Collaboration: Teaching what we do…
Children’s Cancer Partners welcomes Savanna James to the Development Committee
Savanna grew up in Cowpens, South Carolina and is an honors graduate of Limestone University and the University of South Carolina, earning her masters in mass communication from the latter.
She has extensive experience in the public relations, marketing, and community relations fields with previous roles at Fox Sports, CBS Sports, The Johnson Group, US Eye, and The Miss America Organization. Savanna has been honored with various awards and recognitions, including the South Carolina Broadcasters Association Award, the Talk About Giving Award, the Jan Scalisi Media Awards, and being honored as the Walk Chari representing South Carolina at the national Susan G. Komen “More Than Pink” walk. She was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 23 and dedicates her free time to bringing awareness to the lack of resources and preventative screenings for young adults and children who are suspected of having or who have been diagnosed with cancer.
“I think Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas truly gets it – we are more than a diagnosis. There is life, so much life, outside of a cancer diagnosis and many people forget that. Not only do cancer survivors have to beat cancer, but they also have to fight to maintain financial stability, mental health, fertility, relationships, and careers, among many other things.
When you are able to work with an organization like Children’s Cancer Partners that truly takes a holistic approach to caring for its patients, it changes everything. They are able to truly give kids a fighting chance at life AND a chance to thrive, not just survive, during and after the diagnosis.”
Savanna recently returned to the Upstate from Charleston with her four rescue dog – Maui, Luna, Meeko, and Fozzie Bear. She currently serves as the Chief Marketing and Brand Strategy Manager at Spartanburg Community College and is an adjunct professor for various colleges across the state.
Lauren Marvin joins Children’s Cancer Partners Development Committee
Lauren was born in Providence, RI and was raised in Pomfret Center, CT. She attended Killingly High School, Bay Path Jr College and The Mary Brewer School of Insurance earning her SC and GA Life, Accident & Health, Property & Casualty and her series 6 and 63 Agent License. She is self-employed with Lauren Marvin Insurance, LLC DBA Kenneth Rhodes & Associates, Inc. Lauren has been a licensed insurance agent since 1989, and is passionate about providing the best possible solutions for her clients. She has worked in the insurance industry her entire adult career.
In 2020 she served on a team to fundraise for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) and was nominated to be a candidate in 2021 for the LLS Man and Woman of the year and was honored with the title of Woman of the Year for 2021. She got involved with LLS because she lost her Uncle to Leukemia. In September of 2020 she received news that no parent or grandparent ever want to hear. Her grandson, Jaxon, was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Fortunately Jaxon was able to have a bone marrow transplant and was in remission until January of 2023 when the AML came back with a vengeance. He was in the Children’s Cancer Partners program and she witnessed all the good this program did for her family. Jaxon passed away on February 26, 2023, just 10 days after his 12th birthday. He left behind 5 siblings. Her family is adjusting to the new normal and Lauren wants to give other families the gift that her family was given.
Lauren is involved in many Civic activities and involves herself in fundraising for several organizations. She is a member of the board for The Palmetto Business Association, Current President of the BNI Elite Networking Chapter and a launch director for BNI.
In her spare time, she enjoys camping with her husband and their pet, spending time with her family and grandchildren, as well as traveling.
Join Hundreds of Schools and Host a Kidz in Lids Day!
Hundreds of schools across North and South Carolina have hosted a Kidz in Lids day this year, raising money for Children’s Cancer Partners to support local children with cancer. We want to make sure your child’s school or school district is signed up to participate! It’s easy!
Put simply, Kidz in Lids Inclusion Program is just one way the community can give back to Children’s Cancer Partners; and it is an exclusive way for children in the Carolinas to help children of the Carolinas who are battling cancer. Local schools can sign up to host a Kidz in Lids day any day of the school year. It’s easy! All students have to do is bring $1 to school to wear a hat (and faculty can participate by bringing $5 to dress casually for the day). This money is collected and goes directly back to Children’s Cancer Partners to support children in the school or district’s local area.
“We would be honored for your child’s school to participate,” said Laura Allen, Executive Director of Children’s Cancer Partners. “We are so proud of the students of our Kidz in Lids schools for helping our families get to their treatments.”
Here you can see our Top 10 schools! We want to see your school added to the list!
“Spartanburg District 5 is proud to partner with Children’s Cancer Partners to host Kidz in Lids,” said Melissa Robinette, spokeswoman for District 5. “This inclusion program is something we are proud to support because it teaches our students inclusion, kindness, empathy, and, most importantly, allows students to give back to other students who are battling cancer and need the support of their peers.”
Here what our students have to say about Kidz in Lids.
Want to make sure your school participates? Make sure you get your school signed up! For more information or to sign you school up, please email Sharon Worthington at [email protected].
A special thanks from the Call family
Our little Corbin has been sick with Neuroblastoma. He has gone through two big surgeries and four cycles of chemo. We really appreciate everything your organization does to help so many! Hoping this t-shirt fundraiser helps you all touch someone else’s life. Corbin is doing much better right now and just received good news from scans a couple of weeks ago. We are very thankful for all the Lord has done for Corbin and are praising Him for it. We surely do see the evidence of His goodness just like the shirt says. We’re so thankful for all the wonderful people God has placed in our life throughout Corbin’s journey and we wanted to do a little something to help you guys out. Hoping to continue to support you all in the future. Thanks again!
The Call’s
Chris, Tiffiny, Carson, Camren, Caden and Corbin
Partner Feature: Contec, Inc.
For the last 4 years, Contec, Inc. has partnered with Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas. Not only does Contec, Inc. support our various fundraising events, they are a major donor to our Single Moms Program. Our Single Moms Program designates money towards single moms who must care for their child with cancer and their siblings. When a child is diagnosed with cancer, the entire family, no matter the structure, is impacted. Majority of families with dual incomes become a single income family. Imagine being a single mother with only one income prior to your child’s diagnosis. Now imagine finding childcare for their sibling and paying for these expenses. This is where Children’s Cancer Partners and the Single Moms Programs comes into action. Thanks to partners such as Contec, Inc., this pilot program is possible.
“Since our founding, we have been committed to doing the right thing, to have respect for others. Community is one of our key pillars for our Corporate Social Responsibilities programs,” states Jack McBride, CEO of Contec, Inc. “Making sure children have access to healthcare and supporting their families is important to us at Contec, so our partnership with Children’s Cancer Partners just makes sense. Their mission directly aligns with our values within our community. We couldn’t be more proud to support children in our community, especially those who are going through a difficult journey.”
We are grateful for Contec, Inc.’s continued partnership. Over 1,800 Carolina children battling cancer have been impacted by their generosity and value of community. We look forward to many more years of partnership with this passionate and caring company.
Volunteer Feature: Kathryn Mitchell
As a teacher, caring for others runs in Kathryn’s blood and volunteering is second nature. For the last six years, Kathryn has volunteered at many Children’s Cancer Partners events. From Burger Cook-Off to traveling to Durham for our Holiday Spectacular, there’s not an event that Kathryn has not donated her time to. Kathryn heads up the craft tables at the Spartanburg and Durham Holiday Spectaculars and took the lead as a “volunteer coordinator” at the 2023 Cribbs Kitchen Burger Cook-Off.
The role as a coordinator took hours prior to the event to plan and organize volunteers. She took charge of our volunteer room by developing a check-in process and orientation to make our volunteers feel more prepared for their various roles. Because of Kathryn, the volunteer process has become much simpler and better for all.
“Kathryn is one of the most efficient and organized people I have ever known. When we first spoke to her about heading up the volunteer room for Burger Cook-Off, she immediately had ideas on how to make the volunteers feel welcome and ready to take on their volunteer position for the day,” states Kim Melick, Director of Operations. “She offered her phone number to all of the volunteers in the event they ran into situations that needed immediate needs. We are so fortunate to have such a caring and responsible volunteer leader that truly loves Children’s Cancer Partners and our mission.”
We’re so grateful for Kathryn and her love to give back.
St. James Plantation Tennis Association hosts annual Slammin’ & Jammin’ tennis event
Members of the St. James Plantation in Southport, North Carolina raised over $21,000 for Carolina children battling cancer. All thanks to the St. James Plantation Tennis Association and their Slammin’ and Jammin’ tennis event, many Carolina children will receive the life saving treatment they need. You can read the entire story here:
https://stateportpilot.com/community_focus/article_a3f43016-d3d1-11ed-b785-4b54393c8718.html
Note: You may be required to have a subscription with The State Port Pilot in order to read the story.
Overcoming cancer together: How a little girl’s fight with leukemia is helping others
BY PATRICK THOMAS WAKE FOREST
PUBLISHED 7:19 PM ET APR. 25, 2023
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE.
WAKE FOREST, N.C. — One little girl’s triumph over cancer is leading the way for an organization to do more good for others.
What You Need To Know
Edith Storage was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in October 2020.
The 7-year-old ended her last chemotherapy treatment in December 2022.
The Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolina provided monetary aid to the Storages.
Steve Logue, a family friend, approached the family about raising money for the charity of their choice.
Edith Storage, 7, received a diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in October 2020.
The Storage family has navigated a lot of physical and emotional challenges. They had no clue their little girl’s leukemia diagnosis could eventually help other families in two states.
Along the way, a nonprofit was able to provide the family with some financial help.
Since the final bell was rung to end Edith Storage’s cancer treatment, her story indirectly provides money to other families facing a similar journey.
Before the opportunity to give back, there was the harsh reality of being a parent to a child with a diagnosis of leukemia for her mom, Shanna Storage.
“(It was) definitely tough. Nothing that you can imagine,” Storage said.
Storage said for the first nine months, there were weekly and sometimes biweekly chemotherapy treatments at UNC Children’s Hospital in Chapel Hill. The difficulty was not only scheduling Edith Storage ’s appointments and driving her to see the doctor. Shanna Storage and Michael Storage, Edith’s father, have two other children: a younger son, Wyatt, and an older daughter, Avery.
“You have to again stay positive, you are not only a mother with one child going through something huge. You are a mother to two others,” Shanna Storage said.“
During the day-to-day grind, a social worker at UNC Children’s Hospital contacted an organization called Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas. The social worker referred the Storage family for financial assistance.
“We just try to alleviate that burden with assistance as best we can,” said Blake Stafford-Gomez, the family programs manager for CCP. “I think when a child is diagnosed with cancer a family is mainly thinking about ‘how am I going to pay my household bills?’”
The 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity offers support throughout the treatment process and often continues aiding families until a child reaches the age of 21.
The organization raises money across North and South Carolina.
“It’s the best feeling. There’s a reason why I have been here seven years,” Stafford-Gomez said.
Areas of primary financial assistance can include paying for gas necessary for transportation, overnight stays and meals.
Stafford-Gomez said part of the organization’s mission is also calling families to let them know the group is by their side every step of the way.
“You have no idea just you calling us once a month to check in, it just meant so much because it was someone outside of our family. Someone outside of what we were going through, and her calling just made it so much better,” Shanna Storage said.
Sometimes employees of CCP take diapers, wipes and other household needs at hospitals for the next appointment.
The Storage family said CCP primarily paid for parking, gas and food.
“Those costs start adding up, and it was really helpful to have CCP there for us,” Shanna Storage said.
Steve Logue is a family friend who works at Surety Systems.
Surety Systems is a consulting firm based in Raleigh. Logue said after the good news broke about Edith Storage’s fight with leukemia coming to an end, he had an idea.
“That’s when I approached the family and asked them what organizations helped you because until you are in their shoes, it’s not much you really know much about,” Logue said.
Logue’s company made the call to match any donation up to $5,000 for any charity the family chose.
“We just decided to take it a little step further and bring a little bit of visibility to this,” Logue said.
Michael Storage said the answer was clear on which organization to pick.
“CCP has always been the one,” Storage said.
When the decision was made, a fundraising effort was launched on LinkedIn by Surety Systems to further aid CCP’s mission.
“It also means a lot when families decide to take that and then give it back,” Stafford-Gomez said.
Now that a child’s fight with leukemia has come full circle, the family looks forward to spending as much time together as possible, through the good and bad.
“I love it. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else besides being with my kids. It’s one of the best things ever,” Michael Storage said.
Partner Spotlight: HealthMarkets
Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas began partnering with HealthMarkets-Josh Crumley at the 2022 Docs Who Rock, where HealthMarkets was the Green Room Sponsor. Because of HealthMarkets’ sponsorship, we were able to support seven children and their families travel, stay, and activities at the Holiday Spectaculars.
“I choose to support the Children’s Cancer Partners for a couple of different reasons. First, I have children myself and couldn’t imagine how difficult it is, as a parent, to see your child endure such a horrible illness like cancer. It can be taxing not only physically, but financially,” state Josh Crumley. “Second, the funds donated to Children’s Cancer Partners are used to support families that are local in our own communities in the Carolina’s. That means a lot!”
We look forward to a continued partnership with HealthMarkets! You can learn more about Josh Crumley here.
Collaboration: Teaching what we do…
Teaching what we do is the goal in collaborating with the University of North Carolina Graduate School of Social Work. The School has chosen Children’s Cancer Partners (CCP) as an internship site, assigning one of its Master of Social Work (MSW) candidates for fieldwork experience alongside their classroom studies. Students are supervised while at CCP by one of our MSW Family Advocates. They provide a variety of family outreach and support assistance while experiencing CCP’s unique mission. “Patient support is a rewarding application of social work skills,” noted CCP Director of Family Programs, Shannon Brown, MSW, LICSW, “and we offer one of the most comprehensive fieldwork experiences, encompassing hospital, community and family experience.” As CCP’s largest referral source, the UNC Children’s Hospital already was an admired partner; having the University’s nationally ranked School of Social Work as a partner makes this a very distinctive collaboration.
Maddy Van Husen is a MSW candidate with the UNC Graduate School of Social Work, who is gaining field experience at Children’s Cancer Partners. Maddy is originally from Syracuse, New York. She attended Boston College where she received her undergraduate degree in International Studies while focusing on Global Health and Arabic. Maddy is currently a dual degree student at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill School of Social Work and Gillings School of Global Public Health. She’s interested in working with children and families experiencing trauma due to conflict and natural disasters. Her favorite thing about CCP so far has been getting to know the families, especially when parents talk about how special their kids are! In her free time, Maddy loves backpacking, drawing, and reading.
View our 2023 Outlook Report for more collaborations – click HERE!!