Archive for February, 2009

We are very excited to announce the 2009 Friends of Heroes team co-captains: Carole Franklyn and Beck Marko!

“Both Carole and Beck have been extremely helpful and supportive over the years. I am confident the team will advance under their leadership!” said Jennifer Burgess, National Co-captain 2007 & 2008

Please join us in welcoming Carole and Beck! They are both so honored to help lead such an amazing team.

Meet Carole Franklyn

“I am a married mom of two: Makenna is 8 and Aidan is 4. I live in Virginia , about 20 miles outside of Washington , DC . I work fulltime as an HR Specialist and Executive Assistant for a healthcare management company. Besides FOH, I love to read, be with my kids and volunteer at their schools. I am also active with CancerWarriors and been a proud sponsor of three kids: Amazing Jacob (an angel in Heaven), McKayla (OT 2+ yrs) and Princess Chloe (OT 6 months) who I got to meet in person! Last year, I was on my local LTN committee, but decided that this year I would devote my time to FOH.

“My son was born in June 2004 and while I was home on maternity leave, I discovered BabyCenter and through that, Allie’s story. I have been a member of Friends of Heroes since before it was Allie’s Angels. That little girl, and the many other children since her, have touched me in a way I never could have predicted – maybe because I had young children or maybe because I was looking for something “more” in my life. Whatever the reason, FOH has found a place in my heart.

“Over the past three years, I have become more and more involved in FOH. I started out on the Task Force and have moved up to my current position. I am looking forward to many great things from FOH this year! Most importantly, I’d like to spread the word about us as well as increase the involvement from all of you. It takes all of us to make FOH a success!”

Now meet Beck Marko

“I am Beck, a stay at home mom of three kiddos ages five, four and three years old, and I have been happily married for 7 1/2 years to my husband Vince.  Leukemia and Lymphoma Society has been a huge part of my life since I first read about baby Allie on her family’s web page.  I chose from that day forward that I would make it my job to do as much as I can to help find the cure for cancer.

“Since then I have served on several committees including 2004-2008 Northern Nevada Man Women and Celebrity of the year events, I chaired the 2007 Northern Nevada Light the Night walk, I have also served three years on the Friends of Heroes planning team.  In 2007  I was a task force teammate, 2008 I was in charge of social networks and then I was honored with the chance to work along side Carole as a co-captain to such a wonderful team in 2009.

“I have had the wonderful opportunity to meet so many wonderful people and can’t wait to make 2009 a WONDERFUL year!!!!! Outside of Friends of Heroes, I love to make homemade soaps, crafts, teaching Sunday school at our church and just being a mama.”

More About National Co-captains

After the unprecedented fundraising success and teamwork of Friends of Heroes (then Allie’s Angels ’04 and Friends of Allie ’05), a succession plan was created to ensure the future of Friends of Heroes. This plan provided for two national co-captains and a team leader committee.

Friends of Heroes National Co-Captains are passionate about the LLS mission and devote much of their spare time to help the team. As a co-captain, they serve a two-year term and draw from their previous experience as national team leaders. Typically, the co-captain terms are staggered to provide continuity and to enable them to share and pass on their experience. Since a new co-captain was not installed in 2008, two new co-captains will lead Friends of Heroes in 2009.