A $250,000 gift from a local childhood cancer organization will double its impact for kids, families and team members at CHoR with a matching gift from Children’s Hospital Foundation.
The donation from Connor’s Heroes, an organization started by Lisa and Steve Goodwin in 2006 after their son, Connor, was diagnosed with leukemia, will support five specialized rooms on the 12th floor of our Wonder Tower when it opens in 2023.
“The rooms will offer much needed spaces for families and will enhance the mission of Connor’s Heroes to provide hope, guidance and support to children with cancer and their families,” said Celia Tetlow Martin, executive director, Connor’s Heroes.
Rooms will provide safe spaces for patients and families to gather outside of inpatient rooms, private spaces for consultations with team members, dedicated treatment areas for patients with compromised immune systems, and a quiet location for team members to focus on their emotional well-being.
“Many of the nation’s top hospitals have these rooms,” Celia said. “Hematology and oncology families are a tight-knit community. These rooms will allow everyone to be part of the same space.”
Named spaces include the Connor’s Heroes Family Room, Connor’s Heroes Consult Room, Connor’s Heroes Bone Marrow Transplant Play Room, Connor’s Heroes Respite Room and Jamie Hess Bone Marrow Transplant Lab named in memory of Jamie Hess.
“We knew we wanted permanent space in the new hospital,” said Celia. “We couldn’t be happier with our partnership with CHoR.”
Photo – Before the pandemic, Celia Tetlow Martin, executive director, Connor’s Heroes, and Valentin Speck enjoyed a monthly Connor’s Heroes art session at the Visual Arts Center. (Photo provided by Connor’s Heroes)