Chaplain Karl Funk brings a smile to Andrew's face. | |
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Recently the Foundation team enjoyed a visit with Rob and Sherry Fritts. The Fritts family loves to visit the hospital annually to check on everyone and to provide a donation in honor of their son, Lance, who was a leukemia patient at Valley Children's for four years in the 1990's. Sadly, Lance passed away when he was just 19 years old, but his legacy lives on in the lives of many. Sherry and Rob say that Lance inspired his peers to become doctors, philanthropists, and even organ donors. To this day they often get messages from people who were in high school with Lance who want them to know what they are doing now and how Lance has been their inspiration.
One of Lance's great joys was attending Camp Sunshine Dreams, and later becoming a counselor there. Camp Sunshine Dreams is located at Huntington Lake. Founded in 1986, the camp has grown from 25 campers with cancer to over 100 campers: cancer patients as well as their siblings. Recognizing the special needs of childhood cancer patients as well as their siblings helps make this magical camp experience safe and healing for all involved. All of the kids get to attend camp for one week in the summer free of charge. This is accomplished through the help of fundraisers, donations, and the many counselors and medical professionals who volunteer their time year after year.
The Fritts family has given a donation for Camp Sunshine Dreams in person every year since their son's passing, as well as planning an estate gift for Valley Children's Hospital. Their time spent here with Lance was right in the middle of the big move from the former Valley Children's campus on Shields Ave to the new Madera "castle on a hill," and they have the SWAG to prove it! Lance's were the first x-rays ever taken on the Madera campus. Lance's battle with cancer had some highs where he thought the worst was behind him, and he adored being a counselor at Camp Sunshine Dreams. But in 1999 his cancer was back, and he was too sick to attend camp. The campers all signed a t-shirt for him. At their visits to the hospital, the Fritts share these mementos with those who helped them and Lance through his battle, reminding everyone of the importance of every small kindness shown to patients and their families. Thank you to Rob, Sherry, and Lance, for all that your generosity, inspiration, and caring visits do to help us continue to provide kids with the best care.
If you would like to learn more about Camp Sunshine Dreams, click here.
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On May 17th, the Fresno Truck Center Childhood Cancer Survivorship Program, along with the Foundation team, hosted the third annual Cancer Survivorship Scholarship Award Ceremony at Valley Children's Hospital. Thanks to generous support from philanthropists like you, 48 young adults were awarded scholarships of $1,000 each.
Each awardee applied for the scholarship with an essay and letters of recommendation. They will be attending schools all over California, with some headed to schools in Arizona, Wyoming, and Hawaii, and with 31% of them pursuing a career in the medical field.
The Childhood Cancer Survivorship Program was adopted by the Fresno Truck Center in 2022 (story here), and we were honored to have Doug and Tammy Howard present at the ceremony. Margaret Corasick, who has been a benevolent advocate of the program, was also present to cheer on the awardees.
Emily Carpenter, who was going through chemotherapy during last year's ceremony and had addressed the crowd at that time promising to "be here next year," was not only present but also addressed the group. She has since finished chemotherapy, started a non-profit called "Golden Positivity" for 13–18-year-old cancer patients (Instagram @Golden_Positivity_), and was herself a scholarship awardee this year. Emily plans to go to Cal Poly and is studying Biomedical Engineering.
Awardees and families took photos with Dr. Gates, Dr. Crouse and George, had cake, and got to reunite with some of the amazing oncology team. They also got to catch up with their peers, as part of the Cancer Survivorship program encourages peer relationship with other survivors as a key to their success throughout the amazingly unique life after cancer.
We cannot express enough thanks to all of the donors like you who make celebrations and opportunities like this possible for our patients, past and present. Moments like these truly shine light on our motto, "Futures Worth Fighting For".
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On May 29, more than 130 employees from 32 Walmart and Sam’s Club locations in the Central Valley attended the annual Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals campaign kickoff at the Hospital. We celebrated Walmart and Sam’s Club's incredible achievement of raising a record-breaking total of $537,615 in 2023. The top 2023 fundraising locations in the Central Valley were also recognized during the event. Since 1991, Walmart has raised more than $6.2 million for Valley Children’s.
During the meeting, the associates also heard from our healthcare providers who shared how funds raised go directly to funding critical patient care services and programs. Our 2024 CMN champion, Davey Jean, and her mom, Brittney, shared their heartfelt story and thanked the associates for helping kids like Davey.
The 2024 Walmart and Sam’s Club CMN campaign will be held June 10 – July 7. Please make sure to stop by your local store to thank them for their support or participate in the many community events at various Walmart and Sam’s Club locations during the campaign. To learn more about Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and their partners, or to become a CMN Hospitals partner, click here.
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Top fundraising stores of 2023 | |  |
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Taco Bell Foundation
Awards Valley Children's
a Community Grant
Valley Children's Hospital was recently awarded a 2024 Community Grant from the Taco Bell Foundation in support of the Childhood Cancer Survivorship Program in the amount of $70,000 . Valley Children’s established the Fresno Truck Center Childhood Cancer Survivorship Program to help survivors of pediatric cancer to thrive post-treatment. The program provides patients with personalized therapy summaries, a tailored risk assessment, screenings, and an annual follow-up care plan. The program has been led since its inception by Dr. John Gates, who is a survivor of pediatric cancer himself. We are so grateful for the Taco Bell Foundation!
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Honda USA Foundation Invests
in Child Passenger Safety
in the Central Valley
We were grateful to again receive a grant award from the Honda USA Foundation for $25,000 to advance Valley Children's Child Passenger Safety Program. Honda USA Foundation's investment will make it possible for 150 families in financial need to receive a car seat for their child at no cost, and thousands of families to receive training on child passenger safety. Honda USA Foundation's gift will also provide training for 40 first responders to become child passenger safety technicians, and 12 current technicians to be trained on the transport of special needs children, all to ensure that kids are safe when riding in the car. Thank you Honda USA Foundation!
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We would like to give a very special thank you to our friends at Black Bear Diner in Los Banos for all of their generous support. On May 18th, Black Bear Diner hosted a fundraiser donating 5% of all sales to benefit Valley Children's Hospital's Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. That day they raised an incredible $1,000. We are very grateful to all of the management, staff, customers and of course Biscuit the Black Bear for their continued support and for helping us make a difference in the lives of our patients and families.
Children's Community Events like this one generate funds for Valley Children's all year long, thanks to generous and creative minds like yours. Every dollar raised at every event directly impacts children's health. If you are interested in hosting a Children's Community Event, contact Belen Oseguera at the Foundation at (559) 353-7100.
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 |  | Did you know how easy it is to turn your unwanted vehicle, boat, or tractor into a gift for Valley Children's? Valley Children's CARS simple process involves free towing, tax benefits, and a chance for you to support a great cause while offloading that unwanted vehicle. Click here today to schedule your pickup, or call 844-589-GIVE. | |
Valley Children's Healthcare Foundation has received the Platinum Seal of Transparency once again for 2024 from Candid (formerly known as GuideStar), an organization that promotes nonprofit transparency by monitoring and evaluating charity performance. This recognition demonstrates Valley Children’s commitment to transparency in fundraising and dedication to stewardship. | |
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Our CMN Hospitals partner, Walmart and Sam's Club, are holding their annual campaign. From June 10 through July 7, you can support Valley Children's at the register of your local Sam's Club or Walmart. Be sure to thank our wonderful associates who help make a huge difference in kids' futures!
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7-Eleven CMN Campaign
June 25 – August 27
Stop by your local 7-Eleven as they campaign for
Valley Children's Hospital
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Starting Labor Day weekend, Spirit Halloween will be holding their annual Spirit of Children in-store campaign. Since 2008, Spirit Halloween has helped support our Child Life Program providing our patients and families with education, play and emotional support during their hospitalization. Be sure to stop by and support Valley Children's! | | |
Did you miss last month's newsletter? View it here. | |
Stay Connected
Valley Children's Healthcare Foundation
(559) 353-7100
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