Rockstar Buck

 

Rockstar Buck.

Warrior.

Fighter of cancer cells.

Lover of pancakes.

Wii pitcher extraordinaire.

Cardboard architect.

Master "imaginer."

Friend to Claire.

At 4 and a half years old, Buck has been battling cancer for over half of his sweet life.  At 18 months old (in September 2008), he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL).  After  an intense and lengthy treatment, he went into remission until May 2010 when he relapsed.  The cancer returned... this time in his central nervous system.  Buck spent one year receiving high dose chemo until May 2011; upon completion of chemo, he started radiation therapy which lasted all summer.  Currently, he is rocking through the first of five 10 week maintence chemo cycles.

We can't wait to follow Buck's journey, especially as he enters kindergarten next year.  We know he will be a rockstar!  For more information about Buck, visit his CaringBridge site.

Child Cancer Research and Treatment in Charlotte

"Many people in our region don't realize that Charlotte offers a model for how childhood cancer research and treatment can flourish. About 18 months ago, Carolinas HealthCare Foundation brought together a group of generous local donors to form the Carolinas Kids Cancer Research Coalition. Twelve nonprofit groups, including the Leon Levine Foundation, pledged nearly $6 million to support local cancer research at Levine Children's Hospital."

To read more, view the entire article in the Charlotte Observer, here.

We are excited for, and proud of, the work being done here in Charlotte, and are honored to be part of this caring community.

TCBY Day :: October 3

Please join us and invite all your friends.  

If you need a copy of this flyer to share with your friends, co-workers, school, etc.,  please email ashley@rohrfamilyfoundation.org or leave a request in the comments with your email address.

We would love to meet you and enjoy some tasty frozen yogurt with you.

Word Choice

As teachers, we constantly remind students to choose their words wisely, eloquently, strategically.

As parents, we consistently remind our children to choose kind words, gentle words, thoughtful words.

As adults, we are challenged daily to choose words that reflect patience, intellect, respect.

As a foundation, we must consciously choose words that reflect who we are, what we do, the purpose we hope to fulfill.  

Rohr Family Foundation is returning to its original name, Rohr Rockstars.  A simple name change that in no way changes our mission and purpose.  We look forward to nurturing the minds of children facing cancer ... one Rockstar at a time.  We hope you will join us as we share our journey, our faith, our hope.

If you or your child have kind words, encouraging words, hopeful words that you would like to share with our Rockstars, please share them with us via comments on our blog, Facebook {public group "Rohr Rockstars"}, Twitter {@RohrRockstars}, or good old fashioned snail mail {email rohrrockstars@gmail.com for address}.  Make a homemade card, decorate an index card, draw a picture to be shared with our Rockstars periodically. 

Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.  Proverbs 12:25 (NLT)

Awareness

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.  

Now that you are aware, what are you going to do?

Say a prayer?  Read a testimony?  Support a Rockstar?

Eat frozen yogurt?! 

{Stay tuned for an exciting, yummy fundraiser later this month!}

Rockstar Claire's Daddy has committed to sharing
a cancer related story/fact/video/thought 

each day this month on Claire's CaringBridge site. 

Be a ROCKSTAR, spread the word.

Rockstar Emma

This little light of mine, o! how she continues to shine!   

Emma is full of happiness, laughter, creativity, kindness, love, affection, caring.  

 Her spirit radiates peace, love, joy, grace, perseverance and most of all HOPE.

- Emma's Mom 

 Emma at Camp CARE {Cancer Ain't Really the End}; Summer 2011

Emma is one of our current Rockstars who is in remission!

Four and a half years ago, Emma was diagnosed with 

Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia {ALL}.

Now, as she enters second grade, we celebrate with her and her family.

Emma is carefree and creative, curious and caring.

As a Rockstar, Emma was given an iPad 

which she uses to supplement her learning.  

{Finding free educational apps is one of her specialties!}

Emma has a heart for animals and has even learned to

take care of a "pet" turtle by utilizing her personal iPad!  

She put together a "turtle box" to create a home for a turtle that 

keeps wanting to be found in the woods behind Emma's house!

Emma is clearly committed to being a lifelong learner.

Over the summer, she worked with a private tutor, 

but, unprompted and on her own accord, 

she researched and wrote a report about caring for a potbelly pig.  

She presented her report to her parents bright and early one morning

in hopes of persuading them to get her a potbelly pig of her own!

What a smart little Rockstar! 

We wish you a rockin' year in second grade, Emma!

Let hope continue to flow from your sweet spirit.

You are an inspiration to all of us!

 

Rock On Hope

Written by David Britt for

 the Rohr Family Foundation.

"Rock on" Rockstars!

Back to School

Back-to-school shopping. 

{The perfect "first day" outfit.}

Brand new school supplies. 

{Sharp pencils, unbroken crayons, crisp paper}.

Reunions with old friends.  

Hugs from favorite teachers. 

First conversations with new classmates.

{Embracing the old and welcoming the new.}

Anxiety, anticipation, excitement. 

{Restless sleep on the eve before the first day.}

Such are the milestones in the life of a school-age student.

{Right-of-passage, social, emotional milestones 

that we all remember fondly.}

You may have had your first day today.

Or you might be sending your baby off for their first day tomorrow.

Maybe you remember stepping on to the school bus

for your monumental ride years ago.

We are committed to nurturing our Rockstars 

and giving them back this piece of their childhood.

To connect with friends, and be inspired by teachers.  

To experience school {during treatment} 

through the innovative and cutting edge approach 

of creating virtual classrooms.

The lesson plans are written; 

"class" should begin shortly.

Thank You Smarty Pants

A BIG thank you to Charlotte Smarty Pants for sharing 

our 500 Penny Challenge with its readers.  

Check out the full article {as well as Sully and Riley's video} here!

All the Smarties are doing it! 

Donate your 500 pennies today.

Rockstar Zoe'

Meet our newest little Rockstar, Zoe'.

Isn't she such a precious diva?!

Zoe' is your average rising first grader;

She loves hanging out with her friends,

loves arts and crafts, and the girl knows fashion!

You wouldn't guess it because of her smile, 

but Zoe' is fighting her second battle with cancer.

  

In November 2009, she was diagnosed with Wilms tumor, a type of kidney cancer that occurs in children; treatment included the removal of one kidney as well as chemotherapy.  In May 2011, Zoe' and her family found out that the cancer had resurfaced in two spots in her lungs; a stem cell transplant was necessary and additional chemotherapy is now underway.  Still Zoe' rocks on.  

Because of her treatment plan, it is estimated that Zoe' will miss the first 3-4 months of first grade with her friends.  While this will be a difficult time for Zoe', RFF is excited to walk beside her and her family.  We invite you to check out Zoe's story on her CaringBridge site.  

Please pray for her strength, her sass, and her sparkle.

Going Viral

It is our dream to make this video go viral.

Act on it, share it, and love it!

We did! And we do!

So Good

“I believe that God is love, 

Jesus is a teacher and a friend, 

people are inherently good, 

there is truth I know {and more I will know},  

service is required of me to live my faith, 

and in the end all will be well.”

 -Rev. Elizabeth M. Strong

In the last few weeks, RFF has felt love.

Acts of service and an outpouring of pennies

have taught us that people are good.

So good.

And we are so thankful for each and every one of you.

Empowering Rockstars

The Rohr Family Foundation empowers 

children facing cancer to reach their academic goals 

and to continue building a foundation for lifelong learning. 

Are you ready to nurture, educate, elevate, sustain,

inspire, enrich, and empower our Rockstars?

Like us, do you believe that community advocacy and collaboration 

can help to support literacy and cultivate life long learners

throughout the Rockstars' journey to fight cancer?

Your 500 pennies can help!

Or you might want to become a Groupie!

For more information or specific questions, 

please leave a comment below,

or email us at trish@rohrfamilyfoundation.org.

500 Pennies

{A quick introduction :: I am a wife, a mommy, a teacher, a friend, and a Christian.  I love to write ... and I have a newly discovered hobby:: photography!  Since my son was born 20 months ago, my husband and I started a blog to keep our {long distance} friends and family connected as our little man grows and grows and grows!  As of late, my heart has begun to beat wildly for Rohr Family Foundation.  I was amazed and intrigued to learn about RFF through the founder, Trish, a co-worker of mine at CCDS; after hearing about Trish and Eric's selflessness and desire to serve the kids {on a foundational, educational level} who are fighting cancer, I knew I had to help in some way.  Trish was also able to help and honor some sweet friends of ours whose 2 year old daughter, Claire, is also fighting cancer.  Two weeks ago, I took on the blogging responsibilities for RFF, and I must say that I am IN LOVE!}

Remember Sully and Riley {and their sweet friend Abby Scott -pictured far left}?  Two little kids that had a big impact in our community and in my heart.  They had an idea, they presented it to their parents, and after all parties accepted the challenge, they made it happen!  The kids raised over $500 from their produce and lemonade stands...in just a few hours!  That is over 50,000 pennies!  Along with a matching donation from a generous friend, they gifted RFF over $1,000... or over 100,000 pennies.  Sure there were $20 bills, crumpled $1 bills, neatly written crisp checks, but I promise you, there were prized pennies dropped in their donation jar as well.

In celebration of my 500th blog post here, and in support of the Rohr Family Foundation and the Rockstars they support, I am going to ask a favor worth 500 pennies ... a penny for every single one of my silly, serious, wordless, heartfelt thoughts {don't worry, many more thoughts, praises, and introductions will be disclosed here too!} ... a penny for every single future Rockstar out there that we have yet to meet. 

Sully and Riley, together, donated over 50,000 pennies.  Now it is your turn.

What I am asking of you, is to donate 500 pennies {just $5} ... or more to Rohr Family Foundation. Click on all the links, read the RFF blog, educate yourself about the mission, but know that I believe in this cause BIG time.  Maybe it is the mommy in me ::  the teacher in me :: the Christian in me, but seriously, this foundation is going to make a HUGE impact and I promise you that your 500 pennies {in exchange for my 500 thoughts!!!} will be appreciated and used directly to impact a little life that is fighting cancer.

Please donate here:

... or click on the "Donate" button on the left side bar.

Please leave a comment below to let me know you donated ... or if you'd like more ways to help.  Thank you for your support!

{Enjoy some sweet, silly pictures of my little man from my personal blog; 
Alekzander says "thane-coo" for donating and coming along for the journey!}

Alekzander's "treat" from the produce stand {courtesy of Sully}.  

Unwashed, unpeeled ... but he loved it!

The kids were concerned that he was eating it fresh out of the ground, 

but I promised them that he has had worse things in his mouth.

First taste of lemonade {courtesy of Riley}.  And still hanging on to his carrot.

If you look closely, there is a carrot 'crumb' on his collar!

James Guptill Rocks!

James Guptill rode in Charlotte's 24 Hours of Booty

in honor of Eric Rohr, father, founder, and inspiration 

behind Rohr Family Foundation.  

James also sported a Rohr's Rockstar sticker

in honor of all of our Rockstars.

Thank you, James!  You rock!

Little Kids :: Big Impact

                                                                   photo by t. rohr

Sully, Age 6

                                                                   photo by t. rohr

Riley, Age 5

On Saturday, Sully Hill and Riley O'Donnell opened up for business.  Sully and Riley ran a fresh produce and lemonade stand to exclusively benefit the Rohr Family Foundation and the kids we serve.  After several hours in the hot sun, everyone remained helpful and happy.  The kids helped pour lemonade, picked out veggies, and talked excitedly to their customers.  They were happy to share information about the foundation by passing out Rockstar stickers and other RFF materials.  

The kids raised over $500 from their produce and lemonade stands.  {Such a big, big number from two little entrepreneurs!}  A generous matching donation was also made by Marty Snider to bring the total money raised to just over $1,000!  

Rockstar dads, Chris Hill and Sean O'Donnell, were the master carpenters behind the kids' adorable, homemade stands.  Thank you to the Hill family and the O'Donnell family for your hard work and support and for having a vision to help RFF! Thank you to all of the customers who came out and donated to RFF.  And a BIG thank you to Marty for the matching donation. 

                                                               photo by a.swistak

                                                            

Remember, no matter how little you are, you can make a big impact!

Charlotte Locals :: We Need Your Support

Buy fresh fruits and veggies.

9 a.m. Saturday, July 30, 2011

Proceeds support Rohr Family Foundation and Rohr's Rockstars!

 

From Arboretum, go 1.5 miles south on Providence Road, 

left onto Providence Church Rd (if you get to McKee you went too far) 

Sarah Hall entrance is on the left past the cemetery, 

we will be set up somewhere in that vicinity.

Rockstar Claire

 A classic, yummy post-cupcake smile from Claire

Sweet Claire is our newest and youngest Rockstar.  She is gracefully rockin' through Phase One and Phase Two of her Rockstar Journey.  She will complete her third round of chemo by the end of the month, and continues to wear a smile on her beautiful face.

Two months ago, at 21-months old, Claire was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, a cancer that affects the body’s sympathetic nervous system, and treatment began immediately. At less than 2-years old, Claire’s strength and sweet demeanor has amazed her Mommy, Daddy, and doctors.  Claire prefers to fight cancer with smiles, laughter, snuggles and sweet squeezes for her loved ones.  She makes a new friend wherever she goes; everyone LOVES to love on Claire!  As her family settled into a new routine including chemo, long days at the clinic, and watching Claire consume hundreds of pancakes {her favorite food as of late!}, their faith has remained rock solid.

The Ratliffs are facing this journey with family and friends, a prayerful Army, and the unconditional, unmistakable love of God. He is already visibly at work here in Charlotte, NC and all around the United States as Claire’s story is woven deeply and passionately into our hearts and our prayers.  We hope that you will become part of Claire’s Army and join us in prayer for Claire and her family.

Follow Claire’s journey at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/claireratliff
 

 

Claire's Rockstar Night with the Rohr's

Pretty Mommy :: Emily, Precious Claire, and Rockstar Founder :: Trish

Claire was presented with a Color Nook so that she could easily bring her favorite "books" to the hospital, to the clinic, and enjoy them at home.  This Rockstar LOVES to read!

Did you know that reading to babies and toddlers is, perhaps, the single most important first step to take to ensure future academic success?  For more information, go here and here and here!

 Within minutes, Rockstar Claire knew how to use her new Color Nook!

Be a Groupie

To support Rohr Family Foundation and our Rockstars, there are several ways to help.

1.  Be a Groupie and give.

Rohr Family Foundation Rockstar Giving Levels

{Donate now by clicking on the "Donate" button on the left sidebar} 

Groupie up to $50

Silver Album Groupie $51-$100

Gold Album Groupie $101-$250

Platinum Album Groupie $251-$500

Grammy Winning Groupie $501-$750

World Tour Groupie $751 +

2.  Volunteer your time and talents.

Are you a tutor who can donate your time and services to one of our Rockstars? {We need your expertise!}

Do you want to build Toolboxes for our Rockstars? {We need your hands!}

Are you a Rockstar Rookie?  {We need your energy!}

3.  Raise funds.

From lemonade stands to wine tastings, from Boy Scouts service projects to neighborhood yard sales, no event is too small; no amount raised is too little.  {We can't wait to hear your ideas.}

4.  Spread the word.

Do you have media connections?  Are you a social media junkie?  Spread the word about RFF.  Share our blog, "like" us on facebook {Rohr Family Foundation}, and tell all your friends.

5.  Pray.

Pray for our foundation to grow and change the lives of the children facing cancer here in Charlotte, North Carolina; pray for steadfastness, creativeness, and resourcefulness for the Rohr family and friends.  Pray for our Rockstars complete and perfect recovery; pray for their families :: for their strength and perseverance.  Make joyful noise with your prayers and share them with us on our facebook wall or here {below in comments!}.

 

Thank you in advance for your support and prayers.  We love you all!  

Contact Trish at trish@rohrfamilyfoundation.org if you would like to volunteer, start fund raising, or if you have additional questions!

A Rockstar's Journey

To date, Rohr Family Foundation {RFF} has identified and begun supporting three Rockstars.  While their journeys, personalities, and circumstances are all unique, they have all proven that they are fighters {miracles!} and  are 100% worthy of being called a "Rockstar."  

RFF, in its commitment to support the Rockstars' educational needs from their diagnosis through their high school graduation, has recognized four critical phases of support.  Each phase will offer individualized support and services tailored to the student's specific learning needs in order to encourage a successful life-long learner.

Phase One ::  Diagnosis and Hospitalization

Each Rockstar will receive an age appropriate Rockstar Toolbox designed to supplement the educational needs and skill development for children from Pre-Kindergarten through 4th grade.  Each Toolbox includes a workbook designed to cover national educational standards for skills and curriculum.  These Toolboxes can be used to create, learn, distract, explore, and entertain during long days in the hospital or clinic.

Phase Two :: Homebound and Continued Treatment

A technology-based learning device such as an iPad or Color Nook (according to age, development, and dexterity) will be made available to the Rockstar if appropriate.  These devices can be used while the student is at home, recovering between treatments, or while the student is back in the hospital or clinic, receiving additional treatment.  During this phase, if applicable, an Indiviualized Educational Program {IEP} will be written in order to facilitate a seamless transition to Phase Three.  

Phase Three :: Re-entry

Rockstars will return to a formal learning environment during this phase; their re-entry will be supported by RFF in the following ways:  the Rockstars will receive emotional counseling, in-class services, Ed Psych reports, and a representative from RFF will serve as a liaison between the Rockstar's parents and school representatives/teachers/IEP team members.

Phase Four :: Continuation 

Through 12th grade, Rockstars will continually receive support from RFF as needed.  While the physical effects of chemotherapy will long be gone from the Rockstar's body, it is has been speculated that there are latent cognitive and developmental effects.  As such, Rockstars will receive Ed Psych reports every two years; RFF will receive, compile, and study the data, as well as act as a resource and advocate for the Rockstar and his/her family. 

We look forward to introducing you to the Rockstars and providing ways for you to help support their journeys.