Valley Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center is honored to announce that Fresno Truck Center has generously donated $2 million to support the Childhood Cancer Survivorship Program Endowment at Valley Children’s. In recognition of this gift, the program is now “The Fresno Truck Center Childhood Cancer Survivorship Program.”

“It is our privilege to make this financial commitment on behalf of our loyal customers,” said Doug Howard, president of Fresno Truck Center. “Together, we will improve the quality of care available to cancer survivors and make a positive impact in the lives of hundreds of survivors of pediatric cancer and their families.”

Fresno Truck Center is the Freightliner and Western Star commercial truck dealership owned and operated by the Howard family for more than 90 years.

Dr. Vinod Balasa, medical director of Valley Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center added: “This program caters to a huge unmet need among these individuals. The support provided by Fresno Truck Center is extremely valuable and very much appreciated.”

Fresno Truck Center and the Howard family have been supporters of Valley Children’s for more than 50 years. On behalf of their customers, the Howard family customarily purchased equipment each year needed by our clinical teams. This year’s transformational investment will ensure long-term funding for our Survivorship program.

Up to two-thirds of childhood cancer survivors experience late effects. Most remain unaware of their health risks and how to reduce them. The Fresno Truck Center Childhood Cancer Survivorship Program is the only one of its kind in the region, working with cancer-free patients from Valley Children’s and other facilities who are three years from completion of treatment by providing education, support and health maintenance.

Valley Children’s program offers academic and vocational scholarships to members, holds an annual conference in partnership with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and promotes several event opportunities throughout the year for childhood cancer survivors, their family members and healthcare professionals.

There are currently 1,800 members in the program that is led by led by program director Dr. John Gates, who is a Valley Children’s Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist and the Margaret Corasick Endowed Chair of Cancer Survivorship.

We are delighted to share that Valley Children’s Hospital has been named a Designated Platinum Center of Excellence by the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO). This is the highest level of international recognition that can be achieved for our extracorporeal life support (ECLS) program, making Valley Children’s one out of only 16 national and international ECLS centers (adult, pediatric or neonatal) to receive the ELSO Award for 2023-2025. 

ECLS, or extracorporeal membrane oxygen (ECMO), is one of the most advanced forms of life support available to patients experiencing potentially reversible acute failure of the cardio-respiratory system that is not responding to other therapies. The ECMO machine assumes the roles of the lungs and heart by providing oxygen and blood flow to the body, allowing these organs to rest and heal over a period of time, increasing chances for recovery.  

The ELSO Award recognizes centers worldwide that demonstrate an exceptional commitment to evidence-based processes and quality measures, staff training and continuing education, patient satisfaction and ongoing clinical care. Valley Children’s patient outcomes have been in the top 10% to 15% in the world compared to other ELSO centers.  

“The ELSO award is a testament to the renowned expertise of our staff, and their dedication to improving the health of kids throughout the Central Valley and beyond,” said Dr. David Christensen, Valley Children’s Senior Vice President, Chief Physician Executive, and President of Valley Children's Medical Group. 

Valley Children’s was the first hospital to perform ECLS in the Central Valley. Through philanthropy, Valley Children's dramatically expanded the ECLS Program in 2016 in order to offer this potentially lifesaving support to more kids facing heart and lung failure. Valley Children’s is still the only program in the entire Central Valley providing this treatment for infants and children who are in need of the most advanced care. Supporting the ECLS Program's ongoing needs for new equipment, staff training, and staff certification remains a top priority for Valley Children's to raise funds. If you are interested, please contact Valley Children's Healthcare Foundation at 559-353-7100, or via email at foundation@valleychildrens.org. 

Our CMN Hospitals partner, ACE Hardware, is raising much needed funds during the holidays for Valley Children's. While you're visiting your local ACE Hardware this holiday season, please consider donating at the register.

Join the Harlan Ranch community for their 3rd annual Jingle Walk to benefit Valley Children's Hospital. Attendees can meet at the Harlan Ranch Clubhouse parking lot located at 1620 N. Leonard Ave., Clovis, CA 93619, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. There will be coffee, hot chocolate and muffins available at the clubhouse before the morning starts, and several fun stops along the way. Festive attire is encouraged. The cost to register for the walk is $5.00, and all proceeds go to support Valley Children's Hospital. Click here to register.