The Faris Foundation Quarterly
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
Faris D. Virani, during his three year journey with a rare form of bone cancer called Ewing sarcoma, was bewildered by the lack of public recognition around September and the gold ribbon, the symbolic color for childhood cancer awareness.
Every September, we deepen our commitment to this cause through “Let There Be GOLD,” our public engagement campaign. Join us in our mission to bring brighter days and better treatments to children with cancer!
Our Let There Be GOLD Toolkit is full of ideas, inspiration, and handy resources to help you get started on your Let There Be GOLD journey!
Download the GOLD ToolkitA Golden Proclamation
On September 12th, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner will issue a proclamation to honor The Faris Foundation and raise the profile of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Our heartfelt thanks to Council Member Letitia Plummer for requesting this proclamation on our behalf.
GOLD Celebrations
Our signature Let There Be GOLD celebrations will soon be underway, with a month-long lineup of sparkling events at Texas Children’s Cancer Center (the nation’s largest pediatric cancer center), MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital, Ronald McDonald House Houston, and Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital in New York City.
Glowing GOLD at Prime AT&T Stores
Prime Communications is celebrating Childhood Cancer Awareness Month through their Let There Be GOLD campaign in over 2,000 AT&T stores from coast to coast (follow the link to find a Prime AT&T store near you). Thank you to the entire Prime team for shining their light to bring brighter days and better treatments to children with cancer!
Threads of Gold
An annual collaboration between The Faris Foundation, HISD Fine Arts Department, and Asia Society Texas Center, Threads of Gold is a unique arts educator professional development workshop and student art exhibition, now in its third year!
In August, over 100 HISD art teachers joined us for professional development sessions where they explored art-making techniques using gold lacquer and gold leaf, as well as the cultural significance of gold throughout history – including its present-day association with Childhood Cancer Awareness. Through Threads of Gold, teachers introduce their students to new techniques and materials, and to art as a form of social engagement and change.
Select works by students will be on display at our Gallery Night at Asia Society Texas Center on October 26th. Additionally, several works of art will be exhibited at Houston City Hall from November 11th through the end of December 2023.
Do you have space to display 10-20 pieces of art to highlight this program for two to four weeks? We would love to find new and exciting venues to shine light on this amazing collaboration. Contact Carrie Hassall (carrie@thefarisfoundation.org) for more information.
Golden Opportunities
Thank you to our many partners for creating giveback opportunities for their customers and community members! Here are some recent and upcoming opportunities to get involved:
- Free Jr. Frostys at Wendy’s! Through the end of August, visit a participating Wendy’s location* to purchase a limited edition Let There Be GOLD wristband, which gets you FREE Jr. Frostys through the end of 2024! (*Houston Metro, Austin, San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Laredo, and McAllen, TX)
- Kendra Scott Stay tuned for the promo code for our online giveback campaign with Kendra Scott (with in-store giveback opportunities in Houston-area stores)
- Shell Giving Pump Select Shell locations in the Houston area are supporting The Faris Foundation through “The Giving Pump” initiative; look out for the sign the next time you fill up!
Show your GOLD spirit for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month with our new Let There Be GOLD t-shirt! For a limited time, use the code FREESHIP for free shipping on your order.
Get Your GOLD T-ShirtHost a Good JuJu Wrap Party!
We bring the gifts and the supplies, and you and your guests wrap the packages. It’s a magical and meaningful way to make difference in the lives of children with cancer. Contact Tiffany Talbert (tiffany@thefarisfoundation.org) to learn more and get involved.
Run the Chevron Houston Marathon with The Faris Foundation
January 13-14, 2024
The Faris Foundation is proud to be an official charity partner for the 2024 Chevron Houston Marathon. With the heat of the summer finally cooling down, what better time than now to commit to a training program so you can help kids get to the finish line? There are so many ways to get involved with this event!
Whether you’re a seasoned runner looking to add more meaning to your miles, lacing up for the first time, or cheer on runners at the event, we need YOU! We are also looking for corporate partners – this is a great opportunity to have widespread marketing exposure at the largest single day sports event in Houston. For more information, contact Carrie Hassall (carrie@thefarisfoundation.org).
Run with The FAris Foundation
Signing off with a Twinkling Thought
“Children see magic because they look for it.”
– Christopher Moore
Gold Star
Goes to Wendy’s Houston Co-Op and the teams at 200+ stores participating in the Wendy’s Let There Be GOLD wristband campaign for believing alongside us that kids do matter, and inviting their customers and communities to join in our mission.
Glow Baby Glow
We’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas! Come visit or drop a line at info@thefarisfoundation.org. Help us to share the magic by inviting others to join our glowing community.