Tag Archive for: Isabella Santos Foundation

5K Ambassador Spotlight: Derek and Tyler James

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Derek and Tyler celebrating a post-race finish

As we gear up for the 11th Annual Isabella Santos Foundation 5K/10K for Kids Cancer this Saturday, we tapped one of our media ambassadors for some race-day tips.

Derek James, WCCB News Rising Co-Host/Staff Meteorologist, and his son Tyler will be among our ISF 5K race participants. An avid runner growing up, Derek got back into running races when Tyler was 7 and could run with him. They have run six races together and share these words of advice:

How did you get Tyler involved in running?

He saw me coach Let Me Run when he was 6 and so wanted to be on our team. He wasn’t old enough then but now I’m coaching a new team at Matthews Elementary now that he’s old enough to join.

 

Where do you enjoy running for fun?

Squirrel Lake Park is very close to our house so that’s where we typically go. It offers access to the Four Mile Creek Greenway which is a great place to run.

 

What is your most memorable race?

Tough to choose, but probably the Steve Smith Family Foundation Lace Up Son 5K. This was Tyler’s first race and it was in our town (Matthews). Tyler finished 1st in the 7 & under division and got his award from Steve Smith Sr. I ran my first Savage Race last year and that was an incredible experience as it was my first obstacle race.

 

What advice do you have for those who haven’t run before and are doing their first race at the ISF 5K/10K?

Derek: Find your perfect 5K race pace. Often on a first race you come out too fast and end up struggling somewhere near the 2-mile mark.

Tyler: Run slower at the start and then pick it up in the middle.

 

What do you both enjoy most about running together?

Derek: I love running with Tyler because it’s simple. Put on your shoes and go. Training alongside Tyler is more fun and we get to catch up and discuss anything on our minds.

Tyler: I enjoy running with dad because it’s a really good workout and it’s good to have together time and I love the training.

 

Do you have a favorite pre-race snack or meal?

Derek: Pre-race just a sports bar or a piece of toast, a little water and coffee.

Tyler:  I love a pre-race pasta and noodles dinner.

 

What’s your favorite warmup or stretch to do before run?

We like dynamic stretches leg swings and mountain climbers.

 

Running gear you couldn’t live without?

My Garmin for keeping pace.

Derek and Tyler with WCCB News@10 Anchor, Morgan Fogarty

 

If you could pick a song to push you through a tough part of a run, what would it be?

Derek: Tom Petty’s “Running Down A Dream”

Tyler: “I Love You I Need You” by Slushie

 

What are you most looking forward to at the ISF 5K/10K for Kids Cancer?

Derek: Getting outside on a beautiful morning and running a new course. Seeing other young people run in an effort to help other kids.

Tyler: I like that by running this race we get to help kids who have cancer and have fun while doing it.

An Army of Support

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Emily and Kevin know firsthand the impact an army of support can provide a family during a crisis. Their daughter, Claire, was 19 months old when she was diagnosed with Stage 4 neuroblastoma in 2011. They received an incredible outpouring of support and wanted to do the same for other families fighting childhood cancer. So they created Claire’s Army to honor Claire – who passed away in January 2012 – and to continue her legacy of her love for others.

Claire

“Our friends, family, employers, strangers and the hospital teams did so much for us during Claire’s treatments and our time of grief,” said Emily. “We wanted to do for others what others did for us.”

Through Emily and Kevin’s grief counseling at KinderMourn, time spent with other hospital families and discussions with medical providers, they realized that not everyone had support when going through a similar situation. This led to creating the following core programs at Claire’s Army:

CLAIRE PACKAGES: Claire’s Army provides a package to a new family facing a childhood cancer diagnosis at Novant Health Hemby Children’s Hospital and at Atrium Health’s Levine Children’s Hospital. The Claire Package utility tote includes towels, a journal, a gas card and additional comfort items. Valued at $150, the package helps make a family’s hospital stay more comfortable and saves them a trip to the store.

MEAL PROGRAM: Claire’s Army has several restaurant partners and a team of volunteers to deliver made-to-order meals to families at Hemby Children’s Hospital five nights a week. Their goal is to expand to Levine Children’s Hospital in the near future. Since starting this program in February 2014, Claire’s Army has delivered 4,000 meals, which offset a financial burden, provide options beyond hospital food and foster family time.

EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Claire’s Army works through oncology social workers to pay for bills to help families who are suffering financially. Emergency assistance can range from mortgage/rent payments, utilities and travel needs to insurance. In one case, Claire’s Army was able to purchase an airline ticket at the last minute for a grandmother to fly roundtrip from El Salvador to attend her grandson’s funeral service. To date, the organization has provided nearly $30,000 of emergency assistance through this program.

“We want to be able to help in any way we can and to make an already awful situation suck less,” said Emily who also spent a few years as a nurse assistant at Hemby Children’s Hospital. “As a hospital provider, it was heartbreaking to see what families go through during a diagnosis, especially if the family was alone with no other support.”

Claire’s Army hosts an annual gala – which raised $200,000 this year – and other fundraisers throughout the year. Funds support these core programs, as well as pediatric cancer research through nonprofits like the Isabella Santos Foundation.

“Claire’s life was very brief, but very impactful,” added Emily. “We hope that the work we are doing is an extension of our love for her and her love for others. We want to carry that on and help these families one at time.”

A Lasting Presence

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David Lieberman, ISF MIBG Ambassador

Isabella’s presence is POWERFUL.  In David Lieberman’s case, his nieces went to Calvary with Isabella.  David’s sister-in-law shared Isabella’s story with him, and he has been involved with ISF ever since.  

First it started off that his family participated in the annual ISF 5K every year.  “It felt tremendously good to be a part of something bigger than me.”  As David’s passion grew stronger and stronger, he continued to give back to ISF on a much larger level.  Giving back to ISF is “an opportunity to play a small role in the lives of people that are dealing with pediatric cancer.”

Even though David’s family has not been affected by cancer, he has known people who have battled it during their lifetime.  “It is highly probable that cancer will take someone that I love so I am choosing to be proactive in the fight to find a cure.”

David became an ISF MIBG Ambassador, with a goal to raise $5,000 for ISF.  You can help David reach his goal by participating in his raffle.  For $20, you receive 2 raffle tickets where you have a chance to win great prizes and gift cards.  Winners are announced on November 3rd.  For more details, visit www.JoinDavidFightCancer.com.  

That’s ACTION, David, thank you for representing ISF as a MIBG Ambassador.  Isabella thanks you!

MIBG Ambassador

Levine Children’s Hospital will now be 1 of 20 hospitals (and the first in the region) to have a MIBG Treatment room in the U.S.  The two-room MIBG suite, which will include a lead-lined patient room and an anteroom for parents and caregivers, will provide targeted radiation to pediatric neuroblastoma patients and other rare pediatric cancers with minimal side effects.  As the new MIBG treatment suite continues to progress under construction, we want to ensure that we are preparing for the kids and families who will be entering this program.  New in 2018, we have developed a fundraising program focused on MIBG Therapy – the MIBG Ambassador.  Our goal for 2018 is to have 20 members collectively raising $100,000 for this initiative.  If you are interested in becoming an MIBG Ambassador, please email info@isabellasantosfoundation.org.  

Mother-Daughter Duo Making a Difference

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Charlotte and Jennifer Gaston

Charlotte Gaston was just 11 years old when she got involved in the Isabella Santos Foundation. Her mom, Jennifer, was serving on the ISF 5K/10K for Kids Cancer marketing committee and brought Charlotte to a meeting. It was there that Charlotte shared some great ideas and was asked to join the committee.

Since getting involved in 2012, Charlotte has volunteered on the marketing committee and at the race, run in the event, and used her creative skills to fundraise for ISF. She made earrings and hair ties to sell for donations for ISF, and painted a canvas at Bella’s Birthday Bash at Small Hands Big Art. The painted canvases from the event were used in various ISF events throughout the years.

“I was just along for the ride with Charlotte’s great ideas that she brought to the table,” said Jennifer. “Charlotte and I have volunteered, distributed race materials to retail stores and have done her projects together. Sharing this experience with her has been very rewarding.”

Charlotte also helped coordinate ISF’s T-Shirt contest where she brought together students from area high schools to collect the entries and select the winning design, which was featured on the kids’ race shirts. In addition, she assembled bracelets for ISF’s Coffee For A Cure.

“It is so cool seeing how much the Isabella Santos Foundation has grown and the impact we have all had over the past six years,” said Charlotte who is now a senior at Ardrey Kell High School. “I want to stay involved as much as possible this year before I head off the college.”

Jennifer also continues to stay involved as a volunteer for the race and Coffee For A Cure, and is passionate about introducing her friends to ISF. “Volunteering with the Isabella Santos Foundation has been a great experience for both of us and has helped Charlotte see what an organization like this is capable of with the support of a lot of people,” says Jennifer. “This experience has been very meaningful and will help her in college about how to get involved and make a difference.”

Meet ISF: Director of Corporate Philanthropy

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We have a lot going on at the foundation and we are so excited when more hands join in the mix.  Meet Kerry Winslow, our new Director of Corporate Philanthropy.  Kerry has been volunteering with ISF for years and wanted to take her involvement to the next level.  And boy has she jumped right in… during her first week with ISF in June, she donated platelets for the first time ever and donated blood the next week in honor of Isabella.  Not only is she helping ISF move to the next level, she is managing the event planning for our upcoming Pumpkin Charity Ball.  Her energy and zest fit right in and we love the new perspective she is bringing.  Earlier this year ISF committed to funding $5 million to establish the Isabella Santos Foundation Rare & Solid Tumor Program at Levine Children’s Hospital. Kerry is dedicated to help us figure out how to get there and says she wanted to make a difference by being part of the impact to kids with cancer and the change to our city.

“I am inspired by hard work and grit.  One of the main reasons I decided to get involved with ISF is because I am inspired by the hard work and grit of this foundation.  The idea of a community coming together and building something that will ultimately change the landscape of pediatric oncology in our city, and our country, is truly amazing.”

A little bit about Kerry…

Do you have kids?  I have been married to my husband, David, for 20 years this August! We have 3 children David (15), Audrey (13), and Nolan (11).

What’s one thing on your bucket list?  One thing on my bucket list is to totally disconnect and spend a couple weeks exploring Greece and Italy!

What’s your favorite thing to do?  I love to travel and am always up for a quick trip to the beach or NYC.

What’s your favorite movie?  It’s a toss up between Father of the Bride and My Best Friend’s Wedding! 

What inspire you?  I am inspired by hard work and grit.  One of the main reasons I decided to get involved with ISF is because I am inspired by the hard work and grit of this foundation.  The idea of a community coming together and building something that will ultimately change the landscape of pediatric oncology in our city, and our country, is truly amazing.