New Identity for Childhood Cancer Unveiled

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NEW IDENTITY FOR CHILDHOOD CANCER UNVEILED TO BRING MORE AWARENESS AND FUNDS TO CAUSE   DALLAS (September 15, 2011) - An eight-year-old Texas boy who lost his four-year battle with cancer has inspired the creation of a new national icon for childhood cancer.  Connor the Caterpillar, unveiled in Dallas today during National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, was developed by the non-profit organization TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation (beatchildcancer.org) after Connor Cruse succumbed to neuroblastoma in 2009. "This is a historical day for the fight against childhood cancer," said Joy Cruse, mother of Connor and founder of TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation. "Beginning today, we are aggressively moving the childhood cancer conversation outside of the cancer community. Children should not have to endure cancer and they should never be subjected to drugs and protocols that are meant for treating adults. We need more dialogue about childhood cancer and a kid-friendly image is a new beginning to increase awareness." Carolyn Alvey and Joy Cruse unveil "Connor the Caterpillar," the new icon for National Childhood Cancer Awareness at III Forks Restaurant in Dallas September 15, 2011. TeamConnor paired up with the Dallas-based ad agency LOOMIS (theloomisagency.com) to create a singular icon to represent childhood cancer. Loomis created the icon on a pro bono basis for the charity. The creation of this national icon gives childhood cancer a common voice that has been missing from the cause.   "The previous mark for childhood cancer was a generic gold ribbon," said Carolyn Alvey, TeamConnor board member.  "We set out to create an image that affirms children are the center of our cause. Children can relate to the caterpillar and so can adults. The color green is significant because it represents perseverance, patience, growth and healing.  For a child to win the war against cancer, they must go through each of these stages. Caterpillars grow up, spread their wings and fly. This is the essence of what parents envision for their children."  Childhood cancer is the number one disease killer of children in our country, yet only 3% of the National Cancer Institute's budget is allocated to childhood cancer research.  The current treatments are so toxic to a child they can cause lifelong disabilities. 13-year-old cancer patient Hanna Waters of Richardson gives Connor the Caterpillar two thumbs up.  "This was an eye opening experience for our entire team," said Mike Sullivan, president of Loomis. "Before we began working on this project, we were not aware how poorly funded childhood cancer is in our country. We hope the visibility this new identity generates will play a big role in more dollars being donated by the consumer and business community to the cause." Funding More Research Funding new research is the biggest priority in the battle to find newtreatments and ultimately cures for childhood cancers.  TeamConnor has three research projects underway and would like to expand the research among the 12 childhood cancer types. Tax-deductible donations can be made directly to TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation, 12221 Merit Drive,Suite 1500 Dallas, TX 75251. For those who want to involve their communities, TeamConnor's Coins for Kids with Cancer is a fundraising program that can easily be implemented.  The community service program teaches kids about helping others while collecting coins to aid in childhood cancer research. More information about the program can be found at www.beatchildcancer.org.  Jennifer Bolton, TeamConnor executive director; Mike Sullivan, president, LOOMIS; 13-year-old cancer patient Hanna Waters of Richardson; and Joy Cruse, TeamConnor founder TeamConnor Dallas-based TeamConnor was founded in 2008 while Connor Cruse was battling neuroblastoma, a malignant tumor usually found in the adrenal gland that most often affects young children and spreads quickly. TeamConnor is currently funding three research projects at the top medical facilities in the country, including University of California San Francisco Benioff Children's Hospital, Memorial Sloan- Kettering in New York, and MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.      Loomis Agency Dallas-based LOOMIS is a full-service advertising agency specializing in discovering and leveraging strategic advantages for challenger brands competing against category dominators. The agency's expertise extends across multiple retail categories, and includes mid-market restaurant chains, home services companies, banking and financial institutions, apparel, beverages, and more. Click below to see the story on WFAA Channel 8.   If you want to help, you can change your Facebook profile to feature "Connor the Caterpillar" to recognize National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.  Email jbolton@teamconnor.org for the image.   You can also "Like" the two facebook pages below - National Childhood Cancer Awareness and TeamConnor Cancer Foundation. TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation 12221 Merit Drive, Suite 1500 Dallas, Texas 75251 O: 972-663-7327 F: 972-663-7298 jbolton@teamconnor.org   TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation    National Childhood Cancer Awareness

Have you visited the Lord Lately?

Prayer Warriors-  Have you spoken with the Lord today?  Have you take time out to listen to the Lord today?

Odd questions, but for us there is conviction from the Lord to ask.  Many of you know that Princess has had a wonderful 10 weeks of reprieve from her seizures.  She has been able to have great time with Critter.  Enjoy time coming up with creations in the kitchen.  Now although she was not entirely seizure-free as she was still having multiple auras, she none the less had amazing energy and overall, felt good!  Being off the Ketogenic Diet has even been nice as we have averaged eating out at Freebirds about twice per week!

However, last week something literally changed and the auras intensified.  Then, increased in number.  Lasted longer in duration.  Were more seizure-like...  The seizures were back.  Princess has seen the power of prayer throughout these 5 years of our life and again, we're calling on our faithful friends, brothers, sisters....Prayer Warriors.  When we call on the Lord's name, He is faithful to hear us. 

So we are asking for your support, yet again.  Please pray.  Today, Princess has had 6 seizures.  It has been a rough day.  She felt like the Lord was wanting us to post this as maybe it will be a reminder for one of you who are followers of the Foxhole to talk to the Lord if you haven't today?  Maybe it's time for one of you to visit with the Lord for the first time in a week.  Or maybe you read the good news of Princess' restoration, and haven't reached out to the Lord beyond that.

Our lives are for God's glory.  In sickness and in health we believe this.  So while we don't quite understand days like today, we do know that God is faithful and loves to hear us call upon His name. 

So have you visited with the Lord lately?  And when you do, if you wouldn't mind lifting up an amazing woman who despite life's many curve balls, continues to choose joy in the midst of struggle.

Thank you.

2 Chronicles 7:14