ABC5 joins in to promote Holiday Cards by Kids

After the children designed the cards in the summer, they were printed and packed in the fall, just in time to be sold in the winter. With all the hard work that goes into the creation of Holiday Cards by Kids, how does Children’s Cancer Connection spread the word?

Eight years ago, the local television station ABC5 stepped in to help Children’s Cancer Connection tell the community about Holiday Cards by Kids.

Doug Sawyer, promotion manager and public service director at ABC5, said it was something they agreed to “in a heartbeat.”

“Our News Department had done a few stories on [Camp Heart Connection] so we were familiar with the camp and knew how many people and families it helped,” Sawyer said.

The station helps promote the cards by airing a thirty-second public service announcement that describes the cards as well as the kids who created them.

“We try to show the holiday cards, take [viewers] along for a quick visit to camp and show some of the great kids and families that they can help,” Sawyer said.

“I think we also have helped raise awareness for the Children's Cancer Connection, so that when families need help, they know [Children’s Cancer Connection is] out there for them,” he said.

This year marks the 60th year that WOI-TV has been on air, and they have been helping local charities from the beginning. “We know there are many local businesses that believe in investing in the community like we do,” Sawyer said. “And we’re always looking for a way to build a better community.”

It appears as though all their generosity and airtime has helped the cards get noticed and purchased by members of the community. “I've heard more than a few stories from viewers that have purchased the cards because they saw the public service announcement on ABC5,” Sawyer said. “That's always gratifying.”

Coconut Castaways bring sunshine to Maddy's Classic

There’s nothing like a little sunshine to brighten up the day, which is why the Coconut Castaways of Des Moines love to volunteer in a tropical style. The Coconut Castaways have collaborated with Children’s Cancer Connection for three years of sand and sun.


Tammy Hollander, former cruise director of Coconut Castaways said the group initially began working with Children’s Cancer Connection at Maddy Cunningham’s Classic Volleyball Tournament. “We were looking for volunteer opportunities and helping at a sand volleyball tournament sounded like a lot of fun,” she said.

Helping at the first tournament hit close to home for many of the Coconut Castaways when a fellow members child was diagnosed with cancer.

“Kory Ellerbeck was one of our original volunteers and his son Derek, then 3, was diagnosed with the exact same type of cancer as Maddy,” Hollander said. “That is one of the things that keeps us coming back and working hard for the cause.”

Last year was the third year of Maddy’s Classic and the collaborative effort with the Coconut Castaways. “We expanded into a silent auction and that, combined with the large number of teams, helped raise more money than the first two years combined. That's a great feeling,” Hollander said.
“[Children’s Cancer Connection] is a great organization that helps a lot of families when they need it most,” Hollander said. “We'll continue to do what we can to support them.”

Annual Golf Outing honors one, benefits many

For the past 16 years, City Carton Recycling and the Ockenfels Family Foundation have held a golf outing in tribute to a family member who died of childhood cancer.

Kathy Ockenfels, affectionately referred to as Kathy O, was the co-chair of the golf outing in 2010. “Our golf outing is in tribute to Debbie Ockenfels, a member of the Ockenfels family, who died of cancer at the age of 17,” she said.

The outing sells out every year, in both the number of people participating and the vendors present.

“I think everybody that comes [to the golf outing] has had some experience with cancer. The disease itself it a horrifying thing that we have to figure out how to cure,” Kathy O said.

In addition to honoring Debbie’s memory, the Ockenfels Family Foundation donates all of the proceeds from the annual event to the American Cancer Society and Children’s Cancer Connection.

“Because [these organizations] directly affect children within our regional area, it becomes very important to us,” Kathy O said. “City Carton Recycling and the Ockenfels Family Foundation are very committed to helping local charities.”

Director of Donor Relations at Children’s Cancer Connection, Tiffany Spinner is honored to partner with the Ockenfels Family Foundation. “They run one of the best golf outings in the state and they have made such an impact on our organization,” Tiffany said.

After the 2009 outing, the Ockenfels Family Foundation donated over $47,000 to Children’s Cancer Connection. The long-time partnership has allowed the Ockenfels to give close to $150,000 to help children and families affected by childhood cancer.
Kathy O believes that donating to Children’s Cancer Connection is a way her family can directly help those suffering from cancer. “Children’s Cancer Connection, being in Des Moines and serving children within Iowa, is just a perfect fit.”

Falcons Fighting Cancer

The girls’ basketball team at Louisa-Muscatine High School kept busy last season. On top of keeping a winning record, they chose to hold a fundraiser to benefit Children’s Cancer Connection.

On Dec. 18, 2009, the girls’ team competed against Columbus Junction in a basketball game, but the real event was “Falcons Fighting Cancer.” They sold over 300 t-shirts prior to the game, totaling over $2,600, which was donated to Children’s Cancer Connection.

Head Coach Nate Sanderson said the girls’ collectively chose Children’s Cancer Connection because it benefits those with cancer from across the state of Iowa.

The event was organized by the 2009-10 girls’ basketball team with the support of Tanya Fordyce, Louisa-Muscatine Booster Club Treasurer.

Get ready for the 2010 Photo Connection Photo Contest

Loden Maxon's photo won the
2009 Photo Connection Contest

Children’s Cancer Connection is proud to present the 2nd annual Photo Connection Photo Contest! We encourage all Children’s Cancer Connection families and volunteers to begin gathering photos for submission that tell the story of Children’s Cancer Connection.



Photos may be submitted via our website from Jan. 3—Feb. 4, 2011 and all photos must be from the 2010 calendar year to be considered.



This year there are six categories: Camp Heart Connection, Family Outings, Hospital Based, Volunteer, Survivorship and Individual Child. A more detailed list will appear on our website and the photo entry form, which will be available on our website in January.

The top three photos in each category and the overall grand prize winner will be showcased on our website and blog and mentioned in our E-Newsletter.

More information will be available as the submission dates come closer. For now, search for your favorite pictures to submit and look at our website to see last year’s winners.

For additional questions please contact Emily at: Emily@ChildrensCancerConnection.com or by phone at (515) 243-6239 ext. 1102.

5th Annual Brant's Race to benefit Children's Cancer Connection

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Learn more about the 5th Annual Brant's Race, a race in member of Brant Hamilton, which takes place each year in Earlham. This fall-themed race is a great event for families and runners alike and it also supports the programs and services of Children's Cancer Connection.

Grief support for families dealing with a loss

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This episode features guests from Children's Cancer Connection and Amanda the Panda and discusses the topics of grief and support as they relate to childhood cancer.