Levine Children’s has a new way to treat rare cancers. In December, they opened the Isabella Santos Foundation MIBG Therapy Suite at Levine Children’s Hospital – one of only a handful in the United States.
Alexandra (center) is the first patient to receive MIBG treatment in the new The Isabella Santos Foundation MIBG therapy suite at Levine Children’s Hospital. She has neuroblastoma and has relapsed 10 times. Alexandra’s first treatment went well, and she thought it was “so cool” to be the first patient, making history and paving the way for others.
https://isabellasantosfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/First-MIBG-Patient.jpg750750Rachel Woodhttps://isabellasantosfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/logo-animated-purple-1.gifRachel Wood2019-02-07 13:52:312019-07-03 14:33:15Charlotte now has a new way to treat rare cancers
Let’s back up a minute.I realized as a talked to different people about Charlotte Ballet’s Dancing With the Stars that people had lots of questions for me about it.Maybe I wasn’t doing a good job about communicating what I’m doing and why I’m doing it.In it’s 7th year, the Charlotte Ballet asks 6 leaders from the Charlotte community to participate in their annual event that raises money for both the Charlotte Ballet and the charity of the dancers choice.You are paired with a member of the company and have 8 weeks to practice a routine.Then on March 2nd you perform in front a sold-out crowd at the Knight Theater, the one caveat is in these 8 weeks, you are asked to raise funds or “votes” with a suggested goal of $150,000.The night of the performance, a fundraising champion is crowned as well as a judge’s choice for the best dance.Seems easy enough, right?Your selected charity receives 50% of your total funds raised – and for some dancers – it’s a shit ton of money.As an Executive Director, receiving funds for ISF with no expense on the balance sheet for raising the money is your dream.So here I am.
Right out of the gate, the dancing piece didn’t scare me.Don’t get me wrong, that night I will shake like a leaf but honestly, I know I will get through it.For me, the fundraising piece scares me.The problem with selecting me as a contestant is that my JOB is asking people for money every day.The rest of my competition probably isn’t out fundraising for a living so the ask from them may seem more rare – and therefore a little easier.I have a very giving community of supporters from ISF who I’m hoping will see how important this is and vote for Juwan and I.But what I’m also hoping will happen is the new visibility ISF receives in the community by being a part of the event.People who may have never known of Isabella or what we are trying to accomplish for kids with cancer in Charlotte may come across our story and donate/vote to help us build this rare and solid tumor program at Levine.I’m hoping new supporters and business will come out who want to support the Ballet but see the importance of what we are doing. Crossing my fingers… also, everyone likes the underdog, right?
Right now I’m a big underdog and the competitive person inside me is struggling as I see my competition inching in on $150,000 raised.(I’m just over $20,000) But people are telling me it’s early – so I’m counting on that.So I continue to practice and check in occasionally on my funds raised – that isn’t moving.But if you read about my journey and want to help – tell a neighbor, post it on your social media – email that buddy that owns a company that might make a big donation.Anything you can do to help would be appreciated.I’m honest with myself that I may not be the one with the fundraising trophy at the end, but I need to at least give it my all and would love any help you all can provide.I just don’t want to embarrass myself. ☺
Also, my competition has done a great job of filling the audience with their supporters.I’m so grateful to those of you who are coming that night to watch.Just seeing some familiar faces in the audience does wonders for me.I have asked the Ballet to hold 20 tickets for me so I can get more familiar faces to the event.These tickets are on hold until January 31st.The event is sold out so if you want them – you have a couple of days to get them.
Instructions on how to purchase from the held back tickets
1.Please visit the website here and make a donation of at least $350 to equal one Gold ticket, $700 for 2 Gold tickets, etc. Once the transaction is received it will be recoded from donation to tickets.
2.Within the guest names field please indicate “Gold Ticket Purchase” and the names of the guests using the tickets.
Now on to the dancing… or at least what kind of looks like dancing.
DAY 6
It’s freezing out.It’s Sunday and it took everything I could do to get myself out of a warm house and head uptown.Juwan seems stressed.This guy dances in the ballet, goes to school, teaches classes, deals with my uncoordinated ass, has a new boyfriend and gave up drinking and social media recently.I’ve been all over him lately about sending me the music so I can practice at home but I haven’t received it.I can tell I’m annoying him. Looking back, I should have been more patient because Juwan’s life makes mine look like I do nothing all week.We are kind of snippy with each other and there is a little tension.He takes a seat on the ground and tells me to practice my steps while he works on getting me the music.I take a walk and realize that I’m probably pushing him because I’m getting nervous.I also have personal stuff going on that weekend that I’m dealing with and I can feel myself swallowing the lump in my throat before I walk back in the studio.I am not going to cry because if I do – it really has nothing to do with the music – it’s everything else that weekend.I’m able to hold it in.“I’m being a bitch aren’t I?” Juwan says as he comes over to me.“Yes.Yes, you are.”I tell him.I realize that we are both just dealing with shit that really has nothing to do with dancing.A mental breakdown is brewing for us both.We decide to lie down on the floor next to each other and talk nothing about dancing, music or the crap that is really just below the surface for both of us, and I’m okay with this.Sometimes you just have these days.I receive the music in my inbox the next morning at 7 am.I love him.
DAY 7
Let’s start dancing again.We are working on one of my favorite parts.Juwan’s whole demeanor has changed and I can tell that both of us had a breakthrough of some kind since we saw each other last.I’m hitting the steps.I’m moving easier.I’m not nervous anymore.He asks how comfortable I am doing a stunt.Hmmm… He shows me online and I think – okay I can do that.He brings in a spotter.Wait – why do I need a spotter?Just trust me, he assures me – so I do.And just like that, he flips me backward and I land it perfectly.Confidence level – 10.Okay, try it again but no spotter.5, 6, 7, 8 and FLIP!I land hard on the balls of my feet, in heels on the hardwood floor.Both of my feet go numb.I sit down instantly and he has me put my feet up against the wall.They are tingling and I feel like I might pass out.I look at the bottom of my feet and they are already blue.I thought I had fractured both of my feet.I take off my heels and slip my Uggs on – I’m done for the day.I go home that night and watch my feet bruise from the entire sole of both feet, up the sides.By the morning, the bruises are black. Welcome to dancing.
DAY 8
Screw wearing heels.This lady is back in sneakers.The feet are tingly and a little numb but they are healing.I’m not going to practice the flip again for a while but I assure Juwan that I’m going to master it.I also let him know that the other trick I asked him to take out that took the skin off my ankles and gave me the massive knee bruise is back on.If I’m going to do this thing – I’m going all the way.My body will heal.Juwan is in great spirits and it warms my heart to see him laughing and smiling.He seems less stressed and I feel what little maternal instincts I have bubbling to the surface, wanting to take care of him but also knowing that maybe just by being a little better today in practice could help a little.I’m hitting steps, I’m sliding on the ground (doing the move that once rattled me), and I’m hitting the mark.“Look at you girl!Knowing these moves!”I shrug him off but I feel good knowing I’m making a little bit of progress.We are a little ahead of schedule and I know I have 5 weeks to clean it all up.I think I’m going to pull this thing out… if my body and my mind can hold it together.Oh, and I’m starting to have fun.Look at me.Who knew?
https://isabellasantosfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/IMG_4699.jpg13451080Rachel Woodhttps://isabellasantosfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/logo-animated-purple-1.gifRachel Wood2019-01-28 22:25:422019-02-13 17:50:54DWTS Blog #2: Why did I sign up for this again?
I’m two weeks into my rehearsal for the Charlotte Ballet’s Dancing with the Stars… let’s just say I needed week 2.The first week was a little scary.I had an idea of what I wanted to do.I knew the idea was a little out there and maybe didn’t fall in line with what most of the dancers were doing, but that is kind of who I was.I figure if I didn’t do something that was totally me – it wasn’t worth doing.I just couldn’t go out there and do some ballroom dance to some cancer song because it was relevant to Isabella.This dance was going to be different.So I worked on a playlist – sent it over and crossed my fingers.
Juwan and I had met twice already.Once in a coffee shop where it felt like a blind date where we talked about our background, our hopes and dreams and touched on some personal stories. I could have birthed him, he’s so young – but I try to get past this.I figure, let me invite him to my holiday party in December so we can get to know each other in a social setting to shake off the nerves.He arrived with his boyfriend, Mason, after a Nutcracker performance.Luckily I was a couple of drinks in so I ran to him and hugged him like an old high school bestie.Honestly, the night became a little of a blur but I definitely know our eyes connected that night when the music turned up and we really saw what we were dealing with.My main goal that night was just to prove that I’m not some old, suburban housewife who can barely get out of bed after losing her daughter.I think all those ideas were lit on fire that night.
DAY 1
This guy is crazy fun & super positive!
The first day of practice really just involved us sitting on the dance floor and listening to my playlists.10 songs was a bit much so let’s narrow it down and figure out what was a MUST and what part of the song was a MUST.Once we got up and got loose, he wanted to run through just a few moves to see if I was teachable and if I had any rhythm.Teachable… yes.Rhythm… depends on the night.I was stiff and felt like a sober mom.But, I must have impressed him enough because he said, “Ok, I can work with this”.Yikes.
DAY 2
Here we go.Damn am I stiff.I decide not to stretch out because who stretches before they go to the club?One trick in and one slide on the floor and I find myself with a pulled groin, pulled quad muscles and skin missing off my ankles.Apparently, this is real exercise and there is a way to dress for sliding around on a wooden dance floor.Noted.I tried not to complain because it was Day 1 but I left feeling a little discouraged.I felt like I could dance (a little) and I thought I was definitely in better shape than to pull every muscle in my body.Homework: buy long sweatpants.If you know me, you know I do not own this kind of clothing.But Lululemon pants weren’t giving my skin the protection it required to crawl around like I needed to.Hoping to find “cute” sweatpants somewhere.Also, I express to Juwan that I’m getting KILLED in the fundraising.He assures me it’s early but it doesn’t stop the embarrassment in my stomach with being in last place on the leader board.
DAY 3
I have never owned a pair of sweatpants!
This guy is my spirit animal!
I’m in these freaking sweatpants.I have on no makeup and a hat on.I look like shit.Juwan comes in and puts on these 6-inch heels that he got at goodwill, which makes my 6-foot tall partner closer to 6’6. We walk through what we did last week and I’m just as bad. I now have a part in the dance that I call my “Dirty Dancing Move”. You know the jump and lift that she is supposed to do but wusses out? Yeah, the slide that took the skin off my ankle is stressing me. We try to do it and I land directly on my knee. By the way, this bad knee land will produce a bruise the size of a small orange on me. Not to mention random bruises that are showing up on the other leg. (This one may or not of been acquired at the Justin Timberlake concert two nights ago.) I ask for us to put last week’s stuff in the file and move on. Our next bit comes a little easier for me. It’s a little more manageable but I’m still stiff. I’m actually not sure if I’m stiff or it’s that my partner moves like a damn snake across the floor. It would be easier if he weren’t so good. I determine that I’m not going to let his moves shake me and I must start dressing the part. I’m in sneakers, he’s in heels. That move is over.
DAY 4
Heels! Ah, I love them!
Heels.This already makes me happy.I whip them on and instantly feel like a sexpot.I’m still in sweats but I style the Under Armor pants in a way that is hip and not so… I’m running in to pick up butter and a six-pack from Wal-Mart.I’m on a work high so I’m a little giddy but start off by throwing myself under the bus.I’m not practicing.But, by saying it out loud I agree to change my ways and will seriously put some time in outside the studio.This is starting to mean something to me and my competitiveness is showing.New song.Juwan is making choreography up on the fly and I love watching his process.He does some moves, then does some fast clapping and says, “Oh my god yes.”He starts the count.Today I’m feeling it and the stiffness is fading.I think an upcoming night out with Juwan plus drinks will help this continue to fade – but he has given up drinking this month.Whatever.Quitting is for losers.He will be back on it soon and when he is ready – I’ll be there to catch him… with a bottle of Titos.We are rushed but I still have it.I leave the studio and obsess over the music.My playlist is annoying my kids but I am assuring them it is their musical education. One day they will thank me for it. WTF with this fundraising number? How are some of these cats doing so well at this? I tell myself it’s because I fundraise for a living so people are tired of my ask. But I’m in dead dead dead last. Wishing someone would swoop in and drop funds on the last place girl. I mean I’m working my ass off out here and I have the bruises to show it.
DAY 5
My partner!
Like most things in life, one good day usually leads to a not so good day.Today was one of those days where I was running late (shocker!) and was frazzled upon arrival.I was still on my dancing high from yesterday but that quickly ended.Why did I pick songs that are so damn fast?My body just doesn’t move this fast!Juwan asked if I wanted him to slow the tempo down, to which he answered as soon as it came out of his mouth to “Nope”.The songs and steps are blending in my head and we are just adding more and more to them.I’m honestly looking forward to having the next two days off because I need to gather my thoughts on these dances.I need to watch the videos, write down the moves and study them like a test.Just remembering the moves isn’t enough because they have to be sharp and cool on the beat.Write them down, test myself, and walk through them slowly, put them to music.Luckily I got a facial this week so my entire face is peeling off.Sounds like a great weekend to stay indoors and then show up Sunday to impress Juwan with my progress.I also pulled my groin again.Welcome to 41.
To add on top of this all, I thought it would be a great idea to add signing up for the Transformation Challenge at Orange Theory.3-4 classes a week plus dancing on top of that.I had the weigh-in and measurements done today.Figure if I’m going to go for it over the next 6 weeks, let’s turn this old bag of bones into something I can be proud of.Remind me of this when I start breaking down in a few weeks.
ISF has 20 tickets held for my guests so it’s not too late to purchase them until January 30th.I would love to have a big group in the audience to help calm my nerves.Yes, I know the ticket price is a little heavy but word on the street is this is one of the BEST events in Charlotte.Can’t attend the event? Go online and vote for me!I need some people out there who are pushing us out to their networks, business and individuals.We need all the help we can get!Go to gala.charlotteballet.org to buy tickets and to vote.And when you get out there and see some of these people killing us on fundraising, you will want to help.
https://isabellasantosfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Facetune_17-01-2019-16-00-12-scaled.jpg25601920Rachel Woodhttps://isabellasantosfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/logo-animated-purple-1.gifRachel Wood2019-01-17 22:15:402019-01-17 22:43:42Erin’s Journey to Dancing With the Stars: Why did I sign up for this again?
For more than 20 years, the Charlotte Business Journal has recognized outstanding local businesswomen through the Women in Business Achievement Awards program — and the time has come to reveal our 2019 honorees.
This signature awards program recognizes 25 female business leaders in the Charlotte region who’ve made significant contributions to their companies, industries and communities over the previous year.
CBJ will honor the members of the 2019 class at an awards event Feb. 25. As was the case last year, that program will take place in tandem with our Bizwomen Mentoring Monday event, which offers brief, one-on-one coaching sessions and networking opportunities. A cocktail hour, seated dinner and awards presentation will follow.
Each honoree has been asked to share a yearbook photo of herself and to consider this question: “What were you thinking at that moment when the photo was taken, and what advice would you give her today?” Those responses will be part of the program.
The honorees also will be profiled in a CBJ special report Feb. 15, with additional coverage and photos to come after the awards presentation.
Diane Honeycutt, Team Honeycutt/Allen Tate Realtors and Cabarrus County commissioner
Pat Jones, Carowinds
Elizabeth Jordan, Deloitte
Kathleen Kaney, Atrium Health
Cathie McDonald, OrthoCarolina
Rima Mehta, PNC Bank
Kelly Necessary, Dixon Hughes Goodman
Monika Nessbach, Designbar
Diana Palecek, Fox Rothschild
Scarlet Powell, Unified Technology Systems
Kim Rock, EY
Jane Rosaasen, Daimler Trucks North America
Erin Santos, Isabella Santos Foundation
Christine Steiner, Life’s Food
Stephanie Titus, Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Marcie Williams, RKW Residential
Jane Wu, Panorama Holdings
https://isabellasantosfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CBJ.png9521216Rachel Woodhttps://isabellasantosfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/logo-animated-purple-1.gifRachel Wood2019-01-16 16:00:432019-01-16 16:01:23Revealed! Here are the 2019 honorees in CBJ’s Women in Business awards program
Erin Santos with her daughter, Isabella. Santos has responded to Isabella’s death by helping others in similar situations. ANGELO MERENDINO
Each year, the Observer editorial board searches for heroes among us who make our city and region better. This year, we’ve found people who’ve made the most of a second chance, helped dads connect with children, helped students explore and forever changed treatment of cancer in Charlotte. (We published our first two honorees yesterday.) To them, and to all who make our community better, we say thank you!
Reimagining pediatric cancer care in Charlotte
Charlotte’s Isabella Santos was 2 years old when she was diagnosed in 2007 with neuroblastoma, a rare cancer that mostly afflicts very young children.
Her parents couldn’t get the treatment they needed for her in Charlotte. So they took Isabella to Sloan Kettering in New York and to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia to try to save her life.
Even as they cared for their daughter, they quickly created the Isabella Santos Foundation to raise money to fund research at Sloan Kettering for a cure. At first it wasn’t much – they raised $7,000 at their first 5K race in Ballantyne.
But Isabella’s mother, Erin Santos, quit her job at Lending Tree to work on the foundation full time, and she changed the focus. She had had the resources to take Isabella around the country, but she knew other families didn’t, with deadly results. They needed world-class treatment in Charlotte.
So Erin stopped sending money elsewhere and instead worked with Levine Children’s Hospital to treat neuroblastoma here. The foundation raised $1 million last year and $1.4 million this year. It used part of that money to partner with Levine to build an MIBG treatment room, one of fewer than 20 in the country and arguably the best.
Erin Santos and the Isabella Santos Foundation have forever changed treatment of neuroblastoma in Charlotte. But they’re not content to stop there. They have pledged to raise $5 million over five years to have Levine build a rare and solid tumor program that would treat about 15 different rare cancers. It would be the only one of its kind in the country.
Isabella Santos died in 2012 at the age of 7. But her life, through the work of her mother Erin, will benefit others for generations.
https://isabellasantosfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Erin-Isabella.jpg6411140Rachel Woodhttps://isabellasantosfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/logo-animated-purple-1.gifRachel Wood2019-01-01 15:45:452019-01-29 19:13:48Charlotte’s unsung heroes: They made Charlotte better in 2018 (Part 2)
Levine Children’s has a new way to treat rare cancers. In December, they opened the Isabella Santos Foundation MIBG Therapy Suite at Levine Children’s Hospital – one of only a handful in the United States.
Let’s back up a minute.
It’s freezing out.
Screw wearing heels.
