric cancer survivors face.”