GoUpstate.com
By staff reports Dec 16, 2016 at 8:01 PM

(http://www.goupstate.com/news/20161216/united-way-presents-more-than-2m-to-61-agencies)

United Way of the Piedmont recently presented more than $2 million in grants to 61 agencies that manage 95 programs in the areas of education, financial stability and health.

The organization held its annual Community Investment Process Awards reception Wednesday to recognize the agencies and present the grants.

Funding included $482,650 for 25 programs dealing with education; $562,842 for 25 programs focusing on financial stability; and $965,008 for 45 programs targeting health.

Program excellence awards also were presented to agencies with the highest ranking programs in each area.

Spartanburg County recipients included the Middle Tyger Community Center, Project Hope, the Children’s Advocacy Center and Birth Matters.

Union County recipients included the Children’s Advocacy Center and the Children’s Security Blanket.

In Cherokee County, all programs are under a multiyear investment cycle, so no awards for programs were given this year.

“We are so thrilled to support and celebrate these fantastic programs,” said Paige Stephenson, CEO of United Way of the Piedmont, in a statement. “Through collaboration, United Way of the Piedmont is investing in programs and initiatives that are creating real impact in our communities.”

GoUpstate.com
By Allison M. Roberts Staff Writer Dec 9, 2016 at 8:00 AM

(http://www.goupstate.com/news/20161208/sc-families-celebrate-work-of-childrens-security-blanket)

Click here to see Children’s Security Blanket Christmas Party Photos

Families and young cancer patients from across the state celebrated together Thursday night at the annual Children’s Security Blanket Christmas party in Spartanburg.

More than 200 people packed The Hangar to enjoy dinner, Christmas carols and fellowship with others who are served by the organization. About 100 people attended last year’s dinner, said Laura Allen, the nonprofit’s executive director. But this year, the organization was able to expand its coverage area and do more for the children they help.

“Last year we were serving families in Spartanburg County only and now we’re serving the entire state of South Carolina and the western part of North Carolina,” Allen said. “A couple who loves Christmas wanted us to do more for our families this year. So this year we’re able to help our families who have a child in active treatment by paying their rent, mortgage, car payment, insurance and utility bill up to a certain amount. For the children in remission, we’re doing that as well to a lesser amount.”

Here are what some families had to say about their experience with the Children’s Security Blanket:

What has the Children’s Security Blanket meant for your family?

Children’s Security Blanket Christmas Party SC families celebrate work of Children’s Security Blanket >

Ashley Garner, Boiling Springs: They have been that helping hand. They assist when we have to travel to Charleston. They assist us with gas vouchers, food, lodging, bills — anything that is a burden to us. They take that burden away so we can concentrate on treatment for our child. We call it love in a blanket. They’re able to assist us and make that transition a little easier and less stressful on us.

Tron Foster, Boiling Springs: It’s like a big happy family inside another family just keeping us warm and safe.

Teresa Pittman, Blacksburg: They’ve been a true blessing to our family. They stepped in and helped us with meals, transportation, bills and even helped with child care when we were going through the worst stages of Ciarra’s illness. They’ve been a true blessing to us.

Brenda Muntean, Greer: It’s very humbling because as a parent you never think it’s going to happen to you. In a second, your life can change in an instant and it has for us. All I can say to other families is please donate to such a wonderful organization because they do so much for the children and the families and they make a difference for all of us.

Bella Muntean, Greer: It means so much. They’ve absolutely helped us with anything we’ve ever needed, they’ve always been here to support us and their events bring everybody together and it’s such a fun experience. It’s really amazing. It’s such a blessing to know these people.

How has the Children’s Security Blanket made a difference in your life?

Garner: It’s a blessing. That love you have and that relief of knowing that if I’m in the hospital I won’t lose everything I have. They’re that person you can go to for prayer, support, talking — just everything with them.

Pittman: They’ve shown me there is light and people there who really care about these people who are going through this. Not only did they stand by us through her illness, but they stood by us after her passing.

Brenda Muntean: They have done amazing things for us. They actually sent us to New York for a second opinion to check on a tumor with other doctors at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. We are so grateful we had that opportunity. If it wasn’t for them, we would not have been able to go. It was very humbling they provided all of that and the sacrifices they made.

What does this party mean for you and your family?

Garner: It’s exciting and we’re thankful because it’s where you can bring your kids and they’re around other kids who are going through the same thing and they can relate. All of us come together as a whole and thanking God and being able to celebrate and have a good time with one another.

Foster: It’s fun and the food is good. We have lots of fun doing crafts. It’s great to come and communicate and see what the other kids are going through and compare and help each other through battles.

Bella Muntean: It’s so nice to have someone else to relate to. Honestly, it’s really fun to connect with others and we all enjoy a nice meal together and it’s all because of an amazing person. It’s such a blessing.

Tron Foster, a 15-year-old from Boiling Springs, got the experience of a lifetime Thursday and Friday at Camp Victory. The camp, sponsored by The Children’s Security Blanket, gave Tron two days of camp since he’s unable to attend in a couple of weeks.

GoUpstate.com
By Zach Fox Staff Writer Nov 22, 2016 at 7:43 AM

(http://www.goupstate.com/news/20161121/group-gets-multimillion-dollar-gift-to-help-children-with-cancer)

Gerry and Debora DiStefano still vividly remember walking into a Christmas-decorated New York apartment for one of the most stressful weeks of their lives.

The DiStefanos’ daughter, Rachel, had to be taken to New York last winter for a cancer operation. Rachel, 15, had been diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. During her fight with cancer, she underwent eight surgeries, 49 total weeks of treatments and a leg amputation.

The DiStefanos ability to go to New York for Rachel’s treatment was funded by the Children’s Security Blanket, a Spartanburg-based nonprofit that helps families handle the financial hardships caused by childhood cancer.

It was one of the last trips Rachel took before losing her fight with the dreaded disease.

“I miss her every day, but I know where she is now,” Gerry said.

The owner of that New York apartment is now helping other families handle their children’s battles with cancer.

The donor, who wished to remain anonymous, committed $1 million a year for multiple years to the organization, which helps families with everything from travel costs to food and care.

“It’s a financial burden, it really is, a child with cancer like that. They have no cures in sight for this, so for the organization to stand behind us like they did, it was such a blessing,” Gerry said.

Laura Allen, executive director of the Children’s Security Blanket, said the organization has grown by leaps and bounds recently.

In October, the nonprofit’s services expanded into Western North Carolina, where it is already helping eight families as they face the cancer fight.

“What it means for this organization is that we can serve hundreds more children and continue to expand our footprint into other areas,” she said. “For the first 15 years, we were in Spartanburg County. We’ve expanded into the entire state.”

The donation came after Allen put a request on Facebook to find a place for the DiStefanos to stay while they were in New York. A friend of a friend answered it, and the DiStefanos were there not much later.

Allen visited the apartment owner to thank him in person.

“He asked us, what would we do if he gave us a million dollars,” Allen said. “He liked our proposal, and here we are now.”

Lee Blackwell’s daughter, Hope, recently graduated from North Greenville University.

Hope was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia, a type of bone marrow cancer, in 1993. She was the third child ever served by the Children’s Security Blanket. Over a two-year period, Hope spent 190 days in a hospital.

“The Security Blanket was always there for us,” Blackwell said. “They’ve always been there. I can remember, just the little things.”

Now, Hope is a college graduate ready to become a teacher, Allen said. She said Hope’s story is proof that when families are able to fight the effects of cancer, they can win.

Debora DiStefano said the organization plays a major role for the families it works with, often when they most struggle.

Gerry said seeing the organization that helped his late daughter so much get such support was a blessing.

“It’s nice to know there are still benefactors out there that really care,” he said. “For someone that has a child that is sick, that is gravely ill, that’s one thing. For someone else to see that and do something about it, it’s a blessing to the organization and it was a blessing to us.”

GoUpstate.com
By staff reports Nov 15, 2016 at 5:36 PM

http://www.goupstate.com/news/20161115/childrens-security-blanket-gets-100k-for-children-fighting-cancer

Spartanburg-based Children’s Security Blanket announced Tuesday that anonymous donors have given the nonprofit $100,000 to brighten the Christmas season for children battling cancer.

The donors specifically requested the organization use the money to make the holiday season better for sick children and their families.

“Holidays can be stressful under the best of circumstances,” Laura Allen, executive director of the nonprofit, said in a statement. “Dealing with a child who has cancer can put an enormous strain on families, making the emotional and financial demands of holiday time especially hard. This amazing gift will make it possible for us to alleviate financial pressure for these families so they can focus on enjoying a memorable Christmas with their precious children.”

The money will be used to pay for rent, utility, car and insurance payments for families during December, along with a holiday celebration for children served by the nonprofit. Children undergoing cancer treatment and their siblings will be treated to carriage rides, presents and a festive dinner at the event, which will be 6 p.m. on Dec. 8 at The Hangar at First Baptist Church in Spartanburg.

The money will be used to pay for rent, utility, car and insurance payments for families during December, along with a holiday celebration for children served by the nonprofit.

Children undergoing cancer treatment and their siblings will be treated to carriage rides, presents and a festive dinner at the event, which will be 6 p.m. on Dec. 8 at The Hangar at First Baptist Church in Spartanburg.

Click to read our August Newsletter.

Camp Victory 2016: Success!

This year’s Camp Victory was our biggest and best yet! 21 superheroes and their siblings came out to Optimist Acres for fishing, arts and crafts, fire safety lessons, a wood crafting activity, and pony rides…just to name a few of the fun activities.

Special thanks to our volunteers from Greer Middle College, Charter High School Fishing Team and First Baptist Church, Dr. Doug and Nancy Rayner, Clarka Wickliffe, the Pauline Fire Department, the Spartanburg Breakfast Optimist Club, ACME Exterminating, Hope Remains Youth Ranch, Office Depot and Home Depot for helping us with making these activities happen!

Thank you to Abstract Design for designing our awesome t-shirts, and Larry’s Trophies for creating our trophies, Trinity United Methodist Church for providing transportation to and from Optimist Acres, and Upstate Printing & Publishing for printing programs for our special Friday celebration,

Thank you to Palmetto Palate for providing nutritious meals during camp days, and Tommy Lancaster for bringing barbecue on Friday night.

Last but certainly not least, thank you to Steve and Vickie Holt, the creative masterminds behind Camp Victory! They worked tirelessly for months getting everything together, and we sincerely appreciate all of the hard work they put into making this year’s camp the best ever!

Mark your calendars for next year! July 10, 11 and 12 at Optimist Acres. Next year’s Friday celebration will be at Cleveland Park on July 14. Stay tuned for more information!

Spaprtanburg Regional Health System
June 8, 2016
(https://www.spartanburgregional.com/news/2016/695000-in-grants-awarded-for-health-/)

$695,000 in Grants Awarded for Health

Spartanburg Regional Foundation Awards Annual Grants

An individual who experienced a stroke will now have access to a motor vehicle simulator to test their driving skills. A family whose child was diagnosed with cancer will receive financial support for transportation to treatment. Young girls in Spartanburg will learn about self-respect and healthy living.

The health of the community is enhanced by services like these due to recently awarded grants from the Spartanburg Regional Foundation.

Spartanburg Regional Foundation awarded $695,000 in grants to Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System and to community organizations committed to the health and wellness of Upstate residents. Spartanburg Regional Foundation, recognized 27 recipients at a ceremony held June 8 at the Piedmont Club in Spartanburg.

“We are proud to support nonprofits and healthcare system programs that make Spartanburg healthier,” said Kristy Caradori, executive director of the Spartanburg Regional Foundation. “We are grateful to our community for the opportunity to give back to improve health and wellness.”

2016 Spartanburg Regional Foundation grant recipients include:

• Boys and Girls Clubs of the Upstate
$16,000
This grant will provide funds for a healthy lifestyles program at the Mary H. Wright Elementary School Boys and Girls Club of the Upstate, located in Spartanburg. This program will aid up to 200 children in first through fifth grades.

• Charles Lea Center Foundation
$8,575
This grant will provide funds for four telehealth tool kits on the Charles Lea Center campus. Telehealth is a service in which patients can speak to a doctor via computer or phone if they cannot get to a doctor’s office. The Charles Lea Center provides services to help improve the quality of life of those with disabilities and special needs.

• Ellen Sagar Nursing Center
$53,234
This grant will provide funds for an outdoor courtyard for 113 residents. Ellen Sagar Nursing Center, located in Union, S.C., is a long-term healthcare center and provides physical, occupational and speech therapy.

• Girls on the Run of Spartanburg
$5,000
This grant will provide funds for two sites, allowing 20 girls from third to fifth grades to attend 20 lessons in preparation for a 5k race. Girls on the Run of Spartanburg teaches girls about self-respect and healthy living.

• Greater St. James Temple Holiness Church, Inc.
$7,000
This grant will provide funds for medical supplies, equipment and cabinetry for the church’s health room and outreach program. Greater St. James Temple is located in Inman.

• Greer Relief and Resources Agency
$7,000
This grant will provide funds for a homeless prevention program for disabled and/or elderly members of Greer, Taylors, Duncan, Lyman and Wellford. The program aids participants through individual case management, matching participants to resources and agencies for further help with financial support. Financial support can include utility bills, rent or mortgages.

• Healthy Smiles of Spartanburg
$14,475
This grant will provide funds to expand access to preventive and restorative dental health care via a mobile dental clinic. Children from ages four to 18 in Spartanburg County will be served.

• Medical Group of the Carolinas—Weight Loss Services
$3,000
This grant will fund a portable total-body composition analyzer to measure patients’ weight and instantly calculate body fat percentage and body water percentage, in addition to body mass index (BMI).

• Mental Health America of Spartanburg County
$6,000
This grant funds resource materials and other supplies to support first aid training for 300 individuals who work with behavioral health patients.

• Middle Tyger Community Center
$5,000
This grant will provide funds to expand the capacity of the clinic that provides patients with counseling and prescriptions.

• Pelham Medical Center—Education
$62,987
This grant will support the purchase of one SimMan Essential Manikin and accessories. The SimMan is a form of clinical training using an interactive human-like machine that simulates breathing, a beating heart and blood circulation.

• Piedmont Care
$15,000
This grant will provide funds for community education on HIV and AIDS prevention. Piedmont Care works throughout Spartanburg, Cherokee and Union counties to fight the spread of HIV and AIDS and provide care and education.

• SAFE Homes—Rape Crisis Coalition
$4,000
This grant will help fund a conference to educate professionals on interpersonal violence. SAFE Homes education empowers community members so they can provide help to a friend being abused, speak out about abuse or act as an engaged bystander.

• Spartanburg Medical Center—Transitional Unit
$150,000
This grant will support a new early admissions transitional unit that will decrease wait times for Emergency Center patients. The telemetry unit will improve the patient transport from the Emergency Center to their point of care. A telemetry unit is an area where machines are used to help monitor patients, such as changes in blood pressure or rhythm of the heart.

• Spartanburg Medical Center—Rehabilitation Services
$75,000
This grant will support the purchase of two driving simulators to help determine if patients who have suffered from injuries or illnesses such as strokes or concussions are ready to drive a motor vehicle.

• Spartanburg Medical Center—Trauma
$10,338
This grant will support the purchase of equipment for the Stay Active and Independent for Life fitness class to help older adults with balance.

• Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System—Medical Staff
$32,500
This grant will support a plan to combat burnout and promote wellness among physicians and clinical staff.

• Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System—Corporate Education
$55,384
This grant will support the purchase of an adult simulation manikin for the Simulation Lab.

• Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System—Safe Kids Spartanburg
$22,825
This grant funds an opportunity for 15 certified child passenger safety technicians to attend a class on proper child restraint evaluation and will provide child seats for families of children with special healthcare needs.

• St. Luke’s Free Medical Clinic
$31,560
This grant will provide funds for patients’ life-sustaining medications. St. Luke’s offers primary medical care, physician-ordered medications, pastoral support and patient education for uninsured residents of Spartanburg County.

• The Children’s Security Blanket
$2,500
This grant will support a feasibility study on expanding their services into Cherokee and Union Counties. The Children’s Security Blanket provides financial support to families with a child who is diagnosed with cancer.

• The Walker Foundation
$5,305
This grant will support the purchase of specialized equipment for special needs students to help healthcare professionals assess and monitor these students in a more efficient manner. The Walker Foundation supports programs at the South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind.

• TOTAL Ministries
$5,000
This grant will provide funds for patient medications. TOTAL Ministries is a Christian ministry that assists families in financial crisis. Assistance can come in the form of preventing loss of utilities, providing heat during the winter, providing food or covering medical costs.

• Transportation Service Bureau
$23,108
This grant will support a matching grant to fund the purchase of a replacement wheelchair-accessible bus. The Transportation Service Bureau helps individuals travel to health and human services, to jobs, the grocery store or the library.

• Union Medical Center—Emergency Department
$13,000
This grant will support the purchase of 10 televisions for exam rooms and the Emergency Department waiting room.

• Union Medical Center—Pharmacy
$54,623
This grant will support the purchase of one Acudose cabinet in the after-hours pharmacy area.

• Upstate Stand Down
$6,585
This grant will provide funds for prescriptions, glasses, hearing aids and other supplies to assist veterans. Upstate Stand Down assists homeless veterans, veterans at risk of homelessness or veterans in need.

About the Spartanburg Regional Foundation

Spartanburg Regional Foundation is a charitable organization whose primary mission is to benefit the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System through direct support and support of community programs and services that share Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System’s mission of providing quality health care to our community.

About Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System

Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System (SRHS) offers a full spectrum of services through three hospitals: Spartanburg Medical Center, Pelham Medical Center and Spartanburg Hospital for Restorative Care. SRHS provides unparalleled oncological care through the Gibbs Cancer Center & Research Institute. The multidisciplinary Medical Group of the Carolinas has more than 300 physicians across seven counties in two states. SRHS employs nearly 6,000 associates and offers outpatient surgery centers, a vibrant post-acute division, a Level I Trauma Center, and Advicare, a licensed Health Maintenance Organization (HMO). Advicare provides Medicaid services to residents throughout the state of South Carolina. U.S. News and World Report ranked Spartanburg Medical Center the No. 1 regional hospital in South Carolina. The Commission on Cancer gave Gibbs Cancer Center & Research Institute its Outstanding Achievement Award. The American Nurses Association lists SRHS among the nation’s top 7 percent of hospitals for excellence in nursing.

GoUpstate.com
By From staff reports  Apr 28, 2016 at 4:39 PM
(http://www.goupstate.com/news/20160428/cribbs-burger-cook-off-to-be-held-saturday-in-downtown-spartanburg)

 

Cribb’s Kitchen on Main will host its third annual Burger Cook Off from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday beside the clock tower in downtown Spartanburg.

Proceeds will benefit the Children’s Security Blanket, a local nonprofit that provides support for the families of children with cancer.

Taylor Correll-Greer, event coordinator and the front of house manager for Cribb’s, said he hopes the cook-off will raise more than $15,000 for the group.

Correll-Greer said 13 teams will compete this year. The winning burger will be featured on Cribb’s menu.

Want to go?

What: Cribb’s Kitchen third annual Burger Cook Off.

When: Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday; judging will be held from noon-3:30 p.m. and a winner will be announced between 4-4:30 p.m.

Where: Liberty Park next to the clock tower in downtown Spartanburg.

Cost: Event is free. Tickets will be sold for $1. Beer is three tickets, sliders of the burgers are two tickets and nonalcoholic beverages are two tickets. Cash and debit cards will be accepted.

Info: Call 864-699-9669 or go online at cribbsonmain.com

The event will feature live music, activities for kids, dancing and performances courtesy of the Spartanburg Little Theatre.

Cook-off hosts will be Miss South Carolina Leah Lawson, Miss South Carolina Teen Marley Stokes and former Seattle Seahawks player Landon Cohen of Spartanburg.

The event and activities are free.

Food and beverage tickets will be sold for $1 each. Teams will prepare sliders of their burgers. Sliders will cost two tickets, beer will be three tickets and nonalcoholic beverages will be two tickets.

Cash and debit cards will be accepted.

For every $10 spent, participants receive a “golden ticket” that will allow them to vote for their favorite burger.

WSPA.com
http://wspa.com/2016/04/28/3rd-annual-cribbs-kitchen-burger-cookoff-to-benefit-the-childrens-security-blanket/

(3rd Annual Cribb’s Kitchen Burger )

Cookoff to benefit the Children’s Security Blanket

Happening this Saturday in Downtown Spartanburg. Make sure you join the fun and vote on your favorite burger.

Studio 62
By  Jamarcus Gaston  April 25, 2016,12:03pm

http://carolinascw.com/2016/04/25/3rd-cribbs-kitchen-burger-cook-off-happening-saturday-april-30-in-spartanburg/

Cribb’s Kitchen is hosting their 3rd annual Burger Cook-off this Saturday, April 30th in downtown Spartanburg to benefit The Children’s Security Blanket. We get a rundown of how they day will run and meet some of the co-hosts for the event. The cook-off will happen from Noon-5pm at West Main Street and Spring Street.