Jeff and Gaye Benson find special meaning in their support after their granddaughter’s cancer diagnosis
Jeff Benson has always had a connection to children’s hospitals. His brother was born with spina bifida and lived a full life, thanks to his local children’s hospital in Atlanta, despite never being able to walk. His niece recovered from an inflammatory illness at CHKD and is treated by a comprehensive team for Type 1 diabetes.
He’s always been inspired by philanthropy, too. As a partner in The Overton Group, a commercial real estate firm, and a Vice Chair of the TowneBank Board of Directors, Jeff has seen the difference community support can make. “Both organizations have shown me great examples of why it’s important to give back,” says Jeff. “My wife Gaye and I have always tried to do that.”
The Bensons had been making gifts to CHKD for decades. But in March of 2023, after a tour of Children’s Pavilion, the pair says their eyes were opened to the magnitude of CHKD’s work, and they decided to make a significant pledge to support the hospital’s mission.
At the time, they had no idea how vital the hospital would soon become for their family. Just six months later, their granddaughter, Emmy Helvig, who had just celebrated her fifth birthday and started kindergarten, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. “Our decision to give to CHKD came home,” says Jeff.
Their family quickly went from helping Emmy ride her new bike to holding her hand as she was prepped for spinal taps and congratulating her for walking the full length of the hall in the Hematology and Oncology Unit.
“Our firsthand experience intensifies and further encourages us to provide continued support to the hospital,” Jeff says. “Our eyes have been opened wider to the broad scope of what CHKD does – how they provide not only medical care but also hope and encouragement and support beyond treatment.”
Emmy’s care inspired Jeff to accept an invitation to serve on CHKD’s Philanthropy Council, a group dedicated to supporting the hospital’s mission through outreach and advocacy. “I had a level of appreciation for what CHKD does stepping into this role, but after a year or two, I have a greater understanding of the depth and breadth of what CHKD needs to continue doing what it does so well,” he says. “The more support we can gather, the more opportunities CHKD has to help kids and families right here at home.”
After Emmy’s diagnosis, the Bensons and their family were able to find hope and relief: “How our family stepped in and leaned into our faith, which is real and important to us, coupled with CHKD’s ability to assess and provide the care and treatment they began providing immediately, allowed us to become hopeful and prepared for what lay ahead.”
Emmy’s mom and the Bensons’ daughter, Amanda Helvig, says CHKD has been a blessing to their family. “CHKD hasn’t just cared for her body – they’ve cared for her spirit,” she says. “It’s doctors teaching Emmy’s brother magic tricks to distract him while she gets her port accessed. It’s the volunteers who make her feel seen with new craft ideas. It’s the nurses who know to find the unicorn Band-Aids when she comes to the clinic. They make sure she can still be a kid, even in the middle of cancer treatment.”
Today, Emmy is in the maintenance phase of her treatment and she’s getting stronger every day. “Seeing her dance, laugh, and ride her bike again is a gift I will never take for granted,” says Amanda.
The Bensons know their family’s journey would not have been possible without a children’s hospital like CHKD; the experience drives them to ensure CHKD can be there for all children.
“CHKD is a very fundamental piece of our community,” says Jeff. “Having it in the Hampton Roads area is important, and philanthropic support is necessary to allow CHKD to continue to stay here and grow here.”
Published in CHKD's KidStuff Magazine, Fall 2025
Written by Brandi Potts • Photograph by Ken Mountain