Children’s Cancer Partners Impact Story: Clay Patterson Shares Childhood Cancer Story with Local Students to Make Big Impact
Children’s Cancer Partners welcome three new board members
David Granger – Greenville, SC
David was born in Greenville and moved to Taylors when he was 9, ultimately graduating from Eastside High School. He attended North Greenville University and USC Upstate, majoring in Psychology and Criminal Justice. David worked for Pat Ryan and Associates for a number of years and then moved on to a lengthy career with Ford Motor Credit Company. There he was National Training Manager and the Northeast Regional Sales Manager. David retired from Ford Motor Credit in 2009.
David has a heart for giving back through volunteering. He previously served on the Board for Winslow Therapeutic- Healing with Horses, as well as President of Eastside High School Athletics Hall of Fame.
His hobbies and interests include golfing, sports in general, photography and canvas art, training animals (service dogs), and animal rescue transfers.
David is a near 4 year cancer survivor and knows all too well what it is like to battle the horrible disease and the toll it can take on a person and their family. This is why he is passionate about helping others who have cancer, especially children. David is very excited about helping Children’s Cancer Partners through volunteering, building awareness and much more!
Dr. Elisabeth (Lisa) Tracy- Durham, NC
Dr. Elisabeth Tracy graduated from Harvard Medical School in 2005 before completing a residency in General Surgery at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC from 2005 to 2012. She then completed a fellowship in Research Fellowship, Pediatric Blood and Marrow Program at Duke University Medical Center from 2007 to 2009.
I am committed to caring for infants and children with surgical diseases, including congenital and vascular anomalies, childhood cancer, and abnormalities of the lungs and esophagus. As a pediatric surgeon and a mother, I also have a strong interest in pediatric trauma – caring for our youngest injured patients and working to prevent similar injuries in the future
Colleen Rice – Spartanburg, SC
Colleen grew up on the southwest coast of Florida and moved to Spartanburg to attend Wofford College. As a biology major, she always knew the healthcare field was in her future and she entered the workforce joining the Hospice Care of South Carolina (HCSC) team initially working on data analytics and then quality, compliance and operations. HCSC was the first company in South Carolina to start a dedicated pediatric hospice program (Hands Of Hope) and they hosted a semi-annual grief camp for children and families called Katherine’s Camp (later rebranded to Camp Hands of Hope). Colleen was involved in the operations of the pediatric hospice program and also assisted in leading the bereavement camps for many years.
After working for HCSC, Colleen was recruited to a role as Account Executive with HospiScript (a United Health Group Company) where she worked directly with hospice clinicians to help them utilize the Pharmacy Benefit Management services from HospiScript as well as coordinating education for the staff with a Hospice Pharmacist. Colleen then took a role as the Vice President of Operations for a healthcare management company whose focus was on improving patient quality of care in skilled nursing facilities. Today she proudly works for Microsoft as a Customer Success Account Manager (CSAM) supporting large healthcare providers on the East Coast. The CSAM role is responsible for creating and developing strategic business relationships with the executive leadership teams to understand their digital transformation goals while also ensuring they are realizing the value of their Microsoft investments. The Microsoft team who works with our healthcare customers have industry experience which helps bridge the gap between clinicians and IT to provide solutions that are more secure, easier for the end users, and less administrative burden on the IT departments.
Outside of work, Colleen enjoys volunteering in Spartanburg and has served on many nonprofit boards and committees. She enjoys spending time with family and friends and loves taking walks in Converse Heights.
Volunteer Spotlight: Ellie Mitchell
Ellie Mitchell started her volunteer work with her grandmother, Sandy Stanley, when she was just 13 years old. The now high school senior has been volunteering for Children’s Cancer Partners (CCP) for over four years. Ellie’s passion has grown from small office volunteer jobs to taking over projects. Most recently, Ellie spearheaded our “Christmas Corner” at both Spartanburg and Durham Holiday Spectaculars. She made our children, their parents, and their siblings feel like they were having a boutique experience. Ellie gathered knitted hats, blankets, and scarves for our families to choose from. She also enlisted a couple of her friends to help her wrap each of these items upon request of our families. She also commits her time to sending our bereaved families a card on the anniversary of their child’s passing. This is a special project that means so much to our families.
Ellie has volunteered at our family program events, Camp Victory and Camp Rachel, as well as our fundraising events, Burger Cook-Off and Docs Who Rock for several years. “Ellie is truly one of a kind. Her selfless heart and warm personality make her a joy to be around,” states Kim Melick, Director of Operations. “We are grateful for Ellie’s tireless dedication to our children and can’t wait to see all she will accomplish in the future.” Thank you Ellie for everything you do for our children!
Partner Spotlight: Responding to Needs Faster
That is what Children’s Cancer Partner’s (CCP) new Nexus Platform will help us do for our children and their families, and our hospital partners too. Launching in the beginning of 2023, the CCP NEXUS will:
- allow caregivers to submit their support requests and expense records online, saving time
- enable CCP staff to respond more rapidly, and make deposits directly into family bank accounts instead of mailing paper checks
- give treatment centers the ability to refer newly diagnosed children immediately and more easily through dedicated and secure online hospital portals
- help CCP family advocates and treatment center social workers to share information more swiftly to ensure the best coordination of support
- Give parents and caregivers easier ways to learn of new programs, events and caregiving information – and respond more easily too
All of these important improvements are made possible by a unique collaboration of funders, and more than a year of planning by CCP, led by Director of Family Programs, Shannon Brown, MSW, LCISW. The funders – the Fullerton Foundation of Gaffney, SC, the Timken Foundation headquartered in North Canton, Ohio, and the Foundation for the Carolinas Longleaf Fund of Charlotte, NC – provided grants totaling $182,000, each according to their respective funding priorities.
“Doing our work more swiftly and efficiently means that more of our limited dollars are available for the steadily growing number of children,” noted CCP Executive Director, Laura Allen, “so it is especially impressive that three funders, each with their own priorities, came together to help us take this fabulous step forward.”
The Fullerton Foundation seeks innovations that improve healthcare, Timken has numerous manufacturing centers in the Carolinas and “gives back” to the communities that surround them, while the Longleaf Fund focuses on several cities that are within the CCP service territory. They all found in CCP’s NEXUS Project ways to advance their grantmaking goals. The reductions in time to make referrals and deliver support, administrative and postage costs, all add up to helping more children faster. Addition by subtraction!
More Help for Cape Fear Children Battling Cancer
Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas and Strut for Kids Announce Merger: Forming a Robust Organization to Help Children and Families Battling Cancer
Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas (CCP), a nonprofit focused on serving children battling cancer across North and South and Carolina, and Strut for Kids, a nonprofit serving greater Wilmington’s families on the childhood cancer journey, are merging to consolidate operations and serve families more efficiently and effectively.
The restructuring will allow the combined organizations to meet the growing needs of families battling cancer in North and South Carolina. CCP serves all 146 NC and SC counties, with an estimated 2,000 children in 2022. This outreach work overlaps with Strut’s efforts in Brunswick, New Hanover, and Pender Counties in NC. By combining efforts, the nonprofits are stronger as they collectively ensure that their parallel missions – very much alike – will endure until the end of childhood cancer.
“The support and love childhood cancer patients and their families received from Strut for Kids will endure, stronger than ever through this partnership. We completed a thorough due diligence evaluation and it was abundantly clear throughout the process that CCP’s mission and vision aligned with that of Strut; Cape Fear families and those far beyond our service area will undoubtedly benefit from the programming and operational strength of the combined nonprofit organizations,” said Amy McFarland, Strut For Kids board President. “Our families will benefit from the highly professional CCP Family Advocate Staff working alongside many volunteers locally in our community.”
This merger will allow greater cost-efficiency and flexibility to meet family needs. While CCP support averages $1,500 per child per year, even a single child referred for specialized treatment in NY, TX, or beyond can require $10-12,000 annually for travel, extended lodging, and meals.
“The impact and strengths of Strut for Kids and CCP are already substantial. The merger will bolster our organization as we will have a larger reach and resources for Eastern North Carolina,” said Laura Allen, CCP Executive Director. “By aligning with Strut for Kids, Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas will increase service delivery as our two organizations have the same strategic vision. The merger will proceed at a pace that ensures minimal disruption to children and their families, and we are honored to come together to help those in need.”
Allen and McFarland both pointed out that childhood cancer is an invisible tragedy for many, but the facts are powerful:
- Cancer is the #1 disease killer of children
- Too few places treat childhood cancers – only 6 locations in NC, 3 in SC
- Children of poor and rural families suffer 3X greater risks
- Barely 4% of research dollars are targeted to pediatric cancers
- One in 5 children will not survive five years; on a more realistic time frame, 1 in 3 will not survive 20 years
OUTSTANDING KIDZ IN LIDS SCHOOL: Will your school be next?
North Raleigh Christian Academy Raises over $4,000 for NC Children Battling Cancer
North Raleigh Christian Academy (NRCA) raised several thousands of dollars for North Carolina children battling cancer as part of the Children’s Cancer Partners’ Kidz in Lids inclusion program. The school broke the record for the most dollars raised in any North Carolina school and earned third place in North and South Carolina for most dollars raised per student.
“Not only did NRCA’s Kidz in Lids day bring awareness and support to childhood cancer, but it also allowed our school to put a face and testimony with this special day with Anna Caroline and Katie Jordan. Hosting a Kidz in Lids day at NRCA will be one of the highlights of the school year.”
Dr. Kevin Mathes, NRCA Superintendent.
One of the local students that has received that support is NRCA second grader Anna Caroline Jordan. When Anna Caroline was battling Leukemia, Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas (CCP) was an essential supporter in making sure she was able to attend her life saving treatments. Anna Caroline and her mother, Katie Jordan, helped promote NRCA’s Kidz in Lids day by sharing their family’s battle with cancer and how CCP aided their family during that time.
Kidz in Lids encourages students at participating schools to don a hat or jeans–for teachers and staff–and donate $1 and $5, respectively, to CCP. This Carolina-based multi-state safety net organization gets children to treatment, regardless of how often or far.
“As an NRCA parent, I am proud to see my children, their classmates, and our school support the Kidz in Lids program,” said Beau Bourquin, NRCA parent, and CCP Development Committee Member. “It teaches about inclusion, kindness, empathy, and, most importantly, allows students to give back to other children who are battling cancer and need the support of their peers.”
Learn more about Kidz in Lids or sign your school up for a Kidz in Lids fundraising event by visiting CCP’s website.
Letter to the Editor: Kathy Dunleavy, Community Leader
I cannot think of anyone I know who has not been touched by cancer–themselves, a loved one, or a friend. This year, over 1.8 million Americans will receive a cancer diagnosis.
But now imagine being a Mom or Dad and hearing a doctor say, “Your child has cancer.” That will happen over 17,000 times this year, and the incidence has been creeping up slowly for several decades. Carolina parents will hear it over 700 times this year.
During September–National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month–take a few moments to learn the grim facts of childhood cancer, and to share them with friends and neighbors so that, together, we can make things better.
Cancer is the #1 disease killer of children in America.
Too few places treat pediatric cancers–only 201 nationwide, only one here in the Upstate.
Children of rural or poor families are three times more likely to be diagnosed late, get incomplete treatment, relapse, or die from cancer.
Barely 4% of all cancer research dollars are targeted at pediatric cancers.
Survival rates are different for children. In adults, we speak of five years survival, but that does not mean so much for an eight or 10-year-old. Only two out of three of them will survive 20 years from their cancer diagnosis.
We are blessed here in the Carolinas with an organization that provides a safety net for these children and their families. If you know it–Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas–then tell your friends, this month especially. If you don’t, take a few minutes at www.childrenscancerpartners.org to learn more, and see how you can help.
Here’s to the end of cancer. And let it begin with our children.
Sincerely,
Kathy Dunleavy
Carolinas Childhood Cancer Giveback Month
Throughout the month of September businesses, groups, and individuals held fundraising events to benefit Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas and the over 1,800 children we partner with. We are so grateful for all of the support during September and beyond.
September 14, 2022
Two Roosters Ice Cream’s Durham, NC location held a Spirit Night to giveback. A Children’s Cancer Partners family event made an appearance!
Fudruckers locations in Anderson, Duncan , Greer, Greenville, & Spartanburg in South Carolina held a percentage day. A percentage of each sale went directly to local children battling cancer.
September 22, 2022
Verde in the Forest Acres area of Columbia, SC hosted a Spirit Night, donating a percentage of sales to Children’s Cancer Partners.
That same day, Holy City Brewing Company held a vendor fair with a DJ and donated a percentage to support local children battling cancer.
September 24, 2022
The Revival benefit concert at Averie’s Ice Cream Shop in Inman, SC. A Children’s Cancer Partners Dad and The Revival’s guitarist, Chad Lane, organized a benefit concert to support families that are going through a similar journey as their family.
The Scuba Shop of Spartanburg held their annual Underwater Checkers Tournament. Started as a fundraiser for one of their scuba diving students in 2019, The Scuba Shop continued their tournament after a two year hiatus due to COVID-19.
Palmetto Optimist Club hosted a Burger Cook-Off in Downtown Sumter while Childhood Cancer Optimist Club held a car show in conjunction with the event. Both organizations are longtime partners of Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas. You can watch the event recap here.
A Children’s Cancer Partners family hosted a yoga class to honor their child and bring awareness to childhood cancer. Proceeds from the event are serving this child and over 1,800 like them.
September 28, 2022
NoDa Brewing, located in Charlotte, NC, hosted a “You Drink, We Donate” event with $1 per beverage sold benefiting Children’s Cancer Partners.
A Friend of Children’s Cancer Partners held a free classical Pilates mat class to honor cancer survivors, especially childhood cancer survivors, in Downtown Spartanburg. Proceeds benefited Children’s Cancer Partners.
Carolina Leaders Support Children’s Cancer Partners in September
During Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Children’s Cancer Partners was pleased to have the support of several leaders across the Carolinas.
“We thank all these Carolina leaders for standing behind Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and helping to create awareness for the very important mission of Children’s Cancer Partners,” said Laura Allen, Executive Director of Children’s Cancer Partners. “There is a lot of work to be done to eliminate the burden facing these children and their families — and we are proud and thrilled to have these leaders as ambassadors of our mission.”
Governor Roy Cooper
Gov. Cooper declared September as North Carolina Childhood Cancer Awareness Month through a proclamation.
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kody Kinsley
Secretary Kinsley shared a video on social media expressing his appreciation and support of organizations like Children’s Cancer Partners.
North Carolina State Senator Thom Tillis
Sen. Tillis also shared a video on social media expressing his appreciation and support of organizations like Children’s Cancer Partners
Neil Robinson, Chairman of the South Carolina Education Oversight Committee
Chairman Robinson authored a letter to all South Carolina public school principals encouraging their participation in Kidz in Lids.
North Carolina Superintendent of the Department of Education Catherine Truitt
Superintendent Truitt also authored a letter to all North Carolina public school principals encouraging their participation in Kidz in Lids.
South Carolina Leaders, Tim Scott and Lindsay Graham, Designate September 2022 as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. You can read the press release here.
We send a tremendous salute and thank you to these leaders for your support!
Letter to the Editor: Honoring a young life taken by childhood cancer
National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. September hits hard. But really, many days hit hard. Birthdays, holidays, new seasons, fresh blooms of flowers. They are all a reminder of a hat I painfully wear–I am the father of a beautiful little girl who lost her battle to cancer. Words that are never easy to say.
When our daughter passed, I knew I wanted to do something one day that helped other families battling a journey only I could understand. A journey filled with medical jargon, frightened feelings, feelings of desperation that only a parent of a child with cancer could understand.
When I learned about Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas, an organization whose mission is to cover treatment related travel costs–food, lodging, and transportation–so that families could get their child to treatment no matter how often or how far; I knew this was the organization I wanted to be a part of.
Why? Because I can attest that no family budgets for cancer. And when going through something so tremendously hard, anything that can relieve the burden so that a family can focus on their child is the very best gift that can be given. For me personally, every second I was able to be with my child gave me the lasting memories that are so dear to me. I want all families to have this gift and for no one to experience the pain my family experienced.
We are fortunate here in the Carolinas to have this organization, Children’s Cancer Partners, that reaches out to families within 24 hours, walks beside them on their terrifying journey, and fills the financial gaps so that every child has access to the best care. That might be in New York, Houston or beyond and they make sure children get there.
In honor of my incredible daughter, this month especially, please take a few minutes to visit that organization–Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas at www.childrenscancerpartners.org to learn more about the enormous challenges of childhood cancer, and what you can do to make things better.
Sincerely
Ryan Melvin
Children’s Cancer Partners Impact Story: Clay Patterson Shares Childhood Cancer Story with Local Students to Make Big Impact
On Friday, September 23, Clay Patterson shared his childhood cancer story with the student body of St. Joseph’s Catholic School – a school participating in the Kidz in Lids program. Clay, now 20, is a sophomore at the University of South Carolina studying public health. While he was in high school, he experienced cancer and worked hard to bring awareness to his own school through the Kidz in Lids program. Now, Clay is an ambassador helping other students understand his journey. Hear it from Clay himself in his very special message to other Kidz:
“For those of you that do not know much about Childhood Cancer, I am here to share a little bit about what it is and what it means to me. The summer before my junior year of high school, I was enjoying my time off from school just like any other teenager or kid would do. I was doing things like playing basketball with my friends, swimming for my summer league swim team, and playing video games with my brothers. And then one day, I began to feel a little extra tired and light-headed. I could tell something was off, so I told my mom to take me to my doctor. On July 17th, 2019, I went to a doctor’s appointment that would change my life forever. After running some tests, my doctor sent me immediately to the hospital where I was diagnosed with a form of cancer: Leukemia AML. My next 6-8 months were spent in and out of the hospital, receiving treatment to fight this disease. I was no longer able to do the regular things that any other kid would do like going to school or hanging out with my friends. My whole life and my whole family’s life had been turned upside down because all our energy had been shifted to battling cancer,” said Clay.
“However, my situation is not individual. There are hundreds of different kids around South Carolina, even right here in Columbia, who have a very similar situation to me. Their whole lives have been turned upside down by a disease in a matter of days. These are kids who are just like all of you, but instead of playing on the playground at recess or sleeping in their own bed at home, they spend most of their time in and out of hospitals feeling really sick and receiving treatment. Most of these kids are unable to go to school, spending more time with doctors and nurses than they get to spend with their friends. This is why Kids in Lidz is so important. You get the chance to help kids and their families that are battling childhood cancer right here in South Carolina. All the money you raise goes to an organization, the Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas, who support families that are battling childhood cancer.”
To sign up for Kidz in Lids and help children battling cancer in the Carolinas, please reach out to Kate Morrow at [email protected].