The Periwinkle Foundation

Please help us welcome our Hart Family Internship Summer Program Coordinators, Madi Jo Navarre and Elsie Wire!

Madi Jo and Elsie will be spending the summer with The Periwinkle Foundation as our Summer Program Coordinators, helping with a variety of camp programs, events, and special projects while supporting the many details that make Camp Periwinkle such a memorable experience for our campers and families.

Welcome to the Periwinkle team, Madi Jo and Elsie! We’re excited to have you on board and look forward to a fantastic summer together.

Save The Date! Iron Sommelier 2026, presented by Chord Energy, will be held on Thursday, November 19, 2026.

Save The Date! Iron Sommelier 2026, presented by Chord Energy, will be held on Thursday, November 19, 2026.

Hosted at The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston, Houston’s premier wine competition and tasting event brings together some of the city’s most talented sommeliers as they compete for the coveted title of Iron Sommelier.

Underwriter & Sponsorship opportunities are available for more information, contact Alice Rohrman at [email protected] or 713-807-019.

Big thanks to the fantastic volunteers from Deloitte for their help in making crayons for Crayon Club last Friday! Your generosity and hard work are deeply appreciated, and we're grateful to partner with such a dedicated group of volunteers!

Join us in celebrating National Cancer Survivors Day! We are so thankful for our Periwinkle Long-Term Survivors. Today and every day, we celebrate the strength and hope you represent.

Congratulations to Quinn Franklin, Carol Herron, Mashal Kara, Michelle Fritsch, and the entire Psychosocial Program team on these impressive accomplishments. We are grateful to partner with professionals who are advancing the fields of psychosocial care, education, and the arts while helping children and families thrive during and after treatment.

Take a moment to read about their recent publications and contributions. Their work is making a meaningful impact not only at Texas Children's, but for children and families across the country.

The expertise of our 𝗣𝘀𝘆𝗰𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 reaches far beyond our Center.

Their recent publications span creative therapies, school support, and national care guidelines—helping strengthen how children and families are supported during and after treatment.

🤝🏼🥇✨See their recent contributions below:

• 𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗻 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗹𝗶𝗻 and 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗼𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗼𝗻 co-authored a chapter in the University of Houston’s 𝙄𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝘼𝙧𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝, showcasing the Periwinkle Arts in Medicine Program. The chapter outlines how creative arts support patients and families. It also provides a real-world example of bringing arts-based care into healthcare settings.
🔗 Read the chapter: https://uhlibraries.pressbooks.pub/InnovationsInArtsAndHealth/chapter/periwinkle-arts-in-medicine-program-at-texas-childrens-cancer-and-hematology-center/

• 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗮 𝗗𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿, 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗹 𝗞𝗮𝗿𝗮, 𝗔𝘀𝗵𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘄𝘀, and 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘀𝗰𝗵 developed a new Back-to-School Screening Program and published their findings in 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙪𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙞𝙣 𝙀𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣. The program has helped more than 1,100 families navigate school during treatment — demonstrating a model for supporting children in school during and after treatment.
🔗 Read the publication: https://continuityineducation.org/articles/10.5334/cie.288

• 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗮 and 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲 also contributed to the American Society of Hematology’s 2026 guidelines for adolescents and young adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. These guidelines provide clear recommendations to help guide care decisions and support more consistent, informed treatment.
🔗 Learn more about Michelle’s guidelines: https://ashpublications.org/bloodadvances/article/doi/10.1182/bloodadvances.2021006479/566562/ASH-2026-Guidelines-for-Management-of-Relapsed
🔗 Learn more about Anastasia’s guidelines: https://ashpublications.org/bloodadvances/article/doi/10.1182/bloodadvances.2021006469/566561/ASH-2026-Guidelines-for-Frontline-Management-of

Together, this work reflects a continued commitment to improving how children and families facing cancer or serious blood disorders are supported at every step of care. 💙

Pictured L-R, by row: Quinn Franklin, Carol Herron, Anastasia Deeter, Mashal Kara, Ashley Matthews, and Michelle Fritsch

ℹ️🏥 Texas Children's and UT MD Anderson Cancer Center are joining forces to launch the Kinder Children's Cancer Center. Learn more: kinderchildrenscancercenter.org

Today we're celebrating Erin Locke and her 18th anniversary with The Periwinkle Foundation!

For nearly two decades, Erin has helped create meaningful experiences for children, families, volunteers, and survivors through camps, arts programs, and community events. Her passion, leadership, and dedication have helped shape countless memories and connections across the Periwinkle community.

Erin, thank you for 18 years of service, compassion, and commitment to our mission. Your impact can be seen in every smile, friendship, and moment of joy you've helped make possible. We are grateful for all you do and proud to celebrate this milestone with you!

Help us Fill the Bus! Our goal is to raise $100,000 to send more than 500 children and families challenged by cancer and other life-threatening illnesses to camp. Your support helps provide a community of connection, friendship, and fun through Periwinkle's camp programs. Together, we can make sure every child has the opportunity to experience the magic of camp.

This Memorial Day, we give sincere thanks for the men and women who have given their lives in service to our country.

Thank you to CultureMap for capturing the magic of this year’s Twinkle of Periwinkle Gala.

Houston gala sparkles with heart and high-energy giving Spring Affair