Highland’s Leap of Love childhood cancer fighters celebrating 10-year anniversary

Ten years have zipped by for Traci Riechmann.

The founder of Highland’s Leaps of Love, Riechmann and the organization are celebrating their 10-year anniversary with a special event in February.

“I think I’m still kind of in shock,” she said. “It’s been the fastest 10 years of my life I think. I remember the day I was deciding to start an organization ... celebrating 10 years is pretty exciting.”

Leaps of Love — which also goes by LOL — centers around embracing families affected by childhood brain tumors and late-effects of childhood cancer. Riechmann started Leaps of Love in 2010, beginning with just 60 families. Since its inception, the organization has serviced more than 440 families and 1,062 children.

“It’s very overwhelming,” Riechmann said. “We started out with this low number and unfortunately the brain tumors in childhood cancers are getting just crazy. I cannot even tell you many how brain tumors there are for children these days. There are so many different mutations of brain tumors growing rapidly. I’m still a believer it’s the foods we eat ... the pesticides in the environment now.

“Nobody is putting their finger on what’s causing this in children, but they’re getting younger and younger.”

Among its many endeavors, Leaps of Love educates families on the late effects of childhood cancer. Riechmann noted even when children beat the cancer, various pitfalls can develop to include cognitive issues, amputations and second and third types of cancer because of the arsenic being put into the childrens’ young bodies.

“When you put radiation and chemo in these very young children, they’re setting up for a lifetime of health issues,” Riechmann said. “So we help with educating families about the late effects of the cancer.”

Leaps of Love has added another component to its cause. According to Riechmann, St. Louis Children’s Hospital started a new clinic late last summer to help families with cancer predisposition syndrome. In turn, the hospital asked Leaps of Love if it would help by helping put together support groups, etc.

“With cancer predisposition syndrome, kids will be tested early and on a regular basis so if/when they get cancer it’ll get caught at an earlier stage,” Riechmann said. “So that’s a new challenge for us as well.”

10-year celebration event

The 10-year anniversary will be on, ironically, Leap Day — Saturday, Feb. 29.

When Riechmann saw it was a Leap Year and that the 29th fell on a Saturday, she knew it was fate.

“When I saw it was Leap Year, on a Saturday and it being 10 years ... I couldn’t have asked for anything better,” she said. “It’s great.”

The celebration will take place at Copper Dock Winery, 498 White Oaks Lane, Pocahontas. Doors open at 6 p.m. and dueling pianos will be from 7-10 p.m.

People can purchase tickets at the Leaps of Love website, https://www.leapsoflove.org/ or by texting duelingpianos to 71777. Cost is $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Individuals who pre-purchase tickets by Saturday, Feb. 15, will receive free entry into the all inclusive Reflect Krystal three-night giveaway in Puerto Vallarta. Drinks are available for purchase; appetizers provided.

The event will feature a silent auction and music provided by Spanky Entertainment Dueling Pianos.

“It’s a new, fresh idea in the area doing the dueling pianos,” Riechmann said. “There will be a lot of audience participation throughout the night. We’re just hoping to get everybody up and involved and learning a bit more about Leaps of Love and how they can make an effect and difference in these lives Leaps of Love already embraces.”

Riechmann said she is working on getting more items for the silent auction and raffles and that she’s still looking for sponsorships. She also noted people do not need to be present to win the Puerto Vallarta getaway and that they are working on providing airfare for the trip.

“There are sponsorship opportunities for the night of the event or if anyone is willing to donate an item or experience to help us raise some more funds, that would be amazing,” Riechmann said.

Additional fundraisers in 2020

Leaps of Love will host several other fundraisers throughout the year. Per their website, these events bring awareness and needed funds to support childhood cancer survivors and their families. These fundraising events include:

• Thursday, May 7: Give STL Day
• Saturday, Aug. 1: LOL Night At The Races
• Friday, Nov. 6: $10,000 Dinner Dance
• Share Your Love Program. This is a year long adoption program/fundraiser
• Amazon Smile
• Prairie Farms | Our Caps Your Cause
• Schnucks eScrip (donating a portion of purchases to support Leaps of Love)
• CFC (Combined Federal Campaign #30203)

About Leaps of Love

According to the Leaps of Love website, “With the growing number of children diagnosed every day, our goal is to help these families engage together and give them hope, strength and encouragement to endure the challenges everyone in the family faces. Family retreats, social events, outings, workshops and more can help give these families the opportunity to strengthen their lives with the support, wisdom and encouragement of others who have experienced similar scenarios to theirs.”

Moreover, Leaps of Love assists childhood cancer families with areas of focus to include brain tumors and late-effects of their treatments. All services and programs are free of charge.

Located at 1005 Broadway in Highland, Leaps of Love is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday and closed Saturday-Sunday. For more information or to donate to Leaps of Love, call Riechmann at 618-410-7212.

This story was originally published January 18, 2020 at 11:40 PM.