Capture the Holidays, in Picture form!

As you finish off the last of the leftover turkey and stuffing (finally!) and begin to prepare for the December holidays, remember to keep taking creative and exciting photos for the 2010 Photo Connection Photo Contest.

From Jan. 3 through Feb 4, 2011, photos can be submitted via the Children’s Cancer Connection website. Categories include:

• Camp Heart Connection
• Family Outings
• Hospital Based
• Volunteer
• Survivorship
• Individual Child

A more detailed list with suggested photos for each category will appear on our website with the photo entry form during the contest dates.

 

We will select the top three photos in each of the six categories, in addition to the overall grand prize winner, and showcase these photos on our website.

 

Don’t let this busy time of year cause you to forget about capturing family occasions. It’s okay to take 37 pictures of Timmy helping Grandpa carve the turkey, just make sure to send a few our way!

 

Happy Holidays!

 

Bringing Smiles and Holiday Cheer

The holiday season is upon us and many individuals dedicate this season to thinking of others by reaching out to help someone in need of extra cheer in their life.

Families with children who have received a cancer diagnosis within the year are often overwhelmed with the treatment process and the holidays can be an added stress. The Adopt-A-Family program was created by Children’s Cancer Connection for those families to be able to celebrate the holidays, despite the additional financial burden the families are experiencing, due to additional hospital costs.

Local businesses, civic organizations and extended family choose to sponsor a family and receive a list of items they need in addition to holiday gifts the kids would like. Each family also receives gift cards to local grocery stores and gas stations to assist with day-to-day expenses.

The sponsors bring the purchased items to the Children’s Cancer Connection office, so the staff can deliver the gifts one week before Christmas. One staff member shares their past story of a gift delivery:

“One delivery that really touched my heart was to a single mom and her three children; the youngest was a one-year-old with cancer. When we arrived, one of her children hugged my co-worker’s legs the minute we walked into the door. The family lived in a small apartment with a couch, television and kitchen table with one chair. The family had no Christmas tree to put the presents under, so we placed them in a room that had a crib and stroller along with a deflated air mattress the mom was using as her bed.
Knowing that Children’s Cancer Connection’s Adopt-A-Family program helped make this family’s Christmas brighter was a wonderful feeling to have during the holiday season.”

Holiday cheer can be spread in more ways than just this one. How will you reach out to others during this holiday season?

Spring Communication and Copywriting Intern Needed!

Are you looking for an internship experience? Would you like to earn college credit? Take a look below and see what an internship with the Children’s Cancer Connection has to offer!


Title: Communications/Copywriting Intern (8 - 10 hours per week)

Reports to: Director of Marketing and Communication

Duration: Part-time, Spring, Summer or Fall

Organization: Children’s Cancer Connection - 1221 Center Street, Des Moines, IA 50309-1014
Children’s Cancer Connection, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, has provided support services and programs for children with cancer and their families since 1988. The organization sponsors two week-long summer camps for children with cancer and their siblings, provides support groups, family outings, weekend retreats, hospital-based programs and a survivorship program.

Organizations Mission Statement: We enhance the quality of life for children and families affected by childhood cancer by providing programs for education, recreation and support.

Qualifications:
• Academic major in Communications, Journalism or Graphic Design
• Proficiency in MS Word, Outlook and Excel
• Ability to multi-task and work well on a team
• Strong organizational skills, time management skills and attention to detail
• Knowledge of layout design; Working knowledge of Adobe products including InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop a plus
• Copywriting and editing skills
• Knowledge of social media networking tools

Position Summary:
This un-paid position will, under the direction of the Management Team, assist in the design of semi-annual newsletters, regular e-newsletters, weekly press releases, copy write and edit print pieces, and assist in the development of brochures and other print materials for program and fundraising activities. Also, this position will assist in maintaining the organizations website and Social Media Networking tools- Facebook, Twitter, Blog, ect.

This internship will provide a student the ability to increase their portfolio with press releases, marketing pieces and website development. Because of the part-time nature of this opportunity, a student could potentially hold another job/internship. We offer flexible scheduling and a fun, fast-paced environment where students can directly impact the lives of children dealing with cancer.

Responsibilities:
• Design and develop organizational newsletters
• Create brochures as needed
• Develop e-newsletter artilces and spotlights
• Research articles and conduct interviews as needed
• Seek opportunities for and write weekly press releases
• Calendar Updates, Event Photo’s, etc.
• Develop opportunities for use of social network tools (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, Blog etc.)
• General administrative support

Contact Information:
Children’s Cancer Connection
Emily Beckmann- Director of Marketing and Communication
1221 Center Street, Suite 12
Des Moines, IA 50309-1014
515-243-6239 ext. 1102
Emily@ChildrensCancerConnection.com

All interested students – freshmen through seniors – are encouraged to apply. Submit cover letter and resume to the address or email address above.

For more information about Children’s Cancer Connection, please visit our website at: http://www.childrenscancerconnection.org/

AIB student Megan Calmer exceeds service requirements with Children's Cancer Connection




Megan Calmer, a student at AIB College of Business in Des Moines, started volunteering with Children’s Cancer Connection to fulfill service requirements for the college. After her time requirement had been met, she continued to come back and make a difference in whatever way she could.
“Every time I see a smile on one of the kid’s faces, I feel like I am making a difference,” Calmer said. “I see how appreciative all the families are that they have Children’s Cancer Connection, where their kids can be kids and get the support they need.”

Calmer is inspired by the lively spirits of the children who have been touched by cancer. “Every time I am around the children, I realize that it is all the little things in life that make is so wonderful,” she said.

Following her college graduation, Calmer would like to enter the non-profit sector to continue making a difference in the lives of others.

“The first time I volunteered [at Children’s Cancer Connection] was during my second term at college and I didn't really know what I wanted to do with my life,” Calmer said. “Volunteering at Children's Cancer Connection has inspired me to go into non-profit after college.”