About Us
Our mission is to restore hope to blood cancer patients and their families by increasing registered bone marrow donors, providing nutritious meals to patients undergoing treatment, and supporting blood cancer research
Our Story
There Goes My Hero was founded by leukemia survivor and bone marrow transplant recipient Erik Sauer.
On May 20, 2008 Erik was diagnosed Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML). One week later, Erik’s wife Lisa gave birth to their son Joey. Several days later, Erik entered Johns Hopkins Hospital, where he spent four rocky months, receiving chemotherapy and, ultimately, a bone marrow transplant from an unrelated donor.
Erik's own fight lead him to want to help others. Today, Hero partners with Delete Blood Cancer to add potential life-savers to the National Bone Marrow Registry; provides meals to patients undergoing treatment and their family members with Moveable Feast; and supports blood cancer research and patient support programs at Maryland hospitals.
[ Right: Erik and his donor, Isabel ]
Staff & Board of Directors
Kristina Gaddy
Marketing and Communications Manager
Kristina returned to There Goes My Hero in the spring of 2018 to assist with marketing and communication efforts. She has volunteered or worked with Hero for the past six years. She was diagnosed with leukemia in 2010 and is celebrating her 6th year being cancer free. She holds an MFA in Creative Nonfiction writing from Goucher College and has written for various website, news outlets, and literary journals.
Ross Hyatt
Event and Drive Coordinator
Ross moved from being an intern at There Goes My Hero to organizing events and helping with administrative work. He is a recent graduate of the Organizational and Community Leadership Program at the University of Delaware. Ross has recently taken over the responsibilities of all bone marrow drives. He works closely with our partners including DKMS and the Ulman Cancer Foundation. He has a true passion for helping others and aims to use his passion to further develop Hero’s mission.
Gina Ramsey
Board Member, Chair of Marketing Committee
Director of New Product Development, Adventure Web Productions
Shirley Mowery
Board Member, Chair of Board Development
Business Development Director at Hertzbach & Company, P.A.
Our Partners
Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults
"We change lives by creating a community of support for young adults, and their loved ones, as they fight cancer and embrace survivorship."
Delete Blood Cancer
"We lead the fight against blood cancer by working with families & communities to recruit bone marrow donors & provide patients with second chances at life."
Moveable Feast
"We provides meals, weekly groceries, and nutritional counseling to those facing life-threatening illness."
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
"LLS is the largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding research, finding cures and ensuring access to treatments for blood cancer patients."
Sydney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center
"One of only 45 cancer centers in the country designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) as a Comprehensive Cancer Center."
Upper Chesapeake Cancer LifeNet
"Our Cancer LifeNet program helps you find the services you need to balance work, family and cancer treatment."
Our Major Sponors
