Special Love

Holiday Party
2023-12-03 12:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Pearl Street Warehouse, 33 Pearl street SW, Washington, DC, DC, 20024
Kick-off the Holiday Season with Special Love.
Join us for a visit from Santa, fun gifts, face painters, balloon artists, good food, and a great time with great people!
Register here!
All Special Love Program Participants are required to adhere to our COVID-19 Policy

Parents Getaway Weekend
2023-11-18 - 2023-11-19 | Hyatt Regency, 7901 Tysons One Pl, Tysons, VA, 22102, United States
Parents Getaway Weekend is a weekend solely for the parents of patients and survivors who are 25 years old or younger and still live at home, as well as bereaved parents. The weekend is planned for parents, by parents, to provide a safe place to share and support one another in a small group setting; and as an outlet to deal with the facts of cancer individually, and ultimately regain a sense of control.
Parents Weekend also provides the parents with spa-caliber treatment options such as massages, yoga, and make-up makeovers, local activities and shopping, along with a themed Saturday night dinner dance, 2023 theme is Luau! All things parents of pediatric cancer patients don’t often longer have time to enjoy.
Speakers for the weekend include:
Danielle Eichner, Art Therapist
Amanda L. Thompson, Ph.D., Chief Pediatric Psychologist, Life with Cancer
Joanna Morales, Esq., CEO, Triage Cancer
All participants must adhere to Special Love’s COVID-19 Policy
Register for this fun and relaxing weekend here!

Octoberfest Family Weekend
2023-10-13 - 2023-10-15 | Camp Horizons, 3586 Horizons Way, Harrisonburg, VA, 22802, United States
Hold onto your haunted hats, we’re going back to Camp Horizon for more fun at Octoberfest Family Weekend on October 13-15!
We’ll have jack-o-lanterns, canoeing, haunted hikes, and spooky campfires , plus food, stargazing, and more! It’s all open to families of patients, survivors, and sibs ages 17 and under who are within 7 years of treatment or bereaved.
Sign up today – just click here!
All Special Love Program Participants are required to adhere to our COVID-19 Policy

Fall in Love 5K at Nats Park
2023-10-08
Special Love’s
Fall in Love 5k Walk/Run
Join us for another great morning at National Park for the 11th Annual Fall in Love 5k walk/run on Sunday, October 8, 2023.
Proceeds will help Special Love continue its 40-year history of providing a community of support for children with cancer and their families through free camps and weekend programs, emergency financial assistance, educational scholarships, and virtual programs.
Centerfield Gates Open at 8AM
Race starts at 9AM
Come walk or run with us and enjoy Nationals Park like you never have before. The 5k starts through the park. Come walk or run at this family-friendly event, meet Nationals Mascot Teddy, and enjoy the Park like you never have before. The 5k starts along the park’s concourse before moving out and around the beautiful riverfront neighborhood before coming back to the park where you can visit the Nationals dugout to snap a few memorable photos and enjoy some fun activities.
The Special Love Fall in Love 5k Walk/Run welcomes participants ranging in ages from toddlers and young adults to the young at heart.
Costs
$35 for 15 and up
$20 for 7 to 14
6 and under free
Register here today!
Parking for the event is free in Garage C of the stadium!

View our sponsorship packet here. For sponsorship opportunities please contact Jan Bresch

Thank you to our sponsors!

Arlington Little League
The Creech Family
Alliant Studios, Inc
Caroline & Greyson Goon
Eric Hansen

Fabulous 5 Senses Virtual Program
2023-10-05 16:30 - 17:30 | Virtual
Join our friends at Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum experience the five senses through exploration and experimentation!
The session is perfect for patients, survivors, and sibs ages 4-12, but anyone 17 and under is welcome to join the fun.
Register here!

Family Day @ Williamsburg Campground
2023-09-30 | Williamsburg Campground, 4000 Newman Road, Williamsburg, VA, 23188, United States
Join us for Family Day at the Williamsburg Campground. Arts and crafts, games, food, and fun for the whole family!
Register today here

All Special Love Program Participants are required to adhere to our COVID-19 Policy

Special Love Golf Tournament
2023-09-15 | Rock Harbor Golf Course, 365 Rock Harbor Drive, Winchester, VA, 22602, United States
Join us on September 15, 2023 for a spectacular golf outing at Rock Harbor Golf Club in Winchester, VA. You have a choice of an 8 am or 1:30 pm tee time (or both!) with a separate awards reception for each.
We promise a great fun-filled day with friends while supporting children with cancer. Your donation will have a direct and lasting impact on the life of a pediatric cancer patient and support Camp Fantastic 2024!
Register here
For sponsorship opportunities contact Jan Bresch

Thank you to our generous sponsors!

Title Sponsors

Platinum Sponsor

Beverage Cart Sponsors

Diamond Sponsor

Gold Sponsor
Southland Concrete

Hole Sponsors
Guy’s Buick • Kubic Construction • B&M Painting
Dewberry Inc • Tech Team • CBM Mortgage Inc.

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
2023-09-01 - 2023-09-30
Go Gold for Childhood Cancer in the month of September!

CAMP FANTASTIC 2023
2023-08-13 - 2023-08-19 | Northern Virginia 4-H Educational and Conference Center, 600 4h Center Dr, Front Royal, VA, 22630, United States
Camp Fantastic (for patients/survivors)
Our hallmark program is a week-long adventure for 7-17 patients and survivors who are within 5 years of treatment (or within 7 years of a bone marrow transplant). Medical care is provided on-site so campers can focus on fun – a ropes course, canoeing, swimming, cooking, sports, and more! Teens have exclusive lodging and programming and 16 and 17-year-olds can participate in our LIT (leaders in training) group.
To find more information about this year’s camp click here.
All cancer patients ages 7-17 within 5 years of treatment (or within 7 years of a bone marrow transplant) are eligible.
For more information or questions, contact Dave Smith

BRASS Camp
2023-07-23 - 2023-07-29 | Camp Maria Retreat Center, 41290 Camp Maria Road, Leonardtown, MD, 20650, United States
BRASS Camp (BRothers And SiSters Camp)
Our annual salute to siblings is back! We’ll convene on July 23-29 at Camp Maria in Leonardtown, MD, for a week of fun, friendship, and adventure. The venue sits on the edge of Breton Bay (part of the Chesapeake Bay) so fishing, crabbing, and canoeing are part of the fun. There’s also a pool for swimming, campfires, and loads of sports and crafts. It’s all open to campers 7-17 who have a brother or sister within 5 years of treatment (or 7 years of a bone marrow transplant), as well as bereaved sibs. Older teens are eligible to be CITs (counselors-in-training).
BRASS Camp 2023
Cancer siblings, you don’t want to miss BRASS camp. A week where you can come and just be yourself.
We are so excited to be back at camp this year.
Open to brothers and sisters ages 7-17 who have a sibling with cancer within 5 years of their off treatment date as well as bereaved siblings.
BRASS Camp Applications are available here
For more information or questions, contact Angela Ashman.
All Special Love Program Participants are required to adhere to our COVID-19 Policy

Special Love Annual Gala
2023-06-23 18:00 - 23:00 | Hilton Mclean Tysons Corner, 7920 Jones Branch Dr, Mclean, 22102
Special Love’s Gala on Friday, June 23rd at the Hilton-Tyson’s Corner will be a special evening supporting children with cancer and their families, and celebrating our 40th Anniversary.
Over the last 40 years, we’ve been fortunate to have individuals and companies on this journey with us and we are honored to present our Love awards to two individual’s in-particular. One, who created the “Love,” and the other who keeps the love flowing through her work as a valued member of the Camp Fantastic leadership team.
Special Love co-founder, Sheila Baker, will be presented with the Circle of Love Award in recognition of her and late husband, Tom Baker, dreaming to create a place where kids could just be kids and not patients, launching Camp Fantastic in 1983.
The Randy Schools Light of Love Award will be presented to Holly Senn, a Child-Life Specialist at INOVA Fairfax Hospital and Camp Fantastic Volunteer, in heartfelt recognition of her dedication to our campers over the last 18 years.
The evening will include wonderful food, great entertainment, exciting silent auction items, and the opportunity to visit with our young Special Love Ambassadors to learn first-hand the impact Special Love has had in their young lives.

Individual Tickets: $250
Get your tickets now!
Sponsorship Opportunities Available

Gala Dinner Committee
Margaret Bessette Melissa Steele
Gala Co-Chairs

Gala Committee
Nicole Blocker
Jan Bresch
William P. Cannon
Anthony Curtis
Maria Gonzales Jackson
For more information, contact Jan Bresch.
Thank You to Our Generous Sponsors!
Jennifer & Ron Christie
Gold Sponsors

Benefactors

Silver Sponsor
Clark Construction
Table Sponsors
Aequalis LLC Nicole Blocker Jan Bresch Shari & Andy Fisher
Offit Kurman Jyothi Raghaven The Tomoff Family Ed White
Friend Sponsor
The Schmidt Family
In-Kind Sponsors
OpenBlooms, Inc Vienna Vintner

Summer Family Day
2023-06-18 | Smokey Glen Farm, 16407 Riffle Ford Rd, Gaithersburg, MD, 20878, United States
Summer Family Day is a fun-filled gathering for all past and present (and future) Special Love families. We are also celebrating Special Love’s 40th year! We’ll have everything from face painters, balloon artists, zip-lining, crafts, and outdoor games.. Food and fellowship are of course on the menu. It’s a can’t-miss time for families who’ve together weathered one of the most grueling events a family can face – a child battling cancer – to come together and heal.
Event Location: Smokey Glen Farm, 16407 Riffle Ford Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20878
Register here
All Special Love Program Participants are required to adhere to our COVID-19 Policy

Flags of Valor Virtual Program
2023-05-25 16:30 - 17:30 | Virtual
Just in time for Memorial Day: a virtual flag-making craft with Flags of Valor!
Join us on Thursday, May 25th, at 4:30 pm to make two flags – one to keep and one to give to someone special. It’s free and we’ll send all the materials you’ll need, as well as the Zoom link, once you’ve registered.
The session is perfect for patients, survivors, and sibs ages 4-12, but anyone 17 and under is welcome to join the fun. Participants 5 and under should have a teen or grown-up to help.
Sign up below TODAY (or no later than May 18th) to ensure that your supplies arrive on time.
Register here

Under 7 Family Day
2023-04-22 10:00 - 15:00 | Frying Pan Park, 2739 West Ox Rd, Herndon, VA, 20171, United States
Join us as we re-vamped our Under 7 Fantastic Kiddos Program! Join us for this fun-filled day of outside fun and arts and crafts on the farm! And parents, join us for a separate time JUST FOR YOU!
Open to patients and survivors under 7 and their families!
Register here!

All Special Love Program Participants are required to adhere to our COVID-19 Policy

Virtual Programs with GWU's APO
2023-04-11 - 2023-04-13 | Virtual
Join us for one or both of these Virtual Programs as our friends at George Washington University’s Alpha Phi Omega (APO) host our virtual events for the week!
Tuesday, April 11th, 7:00 pm – Just Dance Party with APO – join us as our friends from Alpha Phi Omega (APO) at George Washington University lead a fun and footloose virtual dance party using Just Dance videos. We’ll get moving and learn some new moves as we keep up with the videos!
Thursday, April 13th, 4:30 pm – Magic Reading Wands – APO members will help you create your own reading wand using wooden craft sticks and decorations from around the house. Your own limitation is your own imagination!
Register here!

Berry Cool DNA Virtual Program
2023-03-23 16:30 - 18:00
Berry Cool DNA Science
Thursday, March 23, at 4:30 pm
Join our friends at Thermo-Fisher as we extract DNA from a strawberry! Plus, we’ll make a do-it-yourself Bubbling Lava Lamp (time permitting).
The session is open to patients and survivors ages 8-and-up who are within 5 years of treatment as well as their age-appropriate siblings.
Register by March 11th so we can mail you the supplies!
Register here

Cookie Dough Concrete Virtual Program
2023-01-19 16:30 - 17:30 | Virtual
Join our friends at Clark Construction for a fun virtual program (that you can eat.) Learn all about the process of making and mixing concrete, but unlike concrete, these results won’t break your teeth.
Cookie Dough Concrete! (A VOICE adventure hosted by our friends at Clark Construction)
Thursday, January 19th, 4:30 pm on Zoom
Supplies will be mailed prior to the event.
Register by January 4th
Register now!

Special Love's Winter Weekend
2023-01-13 - 2023-01-16 | Canaan Valley Resort and Conference Center, 230 Main Lodge Road, Davis, VA, 26260, United States
Winter is coming!
It’s a good thing, too, because that means it’s time for Special Love’s Winter Weekend – and this year there’s a twist.
We’ve combined our two traditional January outings – teen/young adult weekend and Family Ski Weekend – and created one blowout, 3-day weekend at Canaan Valley Resort in West Virginia. The event will be open to TWO audiences:
1. Families of patients/survivors ages 17 and younger who are within 5 years of treatment (immediate family only) and bereaved families who have “BRASS-eligible” sibs (ages 7-16)
2. Young adult patients/survivors ages 18-25 (family members not eligible)
Cost is $295 per family or $100 per young adult. Young adults will room together.
Register here!

Holiday Party
2022-12-04 12:00 - 15:00 | Pearl Street Warehouse, 33 Pearl street SW, Washington, DC, DC, 20024
Special Love’s annual Holiday Party is a kick-off for our families to what we hope will be a great holiday season. It’s also a chance thank our wonderful donors and volunteers who make everything Special Love does possible.
Held at Pearl Street Warehouse in Washington, DC, the party provides fun activities for the whole family. Whether young or old, attendees enjoy a fantastic lunch, amazing face painters, balloon artists, arts and crafts, and a chance to sit on Santa’s lap.
Register here!
For more information, contact Angela Ashman.
.

Parents Getaway Weekend
2022-11-19 - 2022-11-20 | Hyatt Regency, 7901 Tysons One Pl, Tysons, VA, 22102, United States
Registration is now open for our Annual Parents Getaway Weekend!
November 19-20, 2022
Hyatt, Tysons Corner
This free weekend is solely for the parents to provide them a safe place to share and support one another in a small group setting with discussion’s and activities, while enjoying a little pampering and fun.
Saturday afternoon enjoy;

massages
yoga
make-up makeovers

Saturday evening enjoy a Roaring 20’s themed dinner dance. Costumes are encouraged, but not required.

Register here
For more information, contact aashman@specialove.org

Fall in Love 5k Walk/Run
2022-10-29 | Nationals Park, 1500 S Capitol St SE, Washington, DC, 20003, United States
Break out your running or walking shoes and join us on Saturday, October 29th for our 10th Annual Fall in Love 5k Walk/Run at Nationals Ballpark.
Come walk or run with us and enjoy the ballpark like you never have before. Start the 5k through the parks concourse before moving out and around the beautiful riverfront neighborhood, then back to the park where you can access the Nationals dugouts, snap a few great shots to share with family and friends, and fun activities for the kids.
Proceeds from the event help Special Love continue to provide a community of support to children with cancer, and their families in the Washington metropolitan area through free camps and engaging programs, educational scholarships and emergency financial assistance.
A family friendly event welcomes participants, ranging in ages from toddlers and young adults, to the young at heart
Center Field Gates Open at 8 AM
Race Starts at 9 AM
Register here!
Registration: $35
$20 Kids 8 to 14 years of age
Kids 7 years of age and under Free!
Interested in volunteering? Sign-up here.
Day of Information
Entrance: Guests will be entering through the Main Centerfield Gates.

Garage C Parking: Complimentary parking in Garage C at Nationals Park is available for guests driving to the ballpark. The garage is located at the corner of N Street SE and 1st St. SE with the vehicle entrance on 1st St. SE. When entering the garage, drivers will need to let the parking attendant know that they are there for the event. Guests are encouraged to park near the elevator banks located on each level on the plaza side of the garage. Once parked, take the elevators or stairs down to “PL” (Plaza) which is street level. From there, guests will walk towards the street and enter through our Main Centerfield Gates.
Uber/Ride Share Apps: Guests who are using Ride Share Apps should be dropped off along N St SE. This street is parallel to the Centerfield Gates that they will be entering through.
Metro: Guests who are using the metro should get off on the Green Line at the Ballpark/ Navy Yard Stop. When exiting guests should exit on the West Side of the platform onto Half St SE. Then they should proceed down Half St SE towards Centerfield Gates.

Bag Policy:
NP bag policy has changed this year to a clear bag policy and clutches. Any bags larger than a clutch (5” by 7” x ¾”), will no longer be permitted unless the bag is clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC. Guests with diaper or medical bags will be admitted with additional screening measures upon entry. We encourage you to communicate this new policy with your guests in advance of your event date, so they can plan accordingly. For additional details on our official bag policy, click here.
Wristband Policy:
Participants in the 5K will be required to show their (GREEN) wristbands to regain entry at Home Plate Gate. If guests were to re-enter through the Main Centerfield Gates, they will have to go back through additional screening.
Walking Path to the Dugouts:
Guests will get access to the Warning Track and dugouts via the Third Base Side of the Main Concourse. They will go down the stairs at section 110/111 and walk the warning track around to either dugout. The Third Base Elevators will be available for anyone who needs ADA access.

5k Committee
Caroline Goon
Dahlia Lerner
Katy Wenzel

5K Sponsors

.
The Lerner Foundation

Toby, Silvia, Grace & Noa
John & Lorrie Chow
Barry Creech & Family
Shari & Andy Fisher
Malloy Automotive Group
Melissa Steele
MP Brock Zimmerman

For more information, contact Jan Bresch.

While we are excited to host our 10th Annual 5k in person, the safety of our participants, families, staff, volunteers, and vendors is our highest priority.
To make the day safe and fun for all, we encourage everyone to be fully vaccinated, and ask each participant take a home COVID test 12 hours before attending to ensure you are not a risk to others, especially to those who may be immunocompromised.
Special Love is working with the Nationals Ball Park to provide guests with additional space to limit crowding, while ensuring CDC sanitation guidance are in place.

BRASS Weekend 2022
2022-10-14 - 2022-10-16 | Camp Horizons, 3586 Horizons Way, Harrisonburg, VA, 22802, United States
BRASS Weekend, Oct. 14-16th, 2022 at Camp Horizons

Join us for fall fun with crafts, games, and Halloween fun!
Open to brothers and sisters ages 7-17 who have a sibling with cancer within 5 years of their off treatment date as well as bereaved siblings.

Register here

OctoberFest Family Weekend
2022-10-07 - 2022-10-09 | Camp Horizons, 3586 Horizons Way, Harrisonburg, VA, 22802, United States
Fall is almost here! Save the date for this fall fun weekend filled with pumpkin carving, campfires, fall sweet treats, crafts, and lots of other fun activities!
This event is open to the families of patients, survivors and bereaved families up to 5 years off treatment.
Register here!
For more information, contact Angela Ashman.

Annual Gala
2022-09-30 18:00 - 23:00 | Hilton Mclean Tysons Corner, 7920 Jones Branch Dr, Mclean, 22102
Join us for a wonderful evening supporting children with cancer and their families.
The evening will include wonderful food, great entertainment, exciting silent auction items, and the opportunity to visit with our young Special Love Ambassadors to learn first-hand the impact Special Love has had in their young lives.
The evening’s emcee is NBC4 meteorologist and Special Love Board member, Chuck Bell.
Each year, we are honored to present Love awards to individuals and companies who have long been valued partners in Special Love’s mission.
This year we present the Circle of Love Award to our wonderful friends, Clark Construction. The Circle of Love award represents continued support, and a circle of love that sustains our families through their cancer journey.
The Randy Schools Light of Love Award will be presented our Dr. Stephen Chanock, (who our young patients adore), in grateful recognition of his nearly 30 years as our Camp Fantastic medical director and his commitment and compassion to the children and families of Special Love.
Individual Tickets: $250
Contact Aaron Andrews to purchase tickets.
Sponsorship Opportunities Available
Gala Dinner Committee
Melissa Steele, Chair
Nicole Blocker Monica Hanson
William P. Cannon Dahlia Lerner
Anthony Curtis Lisa Schmidt

For more information, contact Jan Bresch.

Gala Sponsors
Jennifer and Ron Christie

Gold Sponsors

Benefactors

Silver Sponsors
Clark Construction Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Walter P. Moore JLL HITT Newmark

Table Sponsors
Jan Bresch The Conti Family Caroline & Greyson Goon
Shari & Andy Fisher Brendan Meehan Lisa and Conrad Schmidt
The Tomoff Family Lee Weiner MP Brock Zimmerman
E-PAGA Quantum Real Estate Management Nicole Chastain Blocker
Judy & Mark Lerner Foundation Jyothi Raghaven & Family

Friend
Greenstein Delorme & Luchs Jacob & Dahlia Lerner

While we are excited to once again host our Annual Gala in person, the safety of our families, guests, staff, volunteers, and vendors is our highest priority.
To make the evening safe and pleasurable for all, we encourage everyone to be fully vaccinated, and ask each take a home COVID test 12 hours before attending to ensure you are not a risk to others, especially to those who may be immunocompromised.
Special Love is working with the Hilton to provide guests with additional space to limit crowding, while ensuring CDC sanitation guidance are in place.

(More!) Amazing Animals with Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum
2022-09-22 16:00 - 17:00 | Virtual
Join us for another fun Amazing Animals session with Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum!
Register here!

Fall Family Day @ KOA Williamsburg
2022-09-17 10:00 - 15:00 | Williamsburg Campground, 4000 Newman Road, Williamsburg, VA, 23188, United States
Join us for a day at the KOA filled with crafts, games, hiking, frisbee golf, good food, and hanging out on the giant spiderweb!
Register here!

YAC Retreat
2022-09-10 | TBA
YAC is back! Patients and survivors ages 18-25 are invited to join us in Stafford, VA for a day of fun and relaxation. Join us for kayaking, paddle-boarding, nature walking, crafts, and lunch on us.

More information on the location provided after sign-ups!

Register here!

Summer Celebration Day at Smokey Glen Farm
2022-08-21 10:00 - 16:00 | Smokey Glen Farm, 16407 Riffle Ford Rd, Gaithersburg, MD, 20878, United States
Join us for the last of our Summer Celebration Days!
You won’t want to miss:

Ziplining
Balloon Art
Face Painting
A Delicious BBQ Lunch
Fun Arts & Crafts for the whole family

Register here!

Beyond Juggling Virtual Event
2022-08-17 16:00 - 17:30 | Virtual
Join Dr. Jacob Weiss, professional juggler, entertainer, and director of “HandEyeBody Academy” for an engaging hour that goes WAY beyond juggling. You’ll do things that will blow your mind (and you’ll also get a set of professional-grade juggling balls and scarves)! No juggling experience necessary. If you think you can’t juggle, this activity is designed just for you!
Register here

Virtual Robotics Lab
2022-08-13 14:00 - 15:30 | Virtual
Special Love’s VOICE (Virtual Online In-home Camp Experiences) is back – and so are the robots!
Join professional robot engineer Viktor Orekhov for a return to the Robot Lab. You’ll build a robot that stacks dominos so you can knock ’em down!
Use the button below to register before August 5th and we’ll ship your supplies directly to you.
Register here
