Chance Encounters
A bi-weekly newsletter publication of Children's Chance
March 27th, 2009
Helping families face pediatric cancer
Children's Chance is...
Going Green!
Welcome to our New On-Line Newsletter!
Chance Encounters will be sent out via email every two weeks and is also available on our website.
In this Edition:
(just click below to view each topic)
Donate - A Little Goes A Long Way
Board Highlight - Meet a Member
Staff Highlight - Meet a Staff Member
Thank you - Jerry Zucker Ride for Hope
Program Highlights - Lunch & Learn
Where's Zig the Pig?
CC Corner - Kenneth Shuler Kicks Kid's Cancer
A Little Goes A Long Way!
Kids
with Cancer Need your Help Today!
Help Kids like Kansas!
Could you imagine watching your child fight cancer and worrying how you are going to pay your mortgage or electric bill? While we all struggle in today’s economy, remember the families out there who have a child fighting cancer and make a difference in their lives.
Support your local non-profit organization, Children’s Chance and their mascot Zig the Pig, and make a difference in the lives of children fighting cancer and their families throughout South Carolina.
Children’s Chance is a non-profit organization formed on September 25, 1996 by two mothers who had daughters battling cancer. Children’s Chance assists children with cancer and their families in South Carolina with non-medical needs.
Put a portion of your
tax-returns to great use & GIVE TODAY!
Click
Here
Visit
www.childrenschance.org to give on-line, call 803-254-5996, or mail
a donation to:
Children’s Chance ~ 609 Sims Avenue ~ Columbia, SC 29205
Meet a Board Member
Susan Barber with Mr. Shuler receiving a check from Cuts for Cancer
Susan Barber is currently employed as a Senior Product Marketing Analyst with Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company. She has worked with the company for 28 years and in Marketing and Communications for the past 9 years. Susan has extensive volunteer experience including being involved with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for 8 years, past president of the Animal Protection League, volunteered for the American Diabetes Association, past Board member of the SC Chapter of the American Diabetes Association, volunteered for the Special Olympics, and Glenforest School.
Susan was one of the original board members of Children’s Chance and knows firsthand the impact that pediatric cancer has on families. Susan’s daughter Erin endured cancer not once, but twice, the second time losing her battle. Susan explains, “I want to help parents in any way I can. Although cancer treatment is devastating to the child, it is to the family as well. I have a passion for this and a firm belief in the purpose of this organization.”
Susan is currently the Vice-Chair of the Children's Chance Board of Directors.
Thank you to all of the Children's Chance Board of Directors
for your continued support of families facing pediatric cancer!
Meet our Executive Director
DeeAnn Jones has been the Executive Director of Children's Chance since June 1, 2005. Prior to that she was a Board Member of the organization and then became Board Chair before joining the Children's Chance staff. She brings over 10 years of experience in the non-profit sector as well as her personal experience with pediatric cancer, which she explains below:
My personal experience with pediatric
cancer began on August 15, 2002. The day that doctor’s told me that my
10 year old son, Stefen, had Leukemia. My life will never be the same
after hearing those words. On that terrible day, my family began the
hard road to battle pediatric cancer. Stefen’s world was no more about
soccer, camping, or fishing but about needles, spinal taps, tears, fear,
and questions. My relationship with my son had always been solid but
the in and out of the daily treatment for cancer made our bond
stronger. We depended on each other. I depended on him to make me
laugh and smile and he depended on me to guide him through this maze of
medical jargon. This disease not only affected me and S
tefen but my
daughter, Terrieanne, and my husband, Brad. Stefen and I spent more
time at the hospital than at home. For the first two years, I only saw
my husband when he visited the hospital or on those rare days that we
were able to stay at home. My daughter Terrieanne was starting 5th
grade when Stefen was diagnosed and her life was very difficult. As a
dedicated mother, I had always been a room mom, went on field trips, and
helped with homework. As a mother with a child with cancer, my life
became about the medicine, the trips to the doctor, the hospital stays
and exhaustion. My daughter had to go through 5th grade on
her own. When Stefen and I were at home she was the “nurse”. She made
sure that we were comfortable and had everything we needed. Terrieanne
gave up a lot of her childhood for her brother and I will always be
grateful for her maturity at such a young age.
My family has made it though the 3 ˝ years of treatment with pediatric cancer. Stefen went into remission in November 2005. Stefen and Terrieanne are now Juniors at Airport High School. My supportive husband and I now know the true meaning of family. We never forget what may lye ahead of us so we hold tight to our children and we continue to fight!
To Contact DeeAnn, please call the Children's Chance office at
803-254-5996 or email her at deeannjones@bellsouth.net
Mark your Calendars!
Annual Bi-Lo Charity Scan Card Classic
May 6th - June 9th, 2009
Visit one of the following Bi-Lo locations and donate $1.00 at the Register! All proceeds benefit Children's Chance to help kids with cancer in South Carolina and their families. Look for our mascot, Zig the Pig, making special appearances at Bi-Lo during this event.
Lexington Bi-Lo - Columbia Avenue
West Columbia Bi-Lo - Knox Abbott Drive
Garner's Ferry Bi-Lo - Garner's Ferry Road
Village at Sandhills Bi-Lo - Forum Drive
Decker Bi-Lo - Decker Blvd
12th Annual Billy Mill
Charity Golf Classic
Monday, May 18th, 2009
Mark your calendars for one of Children's Chance biggest and best events, the 12th Annual Billy Mill Charity Golf Classic. The tournament hosts golfers from around the country and features 18 holes of golf in a Captain's Choice format, great food, raffle prizes and goodie bags, and a silent and live auction all to benefit Children's Chance and help kids with cancer in South Carolina!
Thank you to the wonderful Mill Family & PASCO who put this tournament on each year in memory of Billy Mill, a loved husband and father, who lost his fight with cancer over 12 years ago.
Wanted!!!
Golfers
Auction Donations
Raffle & Goodie Bag Prizes
Sponsors
Volunteers
Kids with Cancer and their Siblings to Greet Golfers
and be our Special Guests of Honor
Download the Tournament Brochure!
For more information contact: Samantha Higgins at 803-254-5996
Children's Chance
Lunch & Learn Series
for Families Facing Pediatric Cancer
About the Program:
The Lunch and Learn Series presented by Children's Chance gives parents that have a child with cancer information about a number of topics. It also provides them with the opportunity to get to know other parents who are facing similar circumstances. Following the educational session, lunch will be provided to all participants.
Mark your Calendars & Register! (only open to families facing pediatric cancer)
WORKING WITH YOUR SCHOOL from 11:30am – 12:30pm
Location: Greenville Hospital Systems, Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Having a child with cancer and working with your school can be a learning process. Join us as we discuss Medical Homebound Services and the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) process. We will teach you what the schools responsibilities are, what services you can request and how to protect the rights of your child. Presenter: Office of Exceptional Children at the SC Department of Education
DISCIPLINING A SICK CHILD from 11:30am – 12:30pm
Location: MUSC, Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Disciplining a child is never easy but how do you discipline a child who has endured so much? Learn techniques to use to ensure that your child behaves even when they are receiving treatment. Presenter: Pediatric Psychologist
LEARNING TO RELAX from 11:30am – 12:30pm
Location: MUSC, Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Location: Greenville Hospital Systems, Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Relaxing while your child faces cancer can be difficult. This session will offer chair massages in a soothing atmosphere. During this relaxing time, the participants and moderator will discuss ways to relax at home or while you are in the hospital. Register now for this session – only 15 spaces available! Presenters: Licensed Massage Therapist
REGISTRATION:
To register for any of the sessions,
please contact DeeAnn Jones at
Children’s Chance, 803-254-5996, at least two days prior to the session.
We welcome walk-ins at all of the sessions but we can not
guarantee lunch if you do not register.
Special Feature
Kenneth Shuler Kicks Kids' Cancer!
Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology recently sponsored the 5th Annual Cuts for Cancer event on March 22 & 23 to benefit Children's Chance. Cuts for Cancer was started 5 years ago by the School's Director, Michelle Richardson, in partnership with Mr. Shuler, owner of Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology, to help children fighting cancer in South Carolina by raising money for Children's Chance. Cuts for Cancer offers $5.00 haircuts and other services including mini-manicures and mini-pedicures, with all proceeds being donated to Children's Chance.
This year's Cuts for Cancer event was a huge success raising a total of $3,000. The event raised $1,500 and Mr. Shuler matches that amount dollar for dollar. Over the past five years, Cuts for Cancer has raised over $12,000 to help families facing pediatric cancer. Children's Chance remains grateful to Mr. Shuler, Michelle Richardson, and the staff and students of Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology for their continued support and dedication to helping kids fighting cancer and their families in South Carolina.
Kids Kickin' Cancer!
Click here to read more about Children's Chance families!
Alice
at the Faces of Hope
Program
Brittany
at the Faces of Hope Program
Justin
at the Faces of Hope Program
Zig the Pig?
Zig's
off to School...
To find out how your school can
adopt
Zig,
click here!
March 2 - 27th
Nursery Road Elementary
March 16 - 27th
Alice Drive Elementary
April 13 - May 8th
Pineview Elementary
Zig's Around Town...
Come see Zig at:
SmartFinish
Monday, April 27
Edventure Children's Museum
5:30-7:30 pm
This event is open to Richland School District One Students. Zig will make a special appearance to give out Zig the Pig tattoos and meet some great kids!
If you are interested in having
Zig at your
community event, email
Zig!
To find out more about Zig the Pig, visit www.zigthepig.org
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Keep up with
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Thank you to the
Jerry Zucker
Ride for Hope
for your donation of $3,000.00
The purpose of the ride is to fundraise for the Lance Armstrong Foundation and local charities involved in the fight against cancer.
The Course for the Ride is a Flat lollipop course with a turnaround at 15 miles for those that are doing the 30 mile ride, and a scenic Lowcountry tour of 100k+ flat and nice country roads.
The Ride also offers a Bicycle Rodeo for Family and Children that
includes a bicycle safety, games, helmet fitting and instruction will be
done for family and children. Free helmets for kids while they last, to
all that attend.
The Jerry Zucker
Ride for Hope will be held again on Sunday, October 26, 2009.
To register for this ride or to
learn more visit:
To submit a story idea, or content for the newsletter, please email us
Children's Chance ~
609 Sims Avenue, 2nd Floor ~ Columbia, SC 29205
Phone: (803) 254-5996, Fax: (803) 254-5997
www.childrenschance.org
or www.zigthepig.org
childrenschance@bellsouth.net
VALPAK