The Leon S. Peters Foundation has generously donated $1 million to Valley Children’s to establish “The Endowed Chair of Oncology and Hematology, Donated by Leon S. Peters,” and create “The Leon S. Peters Oncology and Hematology Endowment” at Valley Children's.

“The Leon S. Peters Foundation has a rich legacy of generous investment across the Valley and to Valley Children’s mission at both our main campus in Madera and our outpatient center in Fowler,” said Todd Suntrapak, President and CEO of Valley Children’s Healthcare. “The Peters family’s most recent gift will have a multigenerational, positive impact on the care that Valley Children’s provides for pediatric oncology and hematology patients. We are tremendously grateful for their support.”

“The Leon S. Peters Foundation’s gift towards an Endowed Chair of Oncology and Hematology is a resounding affirmation of the magnificent work being performed at the Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Valley Children’s Hospital,” said Dr. Vinod Balasa, Division Chief and Medical Director of the Cancer and Blood Disorders Center. “This gift and the creation of an endowed chair will greatly enhance the mission and vision of the Hematology and Oncology Departments . . . to provide the best care for children suffering from life-threatening cancer and other blood disorders right where they live. I am truly honored and sincerely humbled to be the first individual to hold this prestigious endowed chair position as we continue our efforts towards ensuring that state-of-the-art care is available for these affected children and families -- right here, right now. A big thank you to the Leon S. Peters Foundation for their generosity.”

To read the full News Story click here.

On Friday, August 6, Valley Children’s Healthcare and Panda Express co-hosted a livestreamed ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the opening of the Panda Cares Center of Hope.

The Panda Cares Center of Hope is a specialized space at Valley Children's Hospital that inspires hope and promotes healing by providing specially curated programs that address a child’s entire well-being, including their physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs. Programs offered at the Panda Cares Center of Hope include therapeutic play, art therapy, meditation and counseling services, designed to give children the courage and strength to grow.

“Since 2009, Valley Children’s has been the beneficiary of Panda Express’ incredible philanthropic support,” said Valley Children’s Healthcare Foundation President Robert Saroyan. “The millions of dollars invested in Valley Children’s has ensured that children we serve receive the very best care. We are so delighted to honor Panda Express with the establishment of the Panda Cares Center of Hope, a vital place in the hospital where patients can heal and thrive.”

Made possible by donations from Panda Express guests and associates from Merced to Porterville, Panda Express has raised more than $3.1 million for Valley Children’s over the past 12 years.

Click here to see what the Panda Cares Center of Hope means in the life of a child through the eyes of patient Norah Kerr.

The 7th Annual ABC30 "Futures Worth Fighting For" Telethon took place on August 12, 2021. The event raised a grand total of $135,360 to benefit Valley Children's Hospital.

For an entire day, ABC30 Action News' co-anchors, Landon Burke and Warren Armstrong, covered the exciting event, which featured inspiring stories from Valley Children's patient families and information on the vital services Valley Children's provides to the nearly 1.4 million children living in our service area. Volunteers from all over the Central Valley enthusiastically rang bells as they finished recording each donation that came in through the phone lines and held signs encouraging viewers to donate.

We want to express a special thank you to the team at ABC30 Action News, as well as volunteers and donors, for your continued support of the annual ABC30 "Futures Worth Fighting For" Telethon. A huge thank you to our sponsors for their remarkable contribution to the event. We are truly grateful for the generosity of our Central Valley community!

Over the last several years, Ray and Mary Lou Steele have generously invested in Valley Children's pediatric specialty care services offered in Fowler at the beautiful facility shared with Adventist Health - Central Valley Network. Mr. and Mrs. Steele grew up in Fowler and have been longtime supporters of Valley Children's. Mr. Steele was the president and publisher of The Fresno Bee for many years and was instrumental in Kids Day's success during that time.

Earlier this summer, the sculpture pictured at right was erected in celebration of Mr. and Mrs. Steele's generosity. The sculpture, designed by world-renowned local artist Corky Normart, depicts many regional elements that are of significance to Central Valley residents and Fowler residents in particular.

Thank you to the Steele family for their lifetime of support. You have made a remarkable impact on the lives of kids for generations.

Our 23rd Annual Kiss Country for Kids Radiothon is coming up Thursday, September 9 through Friday, September 10, 2021. Kiss Country will be live with your favorite DJs, Gnarley Charley and Jody Jo. They'll be airing interviews with patients and families sharing their incredible stories of hope and healing, and providing this generous community with opportunities to support Valley Children's Hospital. Thank you to Kiss Country for your continued partnership. You are making a tremendous difference in the lives of Central Valley kids.

Our Children's Miracle Network Hospitals partner, Love's Travel Stops, is fundraising for Valley Children's from now through the end of September. Please stop by a Love's Travel Stop on your next road trip and consider making a donation at the register.

We are excited to announce that our local Kiwanis groups are teaming up to host “Run 4 the Miracle,” a 5k, 2-mile, 1-mile and Kids ¼-mile run/walk to raise money for Valley Children's. We are so grateful to be partners with Kiwanis International through Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. To run with us, please click here!