Children’s Cancer Association 13th Annual (Super) Hero Gala Hits Million Mark

James Mercer, The Shins, Stephanie Schneiderman, CCA Founder and CEO, Regina Ellis, Patrick Lamb, and Amy Maxwell

Portland, Sept. 21, 2013. A superhero themed gala had super-sized results as organizers proclaimed, “CCA’s League of Extraordinary Friends unleash a force of goodness for seriously ill children and teens.” James Mercer of the The Shins, Stephanie Schneiderman, CCA Founder and CEO, Regina Ellis, Patrick Lamb, and Amy Maxwell took the stage to celebrate. (Photo credit, Michael Gary) Portland-based Children’s Cancer Association (CCA) celebrated hitting $1,000,000 for the first-time ever. “For one magical night, the Portland Art Museum was converted into the Hall of Justice and welcomed more than 600 honored super-powered guests,” the nonprofit reported.

Kristen and Shane Schweitzer, 2013 Hero Gala Presenting Sponsors
Angela Sheffield and CCA Ambassador Board Chair, CS Sheffield, and
Wesley Sheffield

Patrick McCreery, VP, General Manager, FOX 12, and CCA Communications Director, Diana Szymczak

CCA Ambassador Board Member, Aaron Cooper, Innovation Design Director,
Nike, Inc., Rob Stone, Co-CEO, cornerstone/The Fader, Lauren Gonzales,
Megan Cooper, and CCA Founding Board Chair, Clare Hamill, Vice
President and COO, Nike Affilates, Nike, Inc.

CCA Ambassador Board Chair, Kristin Duval, Regional Sales Manager, PacificSource Health Plans, and CCA Founder and CEO, Regina Ellis

The highlight item of this year’s auction was a private dinner with, and concert by, kd Lang and Black Prairie for 50 guests. The appeal raised money to support CCA’s innovative programs that serve thousands of seriously ill children, teens, and their families locally, and reach across the nation, and will fund:

New mobile music carts, instruments, and technology for MusicRx®, CCA’s flagship in-hospital music medicine program which serves six area pediatric healthcare facilities, including Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel and Doernbecher Children’s Hospital
Technology to expand MyMusicRx.org, the online extension of MusicRx
Family retreats at the Alexandra Ellis Caring Cabin™ in Pacific City, OR
Wishes and creating unique life experiences through the Link program
Chemo Pal® Mentor Matches for kids and teens undergoing treatment
MusicRx expansion into the pediatric Emergency Room at Randall Children’s Hospital
The Printing of CCA’s Kid’s Cancer Pages, a nationally-distributed comprehensive resource guide for families with seriously ill children
And, more!

CCA Board Chair, Andy Lytle, Division Vice President, Majestic Fine
Wines, and his wife, Mary

Chemo Pal Mentor, Brian, and Joe

CCA Board Member, Lisa Thompson, and CCA VP, Development, Dave Schaeffer

Holley DeShaw, Melissa Maag, CCA Ambassador Board Member, Allison Clarke, Kirsti Holley, Antje Fimmel, and Kendra Matthews

Brad Durham, CCA Board Member, Katherine Durham, VP, Marketing & Communications, The Standard, and Paul Gulick, CCA Board Chair Emeritus, Co-Founder, Infocus, Founder, Clarity Visual Systems

Gerardo Carucci, GM Brasil World Cup, Nike, Inc., Tancredi Vitale, Senior Director, Global Nike Sportswear Football Apparel, CCA Board Member, Andrea Corradini, Senior Director, Emerging Markets Running Merchandising, Nike, Inc., Cholee Thompson, Owner, Ryan Artists, Greg Thompson, VP, Global Nike Sportswear Footwear, and, Emanuele Granalli, Seniro Director, Brasil Merchandising, Nike, Inc.

The grand finale!

From CCA:

This event was made possible by presenting sponsor, the Sheffield Family, through a matching grant by The Eranda Foundation, and through the sponsorship of other generous individuals, including: Andy and Mary Lytle, Jeff and Malia Owens, The Standard, Momentus Insurance Brokerage Inc., Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation, Regence, Randall Children’s Hospital, USB, HealthNet, Genenetech, Beecher Carlson, Reliable Credit, Cresna, Fred Meyer, Columbia Distributing, Opus Events Agency, CenturyLink, Cigna, ClubSport, D6 Inc., FOX 12 Oregon, The Fuerst Family, Geffen Mesher, Gentech Dentist, Icebreaker, J&M Homes, LAIKA, Moda Health, Portland Trail Blazers, Skanska, Target, and The Clymb.

The Children’s Cancer Association didn’t start with a foundation, it started with a family. One who faced its own battle with serious pediatric illness almost two decades ago in Portland, OR. From that experience came a passionate commitment and focus: To deliver the resources, the friendship and the healing power of music to families facing the same challenges.

Unlike many organizations dedicated to the worthy goal of someday finding a cure for cancer, CCA is all about today. We specialize on the moment, delivering immediate help to kids and teens facing life-threatening illness. When seriously ill children and their families need more than medicine, CCA’s innovative programs create joy one moment at a time.

For more information about the Children’s Cancer Association, contact Diana Szymczak, CCA Communications Director, at (503) 200-5115 or dszymczak@joyrx.org.

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.