At 105 years old, Rodger Jensen recently returned to a place that holds particular meaning for him and his family, The Chapel at Valley Children's Hospital.

Sunlight poured through the stained glass as Mr. Jensen took in the sanctuary his family’s generosity helped create. From the beginning, the Jensen family envisioned a space that would welcome every visitor, no matter their faith tradition. Through the generosity of Rodger and Margaret Jensen, along with Douglas and Marjie Jensen, the Chapel was created as a peaceful place of reflection, comfort and spiritual support for families, visitors and staff. 

To bring that vision to life, they commissioned renowned stained glass artisan Ara “Corky” Frank Normart Jr., whose work continues to bathe the Chapel in color and quiet beauty. Mr. Jensen has given faithfully to Spiritual Services year after year, recognizing that healing often happens where there are no charts or monitors.

Mr. Jensen's bond with Valley Children's goes back decades. He served on the Hospital's Board of Trustees from 1956 to 1961, and his son Doug Jensen carried the legacy forward on the Hospital Board of Trustee from 1975 to 1977 and from 1981 to 1993, along with time on the Foundation Board.

Before farming the Madera land that helped establish him as a pioneer of the local pistachio industry, Mr. Jensen flew B-29s in the South Pacific during World War II, serving from 1941 to 1946. He came home to build a life with Margaret, his wife of 76 years, who passed away on July 2, 2018.

To learn more about how you can support Spiritual and Chaplain Services click here.

This past month, Valley Children’s proudly hosted the fifth annual Cancer Survivorship Scholarship Ceremony, honoring recipients from the Fresno Truck Center Childhood Cancer Survivorship Program. These inspiring young individuals have triumphed over significant health challenges and are now pursuing their academic dreams thanks to the generous support of our donors.

Since the program’s launch, the Cancer Survivorship Scholarship Fund has grown substantially, from just 13 applicants in 2022 to 106 applicants in 2026. Each scholarship recipient received $1,000 to help ease the financial burden of higher education.

This program’s impact is a testament to the power of community support. With each new scholarship awarded, we are helping survivors take the next step toward achieving their academic and career goals, setting them on a path to success.

A special thank you to our donors:

The Fresno Truck Center

J.G. Boswell Foundation

Calibuilt Graphics

D.R. Horton - America's Builder

Fresno Lexus and Lexus Financial Services

Chris Harrington

Oscar and Esmerelda Lopez

Mrs. Elaine McCain

Sean Murphy

NGC Construction, Inc.

Sarbjit Pannu and Parminder Kaur

The Ritchie Family

The Robertson Family

True Greenscapes

Nick and Liz Wagner

Neil and Donna Zwart

Mrs. Margaret Corisack, Endowed Chair Childhood Cancer Survivorship Program

Click here to learn about how you can support the Childhood Cancer Survivorship Program!

We’re proud to recognize Jason Luna, Mark Garcia, and Steven Andersen for each surpassing $25,000 raised in support of Valley Children’s through Extra Life. Their dedication and generosity have made a lasting difference for kids and families who rely on the hospital.

Each of them brings a deeply personal connection to this mission. Jason was inspired by the care his daughter received at Valley Children’s, sharing that every donation reminds him they’re truly making a change and that “when we play, the kids win.” Mark gives back in gratitude for the surgery that changed his life 40 years ago, returning each year with the hope of helping a family facing what his family once did. Steven uses what he loves to bring hope to others, believing that every dollar raised is another step toward giving families strength during difficult moments.

We are deeply grateful for the heart, time and commitment each of them has poured into Extra Life. Their impact will continue to ripple through our community for years to come.

Last month, we had the joy of celebrating our longtime partners in philanthropy, Phi Mu at Stanislaus State, during their signature Warriorthon event. Their energy, creativity and heartfelt commitment to our mission were on full display as they rallied their campus community in support of the children we serve.

Through their incredible efforts, Phi Mu raised an outstanding $12,681 this year. We are deeply grateful for their dedication and thrilled to celebrate this remarkable achievement alongside them. Their passion continues to make a meaningful difference for our patients and families.

Valley Children’s Hospital is honored to recognize Gustine Elementary School and the Gustine Unified School District for their outstanding support through this year’s Penny War fundraiser. The school community raised more than $1,000, demonstrating remarkable dedication to improving the lives of children across the region.

The Penny War has become a beloved tradition at Gustine Elementary, engaging students, educators and families in friendly competition with a profound purpose. Their generosity directly strengthens the care we provide and reinforces the vital role community partners play in advancing our mission. We extend our sincere appreciation for their ongoing commitment to the children we serve.

This June, celebrate National Upcycling Day by turning your unwanted clothing and shoes into something meaningful. Instead of contributing to waste, your donations can help support Valley Children’s and give these items a new purpose. With Just Porch It, getting involved is easy. Simply bag your gently used items, schedule your free pickup online and leave them on your porch at the designated time. Their team will collect everything for you—no hassle, no stress. Together, small actions can create a big impact for the kids and families at Valley Children’s. Click here to learn more!

Let’s join forces to support kids and families in the Central Valley during the upcoming Walmart and Sam’s Club Children’s Miracle Network® campaign, benefiting Valley Children’s Hospital! From June 8 through July 6, you can make a difference by donating in store, online or through the Walmart app while shopping at your local Walmart or Sam’s Club location. Stop by your local store to thank the team for their dedication or join one of the many community events happening throughout the campaign!

For more than 40 years, Marriott has been a proud supporter of CMN. Starting now, when you purchase select PepsiCo products at any participating Marriott location, a portion of that sale will be donated to Valley Children’s Hospital. Stay cool this summer with your favorite Pepsi beverage and make a difference in the life of a child we serve in our community, now through August 31!

Enjoy even more reasons to stop by your local Dairy Queen! Now through July 30, participating locations are holding their Miracle Balloon Icon Campaign for CMN, benefiting Valley Children’s Hospital. Be sure to stop by for Miracle Treat Day on July 29!

The Pulse champions the health of kids with stories that highlight patient journeys, physician expertise and the nation-leading impact of Valley Children’s Healthcare throughout the Central Valley. We aim to be a trusted and timely source of accurate information and an advocate for the communities we serve. Check out The Pulse at valleychildrens.org/ThePulse

Valley Children's Healthcare Foundation

(559) 353-7100

ValleyChildrens.org/Foundation