Tag Archive for: charlotte childhood cancer

Kids Helping Kids

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Addison Ficker, Isabella’s Dream Team

Blow out some candles and have a piece of cake!  It’s our youngest Dream Team member’s birthday!  Happy 12th Birthday Addison! 

What an honor to have Addison as a part of the ISF Dream Team.  She started running in 3rd grade through her elementary school.  Ever since, she has participated in several 5K races, pushing herself to beat her previous time.

Addison and her family volunteered at the ISF 5K/10K race last year, and they were amazed at how ISF was making a difference in our Charlotte community.  During this same time, a dear family friend, Noah Hays (#noahstrong), was battling cancer after being diagnosed at the age of 15.  Witnessing this cancer fight was tough for Addison, and she wanted to find a way to help with pediatric cancer.  

Addison learned about the ISF Dream Team and she thought this was a perfect fit for her to run and give back.  The Dream Team combines her love of running and helping others.  She wants to do whatever she can to help raise money because “no one deserves to have to go through what he (Noah) went through.”

Addison is training for the ISF 10K on September 29th.  Through her training, she has received support from friends and family through donations.  She and her friends recently raised over $100 at a neighborhood lemonade stand they organized.  Her family also hosted a hot dog cookout that raised over $500.  

We are truly amazed at your dedication Addison!  Happy Birthday from the Isabella Santos Foundation and the ISF Dream Team.

Inspired to help support Addison?  Click here to make a donation to her fundraising 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 pediatric cancer community.  If you want to join the ISF Dream Team, we would love to hear from you.  Please email us at info@isabellasantosfoundation.org.

Making Goals Together

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“I never knew the benefit of running with a group until I joined the Isabella Santos Foundation Dream Team.  I started running 5 years ago when a friend challenged me to run a 5k.  When I realized I could do it, I had the desire to improve.  However, it takes a lot of self-motivation to stay on track.  And it kind of gets boring when you are running by yourself and achieving a goal when no one else is aware of it.  

I “ran” across the Isabella Santos Foundation Dream Team 3 years ago.  I decided to attend a group run one day, and the rest is history.  I was pushed to be healthy.  I was motivated to run and cross train.  I learned how to properly train for a race.  I could not let anyone down so I tried to attend every Saturday morning group run.  I looked forward to the reward at the end of our Saturday runs –  Clean Juice with a new group of friends. But most importantly, it was incredible to see everyone cheer each other on when you are accomplishing your goals.  You celebrated together.  You laughed together.  You smiled together.  There’s no better feeling than to accomplish a personal goal and share it with others. 

I achieved a personal record on a half marathon in Fall 2017, and I never ever thought I could do it.  I owe it all to the ISF Dream Team.  There is no way I could have achieved this goal without everyone’s support, pushing me to improve my performance, and cheering me on.  I am forever grateful that I am a part of the ISF Dream Team.  

It’s not too late to join the Isabella Santos Foundation Dream Team.  I promise, you won’t regret it.” 

– Tammy Lowry

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.

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.

Jersey Mike’s raises $135,000 for local pediatric cancer foundation during nationwide Month of Giving

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37 Greater Charlotte area restaurants.  300+ smiling employees. 7,271 loaves of bread.  Countless paper sub bags.  Hundreds of community partners and long lines of volunteers, supporters and friends.  $135,000 RAISED.  Thank you for eating subs with us in March.  Thank you Jersey Mike’s Subs for your give back and make a difference attitude. It is these actions that create IMPACT.

Jersey Mike’s Subs joined forces with its generous customers throughout the Greater Charlotte area in March, to support the Isabella Santos Foundation (ISF) during the 8th Annual “Month of Giving” campaign.  The campaign raised an incredible $135,000 for ISF which will help fight rare pediatric cancer in the Charlotte region and beyond.  ISF recently committed $5 Million to establish The Isabella Santos Foundation Rare and Solid Tumor Program at Levine Children’s Hospital (LCH).  This program will oversee care for all solid tumors, rare tumors, MIBG therapy, and all related clinical and scientific research at LCH and it will be the first of its kind in the United States.

The month of fundraising culminated on March 28th with Jersey Mike’s nationwide “Day of Giving” where 100% of the sales, not just the profits, were donated to the local charities.

More than $6 million was raised by Jersey Mike’s around the country, impacting more than 170 organizations. Thank you for eating at Jersey Mike’s in March with us.  The funds raised for the Isabella Santos Foundation stay right here in the Charlotte community.  During times like these, we feel extremely humbled. Isabella has moved us and many others to take action for kids fighting cancer. Good things are happening because of Isabella’s legacy.  Thank you Queen City!

“Jersey Mike’s is very honored to be a partner with such a great organization like ISF who is making a huge impact on the fight against pediatric cancers.  It is truly amazing how many families the foundation touches and what a huge difference they are making in their lives.  We are so proud to be a small piece of all this and look forward to a long lasting relationship with ISF.” – Nick Smith, Jersey Mike’s Charlotte Franchise Owner

Charlotte Day of Giving Photos

Committed to Improving Pediatric Cancer Care in Charlotte and Beyond

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Isabella Santos Foundation

Press Conference News coverage  |  Press Conference Video

Today we announced  the largest commitment we have ever made. We are a bit scared. Very emotional. The Isabella Santos Foundation commits  $5 million to establish The Isabella Santos Foundation Rare & Solid Tumor Program at Levine Children’s Hospital.  This program will oversee care for all solid tumors, rare tumors, MIBG therapy, and all related clinical and scientific research at LCH.  We are ready to take that next step by creating a rare and special pediatric cancer program that will be the first of its kind in the United States.

We might be scared. We might be emotional.  But we feel… Energized. Hopeful. Determined. Grateful.

Our partnership with LCH will allow us to continue the legacy Isabella left.  Isabella’s motto was: Beat. Grow. Live.  “Beat cancer, grow my hair, live my dreams.”  The foundation in her name dedicates itself to broadening that, so that other kids fighting cancer may Beat (the odds), Grow (awareness), and Live (without fear).

During the LCH press conference today for the partnership announcement, Erin Santos spoke about what this day means for her personally…

“First of all I just want to take a moment and thank the team of ISF that is with me today.  I always say after events like this to remember, every time you hear the word “Erin” it really means us.  I am nothing without all of you standing next to me and none of this would happen without the people here today.

October 6th, 2007 – this day has always meant something to me because it was the day my life changed forever.  My 2-year-old daughter was next to us in pigtails – wearing a pink t-shirt with a mermaid on it that we bought her at the Fort Fisher Aquarium that summer.  We weren’t sure what we were going to be told in that tiny room but in just moments we were introduced to a word we had never heard.  Neuroblastoma.  We were quickly taken to a waiting room in clinic that would become our home for 5 years and would soon meet our new oncology family, who I still see in the audience today.  

Sure, we may of known on that day that our life would change forever.  But what we didn’t know is that the little girl that just walked through their clinic doors would change their lives forever too.  The domino effect of that day is still falling.   

I look out into this sea of faces and I see lives that will never be the same because of her.  All of the people who were there from the beginning who made my cause, their cause.  I can see kids that like her will be walked into a clinic waiting room and will see and feel this domino effect of her life due to this gift and that gives me hope and inspires us to make this commitment.

For us to take on this huge milestone with Levine, it is more than just a check.  We are not famous or wealthy – we are just normal people who are doing amazing things.  The blood, sweat and tears that we will put into raising this money will keep us up at night.   But the faith that we have in Javier, Callie, all the doctors, nurses and administration keep us moving towards this goal because we believe in you.  I know this will be one of the best things you will ever do with your life, just like us.  We are in this together and we are beyond excited to watch this program grow into something that will receive nationwide attention and bring kids from all over the country to Charlotte to have the best chance of survival.  No pressure – but I know you feel the pressure.

So thank you for allowing us to be a part of the biggest thing to happen for kids with cancer in Charlotte region and beyond.  I can’t wait to see Isabella’s name on the center that brings new hope, treatments and cures to kids with rare pediatric cancers.  The only thing better would be to have here her alongside me, but in a way – I think we all know she is.”

With this $5 million 5-year initiative, we will be changing lives.  We will be the foundation of something special.  We will have the best pediatric cancer program, right here in Charlotte, North Carolina.  And we need your help.

MORE:

The Isabella Santos Foundation Commits $5 Million to Create Rare & Solid Tumor Program at Levine Children’s Hospital

Levine Children’s Hospital gets $5M for cancer fight

Atrium Health’s Levine Children’s Hospital announce $5 million donation from Isabella Santos Foundation

$5 Million Has Been Donated to Treat Childhood Cancers by a Foundation Set Up by Parents

New specialized treatment room coming to Levine Children’s Hospital, care of Isabella Santos

Levine Children’s Hospital Gets One Of Its Largest Donations in History

$5M donation will create ‘rare and solid tumor’ program at Levine

Pediatric cancer care gets $5M boost from Isabella Santos Foundation