Support Our Kids

Focus Events

Run, Rock & Stroll
Run, Rock, & Stroll is an annual fundraising event featuring a 10K run, 5K run/walk, and 1-mile fun walk. Festivities include Kid’s Village, a carnival like atmosphere with crafts and games for all ages. Participants and spectators will also enjoy the family friendly entertainment of local musicians, clowns, and magicians throughout the event. 2010 will mark the event’s 11th Anniversary!

Holiday Card Design Collection
Children's Cancer Connection sells holiday cards designed by kids who have attended our Oncology or Sibling camps during the previous summer. This annual event helps Children's Cancer Connection raise money for programs and services throughout the year. Last year, we had a record number of sales and hope to sell out all 40,000 cards this year! Cards are sold in individual packets of 24 cards (3 each of 8 designs) or can be purchased in larger quantities for corporate sales.

Volunteer Led Fund Raising Events

Golf Outings

Danny Joe Memorial Golf Outing
The Danny Joe Memorial golf outing is held the first Friday of June at the Elmhurst Golf and Country Club in Oskaloosa, Iowa. The event is in memory of Danny Joe Cornish, the child who drew the Camp Heart Connection logo. Danny’s rainbow symbolizes the sunshine, rainbows, and love his family and friends gave to him during his battle with cancer. Danny lost his battle with cancer and his drawing was adopted as Camp Heart Connection's logo. The passion he demonstrated for life lives on through the programs offered by the organization.

City Carton
The City Carton Recycling golf outing benefits the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) children’s programs through the “Debbie Ockenfels - Kids Rock!” Foundation. Portions of the Outing proceeds are donated to “Camp Heart Connection ” - our summer camp for kids with cancer and their siblings. The Outing is held in memory of Deborah Ockenfels, daughter of City Carton Recycling founders Mort and Marcy. Deborah died of cancer at the age of 17.

Over 144 golfers, from across the United States and Canada, participate each year in this event that is held in August at the Brown Deer Golf Club in Coralville, Iowa.
Tom Best Memorial Classic
This golfing event was put together by Julie, Kevin, Keiran and Kate (Shaw) Best in 2007 to celebrate the memory of their husband and father, who passed away in December 2006 from lung cancer. Tom was always inspired by the children he passed in the hospital that were battling cancer and his family and friends connected with Children's Cancer Connection to benefit from their event. This event traditionally takes place in September at Jester Park Golf Course.

Other Events!

Catch The Spirit 5K Run
The family of Megan Koepke and Waverly Junior High School put together this annual spring event that takes place the first Wednesday in May. Megan, a Camp Heart Connection camper, lost her battle with cancer in February 2007 and her family and friends decided to put together a community event in her memory. The day features “Catch The Spirit” awards given to outstanding students of Waverly Junior High School, a keynote address to students and a community service project on the streets of Waverly. The day ends with a beautiful 5K run through the scenic river valley.

Willie’s Wagon
Willie’s Wagon is a wonderful children’s book by Quad Cities anchorman, Gary Metivier, that tracks the moves of Willie, a bored youngster who discovers the difference one can make in the lives of others. He discovers an old wagon and fixes it up and decides to give his prize to children with cancer who are stuck in the hospital. Gary has chosen to give a portion of the proceeds from his book to Children's Cancer Connection.

Metivier has also been busy visiting schools and sharing Willie’s Wagon with students. Many of the schools he has visited have chosen to do fundraising events support Camp Heart Connection.

To purchase your copy of Willie’s Wagon, or new books in the series A Hog Ate My Homework, click here!

Support a Camper Scholarship
Did you know that the hard costs of sending a child to Camp Heart Connection is $300? Children's Cancer Connection offers summer camps to children with cancer and their siblings at no cost to their families. If you would like to help send a child to camp this summer, click here to DONATE NOW!

Set up a Giving Page
It’s easy to raise money for Children's Cancer Connection! If you would like to help send a child to camp, provide activities at the hospital, or assist a family on a weekend retreat…it is as easy as 1, 2, 3! You can set up your own online giving page and forward it on to all of your family and friends. All you need is a goal to reach…and the sky is the limit!