RICHMOND, VA - (Wednesday, July 9, 2008) – Due to the support of the Richmond community, the Richmond Kickers and Connor’s Heroes were able to raise over $25,000 to benefit the Jamie Hess Bone Marrow Transplant Research Fund at VCU’s Massey Cancer Center through the combined events of the Anthem Quest for the Cure and the sixth annual Jamie Hess Night on June 21st.
“Having the support of the Richmond Kickers has been invaluable to us,” commented Steve and Lisa Goodwin of Connor’s Heroes. “We could not have had such a successful fundraiser without their help and we look forward to continuing our relationship.”
The Jamie Hess Fund was established in honor of Jamie Hess, a ten-year old Kickers fan who lost his battle with leukemia in 2002. The Fund helps seed new research projects in the area of Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplantation. Each year, the Kickers and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield dedicate a game night where a portion of the proceeds benefits the Jamie Hess Fund. Additionally, for the second year, families, friends, and corporate teams had the opportunity to don their fedora and use treasure maps, clues, and cool gadgets to race through Carytown and be the first to solve the secrets of the Anthem “Quest for the Cure.” The Quest began at the University of Richmond Stadium and ended with an enhanced Fun Zone, live music and other activities at the Kickers game later that evening when the Kickers battled the Harrisburg City Islanders to a scoreless draw.
In addition to the Quest and the Kickers game night activities, Anthem associates also contributed with donations, while the Richmond Kickers Youth Soccer Club raised money and awareness through a Juggle-A-Thon.
About Connor’s Heroes
Connor’s Heroes Foundation was established in 2006 and strives to conquer childhood cancer. The organization provides Heroes Bags and Backpacks to families with a child who has been diagnosed with cancer at the VCU Children’s Medical Center. Additionally, the program benefits families who have a child who suffers a relapse, families who lose a child to cancer, and families whose child celebrates the end of cancer treatment.
