Tag Archive for: charlotte childhood cancer

I Run for a Cure

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Christine Brent, Isabella’s Dream Team

It’s amazing how someone can impact your life forever.  For Christine Brent, it started almost a decade ago.  Christine met The Santos’ when they were expecting Isabella.  She helped Erin decorate her nursery, she knew when Isabella was diagnosed with cancer, and she committed to help the Isabella Santos Foundation any way that she could.  Family donations.  Fundraising support through her career.  Volunteering on the marketing committee.  Joining the ISF Dream Team.  It has been life changing for Christine, and nothing gets in her way.

About two years ago, Christine started to notice that her hip was giving her fits.  After several visits with doctors, they concluded she had hip dysplasia.  It got to a point where she could not sleep, barely walk, and the pain was no longer tolerable.  She only had one option left – a hip replacement.  

On March 19th, Christine received a hip replacement.  She walked on day one.  She was off of a walker by week two.  She followed every exercise and stretch they recommended.  She was released and back to work 4 weeks after her hip replacement.

So how is she today?  She is training with the ISF Dream Team for a race this Fall.  She has accomplished the Savannah Half Marathon, the Savannah Half Marathon Relay, and the Charlotte Marathon Relay with the Dream Team.  And, she will do it again!  Christine Brent will not stop giving back for Isabella.

“I run for all those who fight now, have fought in the past, or will fight in the future.  I run for a cure.”

Christine’s goal is to raise $7,000 this year for Isabella.  Help her reach her goal by donating to her First Giving page:  https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/keithandchristine-brent-1/2018-Isabella-s-Dream-Team.

ISF Dream Team

The ISF Dream Team, created in 2014, is a running group that assists you in training to run the race of your dreams.  You can train for a 5k, 10k, half marathon, half marathon relay, full marathon relay, or a full marathon.  You are provided a training schedule, invited to group runs, and inspired by a phenomenal team of people.  Not only will you meet a dynamic group of people, but you will also be inspired through your friends and family as they support you through the training.  The ISF Dream Team has raised over $400,000 to date, with the funds contributing to our local Charlotte community.  If you want to join the ISF Dream Team, we would love to hear from you.  Please email us at info@isabellasantosfoundation.org.

 

Exercise to Help Save Lives

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Isabella’s Dream Team

Exercise.  Whether we run, go to the gym, attend a yoga class, or simply power walk – we all exercise for a reason.  Most of the time, it’s the obvious reasons . . .   Stay healthy.  Lose weight.  Challenge yourself to see if you can do it.  Relieve stress.  Gain muscle.  Sense of accomplishment.

What if one of those reasons to exercise could be to help save a life?  Would you do it?

The Isabella Santos Foundation (ISF) Dream Team does just that.  We exercise to help save lives.  

Join us  Saturday, August 11th, for a group run!

  • Who: ISF Dream Team
  • What: Group run!
  • Where: Little Sugar Creek Greenway
  • Meet at Park Road Shopping Center 4101 Park Road, Charlotte, NC
  • When: Saturday, August 11 at 7am
  • Why: Help save a life!

Email us at info@isabellasantosfoundation.org for more details.

The ISF Dream Team is a running group that assists you in training to run the race of your dreams. You can train for a 5k, 10k, half marathon, half marathon relay, full marathon relay, or a full marathon.  You are provided a training schedule, invited to group runs, and inspired by a phenomenal team of people.  Not only will you meet a dynamic group of people, but you will also be inspired through your friends and family as they support you through the training.  The ISF Dream Team has raised over $400,000 to date, with the funds contributing to our local Charlotte community.

Testing the Limits of the Human Heart

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“The real purpose of running isn’t to win a race.  It’s to test the limits of the human heart.” – Bill Bowerman, track and field coach and co-founder of Nike, Inc.

Geo Neto, Isabella’s Dream Team

Geo Neto, a new member to the ISF Dream Team, knows what it feels like to test the human heart.  In 1988 at the age of 14, he was diagnosed with ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia).  He knew this diagnosis wasn’t good –  but he was young, naïve, and didn’t truly understand what would happen to him.  30 years ago, information on ALL wasn’t as readily available.  He was sick.  He was scared.  And it scared his entire family – parents, siblings, uncles, and grandparents.  Everyone felt the pain, fighting together to save Geo.

Geo fought for his life and he has gotten to the other side.  Through this journey, he has learned how important it is to remain healthy, so he challenges himself to stay active.  In 2017, he ran the Isabella Santos Foundation 10K.  At the race, he learned more about ISF and the mission of raising funds and awareness for pediatric cancer.  As he was setting his fitness goals for this year, he was also motivated to make a difference in our Charlotte community.  So, he joined the ISF Dream Team.   

Geo is making a difference . . . running, raising funds for pediatric cancer, and honoring those who are battling cancer.  His human heart is also honoring his family. “There is nothing that I can do that will ever thank them enough for everything that they did for me” when I was fighting for my life.

What an honor, Geo, to have you as a part of our ISF family.

Let’s all put our hearts together and support Geo.  Please click here to make a donation to his ISF First Giving page.

ISF Dream Team

The ISF Dream Team, created in 2014, is a running group that assists you in training to run the race of your dreams.  You can train for a 5k, 10k, half marathon, half marathon relay, full marathon relay, or a full marathon.  You are provided a training schedule, invited to group runs, and inspired by a phenomenal team of people.  Not only will you meet a dynamic group of people, but you will also be inspired through your friends and family as they support you through the training.  The ISF Dream Team has raised over $400,000 to date, with the funds contributing to our local Charlotte community.  If you want to join the ISF Dream Team, we would love to hear from you.  Please email us at info@isabellasantosfoundation.org.

Isabella Santos Foundation 5K and 10K for Kids Cancer to Race Through Ballantyne – Sept. 29

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Aug. 6, 2018 – Grab your running shoes and craziest purple gear, and join the Isabella Santos Foundation for its 11th Annual 5K/10K for Kids Cancer and 1-Mile Fun Run on Saturday, Sept. 29 in Ballantyne Corporate Park.

“Our annual 5K and 10K for Kids Cancer brings our community together to help celebrate Isabella’s life, raise funds for pediatric cancer research and to commemorate Childhood Cancer Awareness Month,” said Erin Santos, Executive Director and President of the Isabella Santos Foundation. “This is a fun, family-friendly event so we encourage people of all ages to join us in running or walking and turning Ballantyne into a sea of purple. Four-legged friends are welcome too!”

The event will take place from 7:30 – 10:30 a.m. at Ballantyne Corporate Park located at 15801 Brixham Hill Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28277. Race activities will go from 7:30 – 9:30 a.m. with the Kids Fun Zone and Silent Auction/Raffle open from 7:30 – 10:30 a.m. Registration fees vary and participants may register individually or as a team. For more information or to register, visit https://isabellasantosfoundation.org/.

Participants can further support the cause by creating a personal fundraising page and raising donations. Those not able to join the race can register as a Phantom Runner and will receive a T-shirt through the mail.

The family-friendly event provides fun for the entire family including: food and refreshments while supplies last; a silent auction and raffle; and a Kids Zone with games, face painting, slides, jump house and photo booth.

Brighthouse Financial is the presenting sponsor. Other sponsors include: Atrium Health’s Levine Children’s Hospital, AvidXchange, Ballantyne Pediatric Dentistry, Charlotte Eye Ears Nose and Throat, Community Blood Center of the Carolinas, Charlotte Smarty Pants, Cochrane Steel, Diamonds Direct, Dickens Mitchener, Hustle House, Merrill Lynch – The Rivlin Firestone Group,

Maxim Tickets, Modern Nissan of Lake Norman, Jersey Mike’s Subs, MassMutual Carolinas, Northwood Office, OrthoCarolina, Perfect Fit Placement, ScoopCharlotte, The Stone Man and Whole Foods Market. For more information about being a sponsor, contact Karen Murphy at kmurphy@isabellasantosfoundation.com.

Added Santos, “Huge thanks to our generous sponsors who help make this event a success. We are incredibly fortunate to have such wonderful organizations supporting Isabella’s dream of a world with no more cancer.”

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).

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CONTACT:

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

jenni@walkerprgroup.com

Isabella Santos Foundation Presents $100,000 Check to Levine Children’s Hospital

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Left to right: Katie Winslow, Erin Santos and Karen Murphy with the Isabella Santos Foundation present Dr. Javier Oesterheld (specialty medical director of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/BMT at Levine Children’s Hospital) with a $100,000 check to Atrium Health’s Levine’s Children’s Hospital.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Aug. 2, 2018 – The Isabella Santos Foundation announced today the presentation of a $100,000 donation to Atrium Health’s Levine Children’s 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.

“Levine Children’s Hospital is an incredible partner in helping us further our mission, so we are thrilled to present them this gift that will make a huge impact on kids with cancer,” said Erin Santos, Executive Director and President of the Isabella Santos Foundation. “We are grateful to our generous supporters for making this donation possible and for enabling us to bring leading pediatric cancer treatments to local children 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).

 

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CONTACT:

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

jenni@walkerprgroup.com