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L to R - Kyle Wick, DFW Iowa Club President and Board Member; Kathryn Copple, TeamConnor Executive Director; Amy Hicklin - DFW Iowa Club Board Member and Jerry Fisher - DFW Iowa Club Board Member

The Dallas/Fort Worth Iowa Club hosted a special event, "Grappling Childhood Cancer with Gable," to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the University of Iowa Alumni Association. Former Iowa wrestling coach Dan Gable was the keynote speaker. The DFW Iowa Club selected TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation to be the beneficiary of the event and raised $8,000 for TeamConnor. 

Childhood cancer is the number one disease killer of children; yet the National Cancer Institute allocates less than four percent of its budget to pediatric cancer research.

TeamConnor hosts events throughout the year to raise funds for childhood cancer research, including the Splash Out Childhood Cancer, July 10; National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Concert, September 16; Color Me Green 5K/10K, October 7; and the Northwestern Mutual Clay Shoot, November 2.  In addition, TeamConnor’s national Coins for Kids with Cancer program raises funds across the country to help fund childhood cancer research.

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Sundance Square Movie Nights returns this summer with five fun movies on the schedule. Returning for the 10th year, Sundance Square will kick off this series beginning June 15th and will run through July 13th on Thursday evenings.

Movies scheduled to be shown include:

June 15: Princess Bride

June 22: Back to the Future 

June 29: Ghostbusters (1984)

July 6: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

July 13: Grease

Showtime is at dusk (approximately 8:45 p.m.) on the Sundance Square Plaza stage in downtown Fort Worth. Moviegoers are invited to bring blankets or chairs for seating in the plaza. Parking is always free weekdays after 5 p.m. in Sundance Square’s parking garages. For locations, visit sundancesquare.com/parking.

“Sundance Square has been hosting free movie nights for the last 10 years,” said Tracy Gilmour, marketing director for Sundance Square.  “This has always been a great event for families to come and enjoy a free night at the movies while making lifelong memories.” 

Beverages will be available for purchase in the plaza during the movies and restaurants will be open throughout the evening. By visiting Sundance Square establishments, these events will continue to be offered to guests for free.   Coolers are not permitted and Sundance Square Plaza is smoke free.

Visitors are asked to leave all pets in the comfort and safety of their home due to the large crowds, heat, as well as abrupt and loud movie noises.

Sundance Square is hosting a live music series, Bands on the Bricks, every Thursday night in May.  This free event will run through May 25 in Sundance Square Plaza. The concerts begin at 6:00 pm in Sundance Square.

Plaza Palooza, a free two-day festival produced by Sundance Square, will take center stage June 2 and June 3 with a line-up of music, visual artists and other interesting entertainment adults of all ages will enjoy.  For more information about Bands on the Bricks, Plaza Palooza and movie nights, please visit sundancesquare.com.

Sundance Square

Sundance Square is a vibrant, award-winning entertainment district spanning 35 blocks in downtown Fort Worth. The multi-use development attracts more than 10 million visitors each year.  The one-acre outdoor plaza features restaurants, shops, fountains, a stage, four 32-foot umbrellas, and covered seating. For more information about Sundance Square, visit sundancesquare.com or follow the business and entertainment development on Facebook.com/sundancesquare or Twitter@sundancesquare. Commercial and residential leasing information can be found at www.ssqmgmt.com.

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Hawaiian Falls will offer free admission to all military personnel at its Texas water parks in Garland, The Colony, Mansfield, Roanoke and Waco from 10:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. Memorial Day weekend – Saturday, May 27; Sunday, May 28; or Monday, May 29.  All immediate family members can purchase their day pass for a discounted price of $21.99.

“We’re so thankful for the brave servicemen and women who sacrifice so much to protect our freedoms,” said Hawaiian Falls CEO Clint Hill. “Because of their vigilance, we can enjoy a fun, carefree summer with family and friends. We’re not going to bore them with speeches or pomp and ceremony. We just want to provide them a day to relax and have fun at any of our water parks.”

To participate, individuals just need to show a valid military ID at the ticket window. This free admission applies to one individual admission for a military member on
Saturday, May 27; Sunday, May 28; or Monday, May 29, 2017 only and cannot be combined with any other offers.  


Celebrating 15 years of bringing families closer together, Hawaiian Falls operates water parks in Garland, The Colony, Mansfield, Roanoke and Waco. The water parks will open to the public 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 27th for the 2017 summer season. Day passes are $28.99 for guests 48-inches and taller; $21.99 for guests under 48-inches tall; and $21.99 for guests 55 years of age and older. Season passholders are always allowed into the park 30 minutes before the gates open to the public. More info at hfalls.com or facebook.com/hfalls


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TECHROVA Enrichment Club empower elementary and middle school students to raise money for non-profit organizations through math, science, geography and language arts contests.

Joy Cruse, founder of the Dallas-based TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation, recently spoke to TECHROVA members about the work that TeamConnor does to support childhood cancer research. 

“Connor loved math and science,” said Joy Cruse. “Connor was especially interested in the space program. He once said, ‘Mom, if we can put a man on the moon, then surely we can find a cure for cancer, right?’ We promised Connor we would fight for a cure so other children wouldn’t have to endure what he did.”

Joy was pregnant with her fourth child in 2005 when she took four-year-old Connor to a Dallas emergency room with what she thought was appendicitis. When the doctors diagnosed stage four neuroblastoma, she was stunned.

After finding the cancer had spread to his bones and tumors were wrapped around his spine and growing in his abdomen and around his heart, the prognosis was very grim. Connor fought hard and actually beat neuroblastoma, but a secondary cancer caused by the radiation used to treat his tumors proved fatal. In July 2009, Connor died at the age of eight.

TeamConnor is dedicated to raising awareness and funding research projects to find a cure for all childhood cancers. The organization has raised more than $2 million for childhood cancer research. 

TECHROVA chose TeamConnor as one of their non-profit recipients and recently donated $2,000 to the organization.

TECHROVA organizes clubs in math, science, geography and language arts that are run by middle and high school student volunteers. Sai Abhijit Pabbisetty, Saket Muktapuram, Sahiti Pydimarri, Samhita Kamala Jalasutram, Rohit Anantha and Aneesh Madgula are volunteer teachers.  Each is an eighth grade student who was selected based on their academic performance in the specific subject areas they teach. The student teachers are all in their school’s Gifted and Talented program and are National Junior Honorary Society members. 

The current year program includes the Math Club for 3rd to 5th grades, Science Club for 3rd to 5th grades and Language Arts Club for 3rd to 5th grades. TECHROVA participates in the CML Math, CML Science, CML National Language Arts League and Math League national contests each year.  

Childhood cancer is the number one disease killer of children; yet the National Cancer Institute allocates less than four percent of its budget to pediatric cancer research.

TeamConnor hosts events throughout the year to raise funds for childhood cancer research, including the III Forks Golf Classic and Auction Dinner, April 30 – May 1, 2017; Splash Out Childhood Cancer, July 10; National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Concert, September 16; Color Me Green 5K/10K, October 7; and the Northwestern Mutual Clay Shoot, November 2.  In addition, TeamConnor’s national Coins for Kids with Cancer program raises funds in schools, churches, offices and organizations across the country to help fund childhood cancer research.

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Fox 4 evening news anchor Steve Eagar, will serve as Honorary Chair for the 13th Annual III Forks Golf Classic presented by Northwestern Mutual – Dallas on April 30 – May 1, 2017.  The two-day event kicks off with a celebratory dinner as well as a live and silent auction on Sunday evening, April 30, at III Forks Steakhouse in Dallas.  On Monday, May 1, 240 golfers will gather at Gleneagles Country Club in Plano to compete on the Kings and Queens courses.  

The III Forks Golf Classic is ranked as one of the top grossing golf tournaments in Dallas-Fort Worth by the Dallas Business Journal. Last year, the event raised over $547,950.

“We could not be more thrilled to have one of the top news anchors in Dallas join us in our fight to raise money to support childhood cancer research,” said Kathryn Copple, Executive Director of Dallas-based TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation.   

“Steve Eagar has a wonderful sense of humor, while reporting the simple facts in the highly successful Fox 4 News segment called the “Viewers Voice”.  With Eagar’s support, we hope to increase awareness of the critical need for more funding, better treatment protocols, and eventually cures for childhood cancers.”

TeamConnor has donated more than $2 million in grants to the top research hospitals in the United States conducting cutting-edge research of childhood cancers. 

In addition to funding research, TeamConnor supports Art Box Programs at Children’s Health in Dallas and Cook Children’s in Fort Worth. These programs outfits kids going through marrow transplant and in isolation for 30 days or more with activities specifically geared towards their interests. Kids receive items such as paints, crayons, coloring books, puzzles, books, and games to express themselves while going through treatment. 

Every year, more than 12,500 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer in the United States. Childhood cancer is the number one disease killer of children; yet, the budget of the National Cancer Institute allocates less than four percent of its funds to pediatric cancer research. TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation is dedicated to raising awareness and funding research and treatment programs to find a cure for all childhood cancers.  

TeamConnor hosts several events throughout the year to raise funds for childhood cancer research, including the III Forks Golf Classic and Auction Dinner on April 30 – May 1; Splash Out Childhood Cancer on July 10; National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Concert and Prayer Vigil in September; Color Me Green 5K/10K and Caterpillar Dash on October 7 at Frisco Square; and the Northwestern Mutual Clay Shoot on November 2.

In addition, TeamConnor’s national program, Coins for Kids with Cancer raises funds in schools, churches, offices and organizations across the country to help fund childhood cancer research.

For more information on how to impact the lives of those affected by childhood cancer, please visit teamconnor.org or find us at Facebook.com/TeamConnor.

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The Dallas Cowboys are partnering with TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation, Be The Match and Children’s HealthSMfor the Be A Star, Save A Life marrow donor drive Saturday, February 18th from 10 A.M. – 2 P.M. 

Thousands of people diagnosed every year with blood cancer and blood diseases need a marrow transplant to survive.  By joining the Be The Match Registry® anyone can help save a life. 

The Be A Star, Save A Life registry drive will take place at The Star Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters, 1 Cowboys Way, Frisco, TX, 75034.  Joining the registry requires a sample of cells, collected by swabbing the inside of the cheek. Be The Match Registry keeps this sample to compare specific protein markers, called HLA markers, with markers of patients who need a bone marrow transplant. Doctors search Be The Match Registry to find donors with HLA markers that match those of their patients. By joining the registry, you are taking the first step to being the cure for patients with blood cancers like leukemia and other marrow diseases.

To be eligible for the Be A Star, Save A Life marrow drive, you must be between 18 - 44 years old and commit to donating to any patient in need. If you match a patient in need, there are two ways to donate. One way is called PBSC (peripheral blood stem cell) donation. It involves a non-surgical, outpatient procedure called apheresis. The donor receives a drug for 5 days prior to donation that increases the number of cells in the bloodstream. The cells are then collected during donation. Donors are typically back to their daily routine in 1 - 2 days.  A second way is via marrow donation. It is a surgical, outpatient procedure that takes place under anesthesia in a hospital operating room. While the donor is under, doctors collect marrow from the back of the pelvic bone. Donors are typically back to their daily routine within 2 - 7 days. The patient’s doctor will choose the donation method best for the patient.

For more information visit www.DallasCowboys.com/MarrowDrive.

About TeamConnor

TeamConnor hosts events throughout the year to raise funds for childhood cancer research, including the III Forks Golf Classic April 30 – May 1; Splash Out Childhood Cancer July 13; National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Concert and Prayer Vigil in September; Color Me Green 5K/10K and Caterpillar Dash at Frisco Square in October; and the Northwestern Mutual Clay Shoot in November.  In addition, TeamConnor’s national Coins for Kids with Cancer program raises funds in schools, churches, offices and organizations across the country. 

About Children’s Health?

Children’s Health? is the eighth-largest pediatric health care provider in the nation and the leading pediatric health care system in North Texas, providing a full spectrum of health care services — from daily wellness and primary care to specialty visits and critical care. Holding eight disease-specific care certifications from The Joint Commission, Children’s Health has been consistently named one of the nation’s top pediatric providers by U.S. News & World Report. The Children’s Health system includes Children’s Medical Center Dallas, as well as Children’s Medical Center Plano, Our Children’s House inpatient rehabilitation hospital, multiple specialty centers, Children’s Health Pediatric Group primary care practices, rehabilitation facilities, home health, physician services and the Children’s Medical Center Research Institute at UT Southwestern.

Every year, more than 12,500 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer in the United States. Childhood cancer is the number one disease killer of children, yet the budget of the National Cancer Institute allocates less than four percent of its funds to pediatric cancer research. TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation is dedicated to raising awareness and funding research and treatment programs to find a cure for all childhood cancers.  

For more information on how to impact the lives of those affected by childhood cancer, please visit teamconnor.org or find us at Facebook.com/TeamConnor.

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TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation wrapped-up 2016 by awarding more than $272,000 to six hospitals across the country to support cutting-edge research for childhood cancers.  Hospitals receiving the grants included Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Seattle Children’s Hospital & Research Foundation, UT Southwestern Medical Center, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Children’s Health Dallas and Cook Children’s in Fort Worth.

“We are committed to funding research for childhood cancers at some of the best research centers in the country,” said Joy Cruse, founder of Dallas-based TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation. “Thanks to our generous donors, TeamConnor was able to give 57% more than last year. Despite being one of the leading causes of deaths among children, childhood cancer receives very little government funding for research.  Therefore, if better treatment protocols and cures are to be found, it will take significant private and corporate support to fund the research.”

Dr. Michael Hogarty, M.D., with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia was awarded $100,000 for “Targeting the Suppressive Neuroblastoma Microenvironment to Improve Anti-GD2 Directed Immunotherapy.” Dr. Hogarty’s preclinical study defines difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) exposure to assess tumor characteristics that predict response, showing how the immune system fights neuroblastoma cells.  The Anti-GD2 therapy improves survival and increases anti-tumor activity.

TeamConnor awarded a $75,673 grant to support Dr. Todd Cooper and Dr. Katherine Tarlock of Seattle Children’s Hospital & Research Foundation.  Their study focuses on, “A Phase 1 study of crenolanib in combination with chemotherapy for children with relapsed/refractory FLT3-Mutated AML.”

In conjunction with Kevin’s Ewing Sarcoma Fund, TeamConnor awarded a $50,000 grant to Dr. James Amatruda, MD, PhD of UT Southwestern Medical Center to study “developing targeted treatments for Ewing and Ewing-like Sarcoma.”

In addition to our grant cycle, TeamConnor created a new DFW Community Choice Grant for 2016. The Dallas-Fort Worth community chose the University of North Texas Health Science Center for the $26,500 award, which benefited Dr. Mathew & Dr. Bowman’s Study: “childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL): evaluation of a novel biomarker and immunotherapy target.”

“Funding research is imperative to moving closer to cures in the childhood cancer arena,” said Kathryn Copple, executive director of TeamConnor. “TeamConnor is blessed to have numerous supporters who want to make a difference.  It is through our volunteers, corporate sponsors and donations that we are able to award numerous grants each year to childhood cancer research.   TeamConnor has raised more than $2 million in its mission to find cures for childhood cancers and we will continue this fight until cures for all childhood cancers are realized.”

In addition to funding these research projects, TeamConnor also was pleased to donate $10,000 to Children’s Health in Dallas and $10.000 to Cook Children’s in Fort Worth to fund the Art Box Program. TeamConnor provides resources for hospitals to create personalized boxes of materials, including paints, canvases, crayons, markers, coloring books, ipads, and other items for kids to be creative while going through life-saving stem cell transplants in the hospital. These treatments typically result in extended, isolated hospital stays and the Art Box Program drastically improves a patient’s overall experience.

Every year, more than 12,500 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer in the United States. Childhood cancer is the number one disease killer of children, yet the budget of the National Cancer Institute allocates less than four percent of its funds to pediatric cancer research. TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation is dedicated to raising awareness and funding research and treatment programs to find cures for all childhood cancers.  

TeamConnor hosts events throughout the year to raise funds for childhood cancer research, including the III Forks Golf Classic and Auction Dinner, April 30th – May 1, 2017; Splash Out Childhood Cancer in July; National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Concert in September; Color Me Green 5K/10K October 7; and the Northwestern Mutual Clay Shoot November 2.  In addition, TeamConnor’s national Coins for Kids with Cancer program raises funds in schools, churches, offices and organizations across the country to help fund childhood cancer research.

For more information on how to impact the lives of those affected by childhood cancer, please visit teamconnor.org or find us at Facebook.com/TeamConnor.

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Plano East Varsity Baseball assistant coach Scott Castleman (L) looks on as Head Coach Jordan Byrd addresses the Plano East Summer Baseball Clinic.

The Plano East Baseball program is offering a Winter Baseball Clinic for boys currently in grades K – 6 on Saturday, February 4 at Plano East Senior High School Baseball Field, at 3000 Los Rios Boulevard in Plano.

The clinic for kindergarten thru third grade students will be 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Fourth thru sixth graders will be 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. The cost is $25 per student, which includes all clinic as well as a t-shirt. Non-Plano residents add $4.

The clinic will focus on fundamental baseball skills such as fielding, hitting, and base running. All activities will be led by Plano East Baseball players. Participants will also have the opportunity to meet the coaches and hear about the opportunities available in high school baseball.
 
Registration through the City of Plano is available on-line through Friday, February 3. You will need a Family Account PIN and an Individual ID Number, both of which can be obtained by calling a Plano recreation center (Liberty 972-769-4234, Muehlenbeck 972-769-4404, or Carpenter 972-208-8087). Once you have obtained these account numbers, go to www.planoparks.org and click on register here. Use the appropriate course code (Grades K – 3 #191010 – Grades 3 – 6 #191013) On the day of the clinic, the student can be registered via a phone call to a recreation center.

Athletic wear and shoes with baseball pants or sweatpants are preferred. Dress appropriately for the weather. Clinic will be held rain or shine and will meet in the indoor facility during inclement weather. No refunds will be given due to weather. Bring a bat and glove with all personal items marked with a name.

A parent or guardian of a student already registered must sign a waiver before the student can participate in the clinic. Waivers will be available at check-in on the day of the clinic. A parent must accompany the student to check-in at the concession stand west of the baseball field. Check-in begins 30 minutes prior to the clinic start.
 
The Plano East Baseball program is under the direction of Head Coach Jordan Byrd, Assistant Varsity Coach Scott Cattleman, Junior Varsity Head Coach Michael Martinez, Assistant Junior Varsity Coach John Lubow, McMillen Head Coach Cole McLean, McMillen Assistant Coach DeMarcus Mathes, Williams Head Coach Shane Kevlar and Williams Assistant Coach Efe Osawemwenze.  For more information, go to planoeastbaseball.com

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Dallas Cowboys cornerback, Leon McFadden took time during the holidays to help collect gifts for children in the hospital. McFadden joined Northwestern Mutual and TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation for a Santa Party where he accepted new toys that were donated to Children’s Health Dallas. McFadden is passionate about raising funds and awareness for all cancers, as several members of his family have battled cancer.  During the Santa Party, McFadden signed autographs and posed for photos with kids and encouraged guests to continue to serve the community.

Every year, more than 12,500 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer in the United States. Childhood cancer is the number one disease killer of children; yet the budget of the National Cancer Institute allocates less than four percent of its funds to pediatric cancer research. TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation is dedicated to raising awareness and funding research projects to find a cure for all childhood cancers.   

For more information on TeamConnor, visit teamconnor.org

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TeamConnorGrant.jpg

TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation announced a $25,000 DFW Community Choice Grant that one hospital in North Texas will receive based on the community’s vote throughout the month of December. 

Voting for the TeamConnor DFW Community Choice Grant is open to the public from December 1 – 29, 2016.  All votes will be tallied and the winner will be announced by 5:00 pm on December 30th.  To vote, the community should visit TeamConnor.org/DFWCommunityChoiceGrant.

“We are committed to funding more research for childhood cancers and supporting patient programs at the best hospitals in the DFW area,” said Kathryn Copple, executive director of Dallas-based TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation. “As one of the leading causes of deaths among children, childhood cancer receives very little government funding for research. TeamConnor has awarded more than $2 million in funding over the last eight years and wants to continue to fight childhood cancer and help our area hospitals with funding.” 

Every year, more than 12,500 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer in the United States. Childhood cancer is the number one disease killer of children; yet, the budget of the National Cancer Institute allocates less than four percent of its funds to pediatric cancer research. TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation is dedicated to raising awareness and funding research projects to find a cure for all childhood cancers.   

TeamConnor hosts several events throughout the year to raise funds for childhood cancer research, including the Northwestern Mutual Clay Shoot on December 8; the III Forks Golf Classic and Auction Dinner; Splash Out Childhood Cancer; Watters Creek National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Concert and Prayer Vigil; and the Color Me Green 5K, 10K and Caterpillar Dash. 

In addition, TeamConnor’s national program, Coins for Kids with Cancer raises funds in schools, churches, offices and organizations across the country to help fund childhood cancer research. More information about the program can be found at coinsforkidswithcancer.org.

For more information on how to impact the lives of those affected by childhood cancer, please visit teamconnor.org or find us at Facebook.com/TeamConnor.