As we wrapped up Kids Day 2023, we thanked our sponsors, site leaders and Kids Day winners for their efforts by hosting a Victory Celebration on the South Lawn at Valley Children's Hospital. It was wonderful that so many of our awardees, sponsors and partners were able to attend. Guests were greeted by Valley Children's mascot, George, and enjoyed a special lunch prepared by Valley Children's own Chef Robert Ortiz and his team. During the program, the top Kids Day fundraisers in their respective categories were honored for their extraordinary volunteerism. Also in attendance was this year's Kids Day ambassador, Connor, and his family. Congratulations to all the top fundraisers for Kids Day 2023!

Click below to watch highlights from the Victory Celebration and other photos of these exceptional volunteers on Kids Day.

We are grateful for the thousands of volunteers who woke up early and hit the streets for Kids Day. Please enjoy a highlight reel from the morning of Kids Day throughout the Central Valley.

On April 14, Valley Children's Adaptive Sports program held "An Evening of Inspiration" Gala. The program's staff welcomed guests for cocktails, dinner and a silent auction. The evening's program continued with dancing, fun photos and an inspirational message from a special guest speaker, Jorge Sanchez, who is a wheelchair basketball Paralympic gold medalist. Perhaps the most moving moment of the evening was the recognition awards that were presented to athletes, coaches and volunteers who participate in the program.

An Evening of Inspiration gala highlighted both the program and the accomplishments that participating athletes have made in the past year. Proceeds raised from the gala support the Adaptive Sports Program to provide kids with physical disabilities with a recreational and athletic experience while building their confidence and independence. We are thankful for all the supporters that made this such a successful event.

Last month, Valley Children’s pet therapy program, which is known here at Valley Children's as "George’s Pals," celebrated its volunteers and their canine companions during a special ceremony and were presented with new Valley Children's aprons and bandanas.

In addition to celebrating its volunteers and canine companions, George’s Pals recently received a financial boost thanks to the hard work and dedication of students from Patricia Kay Beaver Leadership Magnet Elementary School in Ceres. Teacher Gaylyn Barker mentioned raising funds for Valley Children’s to her first-grade class for their community service project and shared her personal experience with the George’s Pals program.

“Six years ago, my own daughter was in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Valley Children's,” said Gaylyn. “We will never forget the way her face lit up when Lucy, a West Highland white terrier, laid on her bed to cuddle with her or the slow walks she would take in the PICU with a gentle Labrador retriever.”

Gaylyn added, “These dogs will forever have a special place in my heart because of the emotional impact they had on our daughter during a very difficult time.”

George’s Pals volunteer Mary, golden retriever Dulcie, our Volunteer Services team and George were honored guests at the school last week, where they were presented with a $1,100 donation.

At 16 years old, Gabby was an active teenager who spent much of her free time with her family. One morning while dropping off Gabby for school, Gabby’s mom noticed Gabby dragging her left leg as she was walking from the car. Gabby shared that she felt severe tingling and numbness on her entire left side, which was alarming. That day, school drop-off turned into a visit to a local hospital, which later resulted in a transfer to Valley Children’s Hospital in Madera. Gabby was diagnosed with NF2 – she had tumors of the rarest kind around her spine and nerves involved with hearing. Her weakness was caused by the development of a cervical meningioma that, if left untreated, would have left her paralyzed from the neck down, in need of a ventilator to breath, and would likely have taken her life.

“There are limited treatment options for patients like Gabby, but we were able to perform a neurosurgical resection and will follow her closely for recurrence and the possible need for radiation therapy,” explained Valley Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Neuro-oncologist, Dr. Audrey Green-Murphy.

“After Gabby’s second surgery, we got a glimpse of her old self again,” said Alexandria, Gabby’s sister. “And today, she is happy, healthy and back to being active with the family again. We prayed for a miracle, and I really believe that our prayers were answered in the form of what is Gabby’s care team at Valley Children’s. They saved her life.”

Our CMN Hospitals partner, Costco, is raising much needed funds for Valley Children's during the month of May. While you're visiting your local Costco this month, please consider donating at the register!