The Faris Foundation Quarterly
December 2020
NEWS
The Faris Foundation Grants $1.4 Million for Advanced Sarcoma Clinical Trial
We invest in research as if our child’s life depends on it. Our 2020 Research Grant will fund a clinical trial of a novel form of immunotherapy for children, a first-in-human study called HEROES 3.0. With this $1.4 million grant over 3 years, researchers will build on the success of their previous work to deliver more positive clinical outcomes for children with sarcomas and other solid tumors. This is HOPE, and it is made possible thanks to your generous support. Learn more here.
Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital (New York, NY) and The Faris Foundation Join Forces for Art Therapy Fellowship Program
Embedded within one of the nation’s top children’s hospitals, The Faris Foundation Creative Arts Therapy Fellow will support pediatric patients, with a primary focus on hematology and oncology patients, and their families four days a week (including weekends) through comprehensive creative arts therapy services that meet emotional, physical, cognitive, social, cultural, and communicative needs. This Fellowship program builds upon the legacy of the Harv Toback Fund for the Arts Fellowship at Mount Sinai (2017-2020).
Holiday Art Celebration at Children’s Cancer Centers
Though the holidays look different this year, the magic continues with upcoming wintery art celebrations at Texas Children’s Cancer Centers and MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital. Get in the spirit by revisiting our 2019 Holiday Art Party, with jolly gingerbread-friends galore!
LOOKING BACK ON 2020
We began the year by publishing our first-ever Impact Report – worth a re-read, and look out for our 2020 Impact Report coming soon.
In February, we celebrated our first birthday with an Art Party at Texas Children’s Cancer Center!
In March, as the world changed, we mobilized to meet the ever-more urgent needs of childhood cancer families, through our COVID Rapid Relief programs and partnerships. Our generous community made it possible for us to provide financial assistance, direct aid, and funeral expense support to families in this very difficult and protracted moment. We are grateful to have been able to remain steadfast in our mission to bring brighter days and better treatments to children with cancer.
As summer got underway, Leara Glinzak stepped into her role as The Faris Foundation Art Therapist at Texas Children’s Center – a milestone moment for all of us!
September was shiny as ever, thanks to the golden hearts of each of you – across the country and around the world.
Aligned with The Faris Foundation’s core belief that every child should have access to art as a part of their treatment plan, we introduced a new series of public art initiatives this year: “Art is GOLD,” a series of free online art workshops each Saturday in September; a virtual gallery of entries from the organization’s inaugural “Art is HOPE” juried art competition (enter the gallery here); and a pop-up installation in Houston by famed muralist Anat Ronen.
For a full recap of all of September’s events and activities, check out our GOLDEN HIGHLIGHTS newsletter.
We are grateful to Prime AT&T, our GOLDEN partner for the 4th year in a row, and to our shiny new partners Sun Com Cricket and the AT&T Employee Angel Fund. With in-store and community events galore, along with corporate contributions, you all came together to raise over $750,000 – every dollar of which goes directly to research and programs that bring hope and healing to children with cancer. If you would like to make a contribution, you can still do so by visiting this link.
As we head into 2021 with new partnerships and new grants supporting childhood cancer research and creative arts for children with cancer, we are also assessing and further refining our existing programs, and we look forward to sharing that with you in our 2020 Impact Report!
SOCIAL MEDIA + SPREAD THE WORD
If you’re not already, be sure to follow us on social media (Facebook; Twitter; Instagram), where you stay up-to-date on the latest from The Faris Foundation and join us in our bold mission – all from the palm of your hand!
Please share this newsletter with a friend! Spread the word, and help us build our glowing community. We need all hands – and hearts – on deck to bring brighter days and better treatments to children with cancer.
FRESH NEW GEAR
Our Swag Store has shirts, hats, hoodies, and totes for the whole family. All proceeds will go directly to support the programs of The Faris Foundation.
Signing off with a Twinkling Thought
“Have courage and be kind. Where there is kindness there is goodness, and where there is goodness there is magic.”
–Cinderella
Gold Star
All of you are on Santa’s Nice List! You have shared in our hope and prayer to bring brighter days and better treatments to children with cancer. Thank you for believing alongside us. Stay magical!
We’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas! Drop us a line at info@thefarisfoundation.org. Help us to share the magic by inviting others to join our glowing community.