Nine-year-old Carson, a reptile and snake enthusiast, explores Coorer's Rock State Park with his family and his mentor, Lauren, who is a wildlife educator.
The West Virginia University School of Nursing has launched a new collaborative partnership with Connecting Champions, a nonprofit organization dedicated to pairing children and young adults who have cancer with mentors who share their interests and career dreams.
Together, the two groups are working to expand the program’s reach statewide by engaging Faith Community Nurses across West Virginia. Faith Community Nursing is an initiative led by the WVU School of Nursing to bring nurse-led access to care to the most rural reaches of West Virginia.
“I am constantly inspired by the young people we serve and their ability to dream beyond their situation, as well as by the amazing volunteer mentors who make those dreams a reality,” said Coy Thompson, program director for Connecting Champions.
Through this new collaboration, the WVU School of Nursing will work with Faith Community Nurses in congregations across the state to help identify children who have had cancer or are currently in treatment and connect them with the organization’s mentoring services.
Connecting Champions has already served hundreds of children and families and is now broadening its impact throughout North Central West Virginia but seeks to expand into more rural communities.
"Connecting Champions has helped me in so many different ways,” said Meredith, a 19-year-old involved with the program. “From getting experience in my desired field to making connections and becoming more social, Connecting Champions has done so much for me. I am so thankful for them and their commitment to helping kids like me make the most out of life.”
Connecting Champions was founded on the belief that every child deserves hope, connection, and emotional support during their cancer journey. The organization matches participants with mentors who help them explore passions — whether in sports, science, art, music, technology, or countless other fields.
“Faith Community Nurses are uniquely positioned to recognize families in need, provide trusted support, and serve as bridges between their congregations and community resources,” said Dr. Angel Smothers, Associate Dean for Community Engagement.
The partnership aims to:
- Expand awareness of Connecting Champions among faith communities, families, and healthcare partners statewide.
- Increase access to mentoring services for children in rural and underserved areas of West Virginia.
- Strengthen community-based support systems for families navigating a childhood cancer diagnosis.
- Enhance the role of Faith Community Nurses as connectors, advocates, and sources of hope.
By scaling this effort statewide, the WVU School of Nursing and Connecting Champions hope to ensure that no child in West Virginia has to face cancer without someone in their corner—someone who believes in them, encourages them, and helps them imagine a bright future.
As the program expands, Faith Community Nurses will receive training and resources to help identify eligible children, support families, and collaborate closely with both the WVU School of Nursing and Connecting Champions staff.
For more information, email Coy@ConnectingChampions.org.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Wendy Holdren
Director of Communications and Marketing
WVU School of Nursing
304-581-1772; wendy.holdren@hsc.wvu.edu