Rock concert raising money for Upstate children with cancer
Changing Lives With Children’s Cancer Partners: An Interview With Nene Gunn
Forest Companion Magazine
By Jessica Ayala
April 2020
Tell us about Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas? How long has it been active and what is
the mission?
Cancer is the #1 disease killer of children in the Carolinas, attacking over 600 more children every year. One in five will not survive, but the children of rural or poor families are three times more likely to be misdiagnosed, under-treated and die. There are very few places that treat children – just six in NC, just three in SC … none have all the treatments and many children must go to New York, Houston, or beyond for specialized care. An extraordinary organization helping children battling cancer all across North and South Carolina, CCP was started back in 2001 as a local service project in Spartanburg, SC, and helped 100 families across its first 14 years. Then it was “discovered” by a distant philanthropic couple who challenged the organization to do more with a major, multi-year gift. Since then, in just 3½ years, it has grown from one county to 146 (entire Carolinas) and from 20 children to nearly 1,000 today, providing families with support for treatment, transportation, lodging, meals, and essential home-care. If financial burdens overwhelm families, CCP helps avoid evictions, repossessions, insurance cancellations. If the battle is lost, CCP helps with funeral expenses and grief counseling – as it did 50 times in 2019.
When did you join the board of this organization and what drew you to the cause?
I joined the Board of Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas in 2018 after being contacted by Laura Allen. Laura and I were friends in Nashville, TN, for many years. We were both very involved in many community organizations together, especially the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt where we both worked in the Development office. Laura moved to Spartanburg, SC, and is the Executive Director of Carolina Cancer Partners of the Carolinas. Her enthusiasm for the organization, it’s mission and focus are contagious. She has an overwhelming making a difference desire to help the children in NC and SC who have been given a cancer diagnosis and their families. The organization and its outreach have grown tremendously and helped so many. This board was a natural fit for me. I am so proud to be part of their mission.
Who does the organization serve and how do they give back to them?
Children ages birth to through age 18 are referred to CCP by pediatric oncology treatment centers at the time they are received every month – 48 in December alone. CCP responds immediately, arranging within 24 hours an in-person meeting with each family, providing emotional, logistical, and financial support so they know they are not alone on their terrifying journey. The support is comprehensive – whatever is necessary to ensure timely and complete access to care for the child, and it is continuous throughout the journey to age 21 since many children experience debilitating late-effects even after becoming cancer-free. CCP holds peer-support events throughout the year, connecting families to overcome their isolation, including a three-day residential Camp Victory each spring for the whole family and giant Christmas parties in Raleigh and Spartanburg.
Continue reading “Changing Lives With Children’s Cancer Partners: An Interview With Nene Gunn”
Coronavirus presents new challenges for pediatric cancer patients
Pediatric Cancer patients face additional hardships during COVID-19. (Source: Children’s Cancer Partners)
SOUTHEASTERN NORTH CAROLINA (WECT) – For children battling pediatric cancer and for their family, the novel coronavirus presents a special set of problems.
Due to the immune suppression caused by many cancer treatments, children with cancer are considered a high-risk group when it comes to the virus.
However, there are other issues someone not facing the disease might not consider, said Laura Allen with Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas (CCP).
Most pediatric oncology treatment is done in large cities, so patients living in southeastern North Carolina have to travel to other parts of the state for care.
“They are taking long-distance travel to get to their treatment, so we make sure that their transportation, food and lodging is taken care of,” Allen said
From putting gas in the car to helping book an extended stay in a hotel, CCP is used to helping with the challenges that come with a pediatric cancer diagnosis, but Allen said COVID-19 has caused families to run into road block after road block.
From canceled flights to changes in hospital visitation policies, the virus is making things difficult.
“Right now unfortunately the Ronald McDonald houses are not accepting new patients, so we are working with those children to make sure that they have hotel accommodations in those cities,” Allen said.
Flights have been canceled, as have many follow-up appointments with specialists.
“We’ve had notes from parents and phone calls from parents just very distressed that they can’t get their child to their appointment, because that is the sense of when you’re in survivorship and you go once every six months or every three months, you were getting that reinforcement as a parent that your child is doing OK, or you know that there’s something not right there’s cell count is down or something,” she said.
Layoffs in many sectors of the economy have also made things difficult for families already facing the monetary hardship a cancer diagnosis brings.
According to CCP data, one in three families with a child battling cancer are unable to meet their basic needs because of that diagnosis.
“We are seeing those kinds of things where here our families who were already vulnerable because a two income family became one, maybe right now that one income may be compromised. It may be hours that have been cut back,” she said.
That’s where organizations like CCP come in.
Allen said she and her coworkers, while now working remotely from home, serve 1005 children and families who have been referred by hospitals to the organization.
“We are reaching out … making sure that their needs are being met, understanding with their challenges are, helping them with scheduling,” she said.
CCP efforts to raise money to support their services have also been stymied by the virus.
The annual “Kidz in Lids” campaign where children bring in a dollar donation in exchange for wearing a hat has been put on hold due to school closures, though Allen said she hopes there will be a way for them to still participate.
Of donations, CCP says 85 percent of every dollar is used for the financial support of families or providing services.
For more information, or if you are a family facing pediatric cancer, CCP has details on their website.
Copyright 2020 WECT. All rights reserved.
Emily Featherston is a journalist with background in community reporting. She joined WECT in August 2018, and is a multimedia reporter focused on Wilmington’s local government.
Schools raise funds for cancer research to help kids like Reece
SUMMERVILLE—Rachel Kolar has a love/hate relationship with the date of March 9. On one hand, she loves it because it is her son, Reece’s, birthday, and she will never forget welcoming him into the world on that day back in 2012. But, on the other hand, it was the date in 2018 that she found out he had cancer.
It was brain cancer — medulloblastoma to be exact. At just 6 years old, Reece faced brain surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. He endured 56 weeks of treatments, including 30 radiation treatments and 37 weeks of chemotherapy.
The brain surgery left him mute for three weeks and unable to walk for six. Gradually, Reece, who is now 8 and a second-grader at Summerville Catholic School, regained strength and has been declared NED (no evidence of disease).
Kolar believes wholeheartedly in the power of prayer.
“He’s thriving, riding a bike and running. This is the best case scenario. God has provided,” she said.
And through it all, her Catholic faith never left her. But, she said that it was the “huge support system” that Summerville Catholic provided for her family that was truly powerful.
“From the moment Reece was diagnosed as a kindergartener there, the community support was amazing. They have done so much for us over the years,” Kolar explained.
Zara Rushin, the school’s administrative assistant, said they wanted to rally around the Kolars. Over the past two years, they have held a number of fundraisers to help the family, and also for pediatric cancer research in general.
“When you become a cancer mom, you want there to be more money for pediatric cancer research. There isn’t enough funding for cancer in children. You would think there would be, but there isn’t. They are being given drugs geared towards adults. As a mom, you want there to be better treatments offered for kids,” Kolar said.
Summerville Catholic has raised money in a variety of ways, including pajama days, and donations for wrist bands and T-shirts.
Rushin said the most recent fundraiser was called Hearts of Gold. A monetary donation was given for each heart that the students colored gold and they were displayed in the school.
“It changed the school when Reece was diagnosed,” Rushin said. “It has been an amazing journey and he has touched us all.”
And Summerville Catholic isn’t the only school involved. Throughout the diocese, schools participated in a program called Kidz in Lids, which raised over $6,000 for cancer research from 14 schools.
St. Martin de Porres School in Columbia adopted the program to benefit the Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas. On the last Friday of each month, which is designated as “spirit day,” students and staff wore their favorite hat and spirit day attire in exchange for a donation. Children donated $1 and the staff donated $3. In total, St. Martin de Porres raised $500 for the program.
The small school of about 45 students in pre-K through sixth grade considers generosity to be a key component of a Catholic education, said Delores Gilliard, principal.
“We want to adopt projects like this to show our students how important it is to give back,” she said.
Cameron Sullivan, a fifth-grader at St. Martin de Porres, agreed.
“We want to support children with cancer because we want them to get to go to camp and have some fun. Giving improves the lives of others,” she said.
“It’s important to give to others. Giving shows Christ’s love to the world,” said Lilly Ezike, a sixth-grader.
Laura Allen, executive director for Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas, explained that the funds raised through Kidz in Lids are used exclusively to ensure local children in the Carolinas get treatment.
“We also help with lodging, meals, home care needs … and we step in with financial emergencies, like evictions, insurance or utility cancellations, repossessions and funeral costs, should tragedy occur,” Allen said, adding that she appreciates everything the Catholic community has done to help raise awareness and funds.
“It is so exciting to see Catholic schoolchildren all across South Carolina giving back to their communities by helping schoolmates and neighbors battling cancer, the No. 1 disease killer of children,” she said.
Kidz in Lids eases the financial burden of pediatric cancer treatment
UPSTATE PARENT UPSTATEPARENT.COM pg 12 
Paige Melick hasn’t let her age hold her back in making a difference for families in need.
Paige, age 12, is in sixth grade at Campobello-Gramling School in Campobello. She founded a fundraising program, Kidz in Lids, that directly benefits families of children who have cancer, and she is advocating to expand it as much
as possible.
Kim Melick, Paige’s mother, is the Operations Manager for Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas, a nonprofit organization that serves families who have a child with cancer. The organization helps ease the financial burdens that can accompany travel to the limited number of places that offer pediatric cancer care. Currently, the organization is helping 600 children.
“Children’s Cancer Partners helps families that have a child with cancer in North Carolina and South Carolina,” Kim Melick said. “We help with food, lodging and transportation around the child’s treatment. We started in Spartanburg County and have grown to all of South Carolina and North Carolina in three years. Paige was in fourth grade when I started and she’s been around in the summer and at events.”
Her mother’s work hit home when Paige lost a friend to cancer. Paige said the loss inspired her to try to find a way to help. She spoke with CCP’s Executive Director Laura Allen – without her mother’s help – and then approached her school principal, Jeremy Darby. Out of those meetings, Kidz in Lids was born. The fundraiser gives participants
a little break from the school dress code and raises money for CCP so more families can be served.
“A kid has to bring in $1 to wear a hat and a teacher has to bring in $5 to wear jeans,” Paige said. The first day the program was held at Paige’s school, it raised $1,300 for CCP. Paige then met with the district superintendent,
who brought all district schools on board. Next, she spoke at a meeting of all Spartanburg County school superintendents.
“All of Spartanburg schools are doing it now,” Paige said. “I want all schools in North Carolina and South Carolina to do it.”
Kim Melick said no family thinks they will be touched by pediatric cancer until it happens. Costs for gas, air travel to distant cancer centers, food, hotels and more can take a heavy toll on families. “Everything can change overnight,” she said.
For Paige, each dollar raised is a tribute. “This is a heartfelt thing,” Kim Melick said. “She was inspired by a friend.”
Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas Awarded Grant for Special Needs
Greenville, S.C. – Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas (CCP) was awarded a grant of $60,000 by Greenville Women Giving to create a Greenville County Childhood Cancer Special Needs Fund. The fund will help local families with the extraordinary costs that arise during a childhood cancer battle.
The Greenville County Childhood Cancer Special Needs Fund will enable CCP to ensure the Greenville families they serve are able to access all the care they need during their childhood cancer battle. Often, children are referred to distant pediatric oncology centers for specialized treatments when Carolina centers run out of options. CCP assists families with treatment travel, lodging and meals, and with special homecare needs throughout time of treatment. Radiation and chemotherapy affect young cancer patients and their development; CCP stays with families even after cancer treatment is over until the child is 21 and assists when additional travel is needed for surgeries, prosthetic replacements, organ transplants, and other challenging after-effects of cancer. The crushing costs and burdens of childhood cancer can be overwhelming to families. CCP is able to assist with family emergencies that could otherwise result in evictions, repossessions, or foreclosures.
“Children’s Cancer Partners is an excellent organization serving children battling the unimaginable and we could not be more proud to join in that fight,” stated Beverly Ward, Chair of Greenville Women Giving’s Grants Review Committee.
“Greenville Women Giving’s grant will ensure that our Greenville families have a safety net as they face childhood cancer,” said Laura Allen, Executive Director of CCP. “Our close and continuous relationships with our families throughout their cancer journey allow us to anticipate potential crises, and this ‘Special Needs Fund’ will give us the ability to intervene and avert these crises.”
Currently, there are 700 children enrolled with CCP across the entire Carolinas, with 28 children in Greenville County. CCP steps in at the time of diagnosis to provide financial support, family assistance with coordinating care, emotional support and connections to other families experiencing childhood cancer.
About Children’s Cancer Partners
The mission of Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas is to provide comprehensive support and loving compassion to families whose children are battling cancer to improve their overall quality of life. The organization serves children and families throughout SC and NC. www.childrenscancerpartners.org 864-582-0673
About Greenville Women Giving:
GWG is a philanthropic organization serving Greenville County, SC, and was founded on the idea that women, when informed about philanthropy and the needs in their community, can collectively make a real difference. GWG’s Mission is to work strategically and collectively to identify and fund worthy organizations in the areas of arts, education, environment, health, and human services. Founded in 2006, GWG has donated $6 million in total grant funding over the past 13 years. For more information, visit www.greenvillewomengiving.org
Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas Awarded Grant for Transportation Van
Spartanburg, S.C. – Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas (CCP) was awarded $27,948 by Women Giving for Spartanburg to purchase a van for their ongoing program of “Delivering Hope and Love.”
The van will be used to transport children with cancer and their caregivers to appointments or CCP events including their monthly family nights, summer program, Camp Victory, and annual Christmas Spectacular. The van will also be used for volunteer and staff visits to families, and to transport personal health and homecare products obtained from the United Way Gift-in-Kind Center that ease the financial challenges of childhood cancer families.
“Children’s Cancer Partners’ provide an invaluable service to families fighting the #1 disease killer of children here in the Carolinas,” stated Women Giving for Spartanburg Chair Dr. Amy Curtis, “and we are proud to assist them as they get children to lifesaving treatments.”
“The funds for our new van provided by Women Giving for Spartanburg will allow us to expand our program to be even more personalized to each families’ needs by providing them with transportation to our events and to their appointments, as well as supplying families with essential personal hygiene and home products. We’re grateful for Women Giving for Spartanburg’s support,” said Laura Allen, Executive Director of CCP.
There are only three centers for pediatric cancer in South Carolina, and many children must travel to receive treatment. The cost of travel can be overwhelming to families facing childhood cancer. CCP steps in to assist families with transportation, food and lodging associated with treatment. Currently, there are 700 children enrolled with CCP, and new referrals come at the rate of 25-35 per month. Overall, there are over 600 combined new diagnoses in South and North Carolina each year.
About Children’s Cancer Partners
The mission of Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas is to provide comprehensive support and loving compassion to families whose children are battling cancer to improve their overall quality of life. The organization serves children and families throughout SC and NC. www.childrenscancerpartners.org 864-582-0673
###
‘Belly Dancer,’ ‘Almost There’ burgers popular concepts at Cribbs Burger Cook-Off
Steamin’ Cow Patties’ burger “The Belly Dancer” — bacon-infused beef with roasted pork belly, wasabi aioli and Asian slaw —was the judges’ favorite at the sixth annual Cribbs Kitchen Burger Cook-Off held Saturday in downtown Spartanburg.
The annual event serves as a fundraiser for Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas. More than $85,000 was raised at this year’s event, surpassing the $56,000 raised in 2018. The funds are used to provide support for local children and their families who are struggling with cancer.
Aaron Story accepted the winning trophy on behalf of his team.
“It’s an incredible event put on by Cribbs,” Story said. “Winning the judges’ award has always been a dream of our team. This event is the epitome of community service, since it’s a bunch of people coming together to have a giant cookout for kids. We are glad to carry the torch and glad to have a good time. We sold 450 burgers.”
Steamin’ Cow Patties wasn’t the only team recognized for a great-tasting burger. The team from Ike’s Korner Grille won The People’s Choice award for its “Almost There” burger, with mustard, chili, onions and coleslaw. They sold out of burgers during the event.
“What makes a good burger is the consistency of the meat,” said Angela Rodgers with Ike’s Korner Grill. “I had several people not even want the bun. We will be back next year. It was so much fun.”
The event was held at the corner of West Main and Daniel Morgan Avenue. Ethan Greer of Spartanburg said it was his first time attending the event and said he’d be back again. His first burger was from Motte and Sons Bootlegging Co., a burger with fried onions and American cheese.
“We finally got some good weather, and it’s really cool to see everyone in the city come out together for a good cause,” Greer said.
Basil’s B52 featured “The Bomb” burger, with bacon, garlic butter, homemade beer cheese and onions. The team sold about 100 burgers an hour.
“Oh, my gosh,” Basil’s B52 owner Lana Pearson said. “We were so overwhelmed and weren’t expecting to serve that many burgers. We had a lot of repeat customers. It was our first year doing this and hope to be back again next year.”
The team from Nu-Way Restaurant and Lounge sold 450 burgers during the event. Their “Smokey and The Bandit” burger had horseradish sauce and smoked Gouda cheese. Nu-Way team member Michael Campbell said he believes what makes a good burger is the juiciness.
“It’s one of the largest turnouts for the event that I have seen,” Campbell said.
‘They can just be kids today’: Private air show held for children battling cancer
COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) – Children battling cancer and their families were treated to their very own private air show on Saturday.
The air show happened off of Airport Boulevard in West Columbia and it included unique aircraft, military vehicles and a chance to watch a sky dive.
All of this put on with help from Columbia’s Celebrate Freedom Foundation, the Childhood Cancer Optimist Club of SC and Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas. Organizers say they hope this helps children escape if only for a few minutes from their battle.
“Step away from their cancer and they can not have to deal with the poking and the prodding and doctor’s appointments and doctor’s appointments. They can just be kids today,” said Laura Allen, executive director of Children’s Caner Partners of the Carolinas.
“To take them out of the needles and everything else that they’re used to. Give them an opportunity to see, see something different and maybe enlighten their lives” said John Lenti, CEO and Chair of the Celebrate Freedom Foundation.
Celebrate Freedom Foundation organizers say they hope to continue events like this in the future for other children and their families who are battling adversity.
Doctors step out of the emergency room and on to stage for ‘Docs Who Rock’ benefit
Spartanburg Herald Journal
By Chris Lavender
Staff Writer
Posted Mar 9, 2019 at 8:53 PM Updated Mar 9, 2019 at 8:53 PM
Read Full Article
Dr. Octavia Amaechi took center stage Saturday night, showing off her vocal skills at the Docs Who Rock fundraiser held at Wofford College to benefit the Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas.
Amaechi was among nine local doctors who participated. Each doctor was paired with a band to perform a variety of songs. Amaechi joined the Rock and Roll Reunion to kick off the night before a crowd of nearly 2,000 people. When she is not singing hits by Tina Turner or The Blues Brothers, Amaechi is a hospitalist with Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System.
Growing up in church, Amaechi started singing solos in the choir at age 9. She’s always looking to share her love for singing with others.
“As long as I can remember, I have enjoyed using my gifts and talents,” Amaechi said in a brief interview before the show started. “To be part of this event is a real blessing. It’s something to really get excited about. When children hurt, it makes me hurt, because we were all children once and children are something we can get behind.”
The event was presented by Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System and hosted by the Spartanburg County Medical Society Alliance with the support of the Spartanburg County Medical Society. Each band performed several hits at the Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium.
For the opening act, all of the doctors joined each other on stage and performed Queen’s hit “We Will Rock You.” That song set the tone for the rest of the evening, building the excitement.
PHOTOS: Docs Who Rock at the Richardson Indoor Stadium
Dr. Joseph Boscia performed lead vocals and guitar in his band Missing Monday. He’s a pulmonologist at Spartanburg Medical Center. Throughout the year, Boscia’s band does special performances for families and their children facing health issues.
“The kids and families always appreciate it so much when you meet with them,” he said. “I am a rock star who just happens to be a doctor. It’s so thrilling to be up on stage.”
Missing Monday wowed the crowd with hits from Billy Joel, Blondie and Tom Petty.
Rock concert raising money for Upstate children with cancer
WSPA STAFF
Posted: Mar 08, 2019 10:29 AM EST
Updated: Mar 08, 2019 10:29 AM EST
Spartanburg, SC (WSPA-TV) – It’s a rock concert to benefit children with cancer and their families.
Docs that Rock happens at the Jerry Richardson indoor stadium at Wofford College March 9 to benefit Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas.
Executive Director Laura Allen said 9 doctors will trade in their medical tools for musical instruments to perform as a part of 7 rock bands.
Allen said the event helps local children, more than 600 served by Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas.
She said some families can’t get life saving treatment close by in Spartanburg County but have to travel long distances in some cases, which can disrupt family life. Allen said they help them afford what they need to be able to live life.
The event is presented by Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System and hosted by the Spartanburg County Medical Society Alliance.
Doors open at 6 and concert starts at 7 and find tickets at Childrenscancerpartners.org