If you have any questions about the Virtual Toy Drive, please call Valley Children's Healthcare Foundation directly at 559-353-7100 or click here. All donations are greatly appreciated!

St. Baldrick’s Foundation – the largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants in the country – has awarded Valley Children’s Hospital with a $25,000 grant for the coordination and treatment of children on clinical trials, and the advancement of life-saving oncology research.

Valley Children’s grant will partially fund a clinical research associate to ensure that more kids can be treated on clinical trials, often their best hope for a cure. This year, St. Baldrick’s has chosen to award the grant to pediatric hematologist/oncologist Dr. Karen Fernandez.

This series of grants brings the St. Baldrick's Foundation's funding total to more than $19 million awarded in 2020. Since 2005, St. Baldrick's has awarded more than $305 million to support the most promising childhood cancer research, no matter where it takes place.

“St. Baldrick’s Foundation has provided critical support to our Childhood Cancer Survivorship Program since its inception in 2009, helping to sustain a vital service to our patients,” said Dr. Vinod Balasa, medical director of Valley Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center. “This year’s investment in oncology research will help our organization continue to conduct cutting-edge research in the midst of the pandemic. We are so grateful for their generosity spanning more than a decade.”

Since 2009, St. Baldrick’s has awarded more than $533,000 in childhood cancer research grants to Valley Children’s.

When Jose Luis Pastrana went shopping at Costco store #31 in Fresno on September 17, he had no idea there was a fundraising campaign in progress. He had not even heard of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals before. He did, however, know of Valley Children’s Hospital.

In the past, specialists at the hospital had provided treatments and services for his children. When his daughter, now 22, was a young girl, she needed medical care at Valley Children’s. Just three years ago, his son, Angel, broke his arm and needed surgery at the hospital.

Giving to Costco’s CMN campaign was a way for Jose to help others in need. When his son was hospitalized, he remembers paying more than $40,000 cash for the procedure. Jose expressed that he knows there are many families out there not able to pay their children’s medical bills. This was his gesture of sharing his blessings, expressing: “It’s really good that Costco does this and gave me this opportunity.”

We are incredibly grateful for local business owners like Jose Luis who has a heart for giving back to his community.

Thank you to all the gamers and donors who raised $9,201 during Children's Miracle Network Extra Life Game Day! On November 7, 2020, CMN Hospitals Extra Life fundraisers had fun streaming video games and playing tabletop games for 24 hours to raise money for the kids at Valley Children’s. Since its inception in 2008, Extra Life has raised over $70 million for sick and injured kids. Extra Life unites thousands of gamers around the world to play games in support of their local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital.

Select Central Valley C-Stores' are raising funds for Valley Children's Hospital now through February 1, 2021. You can purchase a $1 or $5 Valley Children's paper icon, or drop a donation into one of their change jars. Don't forget to gas up at your local participating C-Store! Click here for locations

Purchase materials for your next home project at Ace Hardware Stores. From November 27 until Christmas, Ace will be gathering donations for Valley Children’s. Be sure to round up at the register!

You can become a part of the DC4KIDS Touchdown Challenge team and receive one signed Derek Carr Las Vegas Raiders Jersey, a DC4 bag and an 8” x 10” autographed photo of Derek Carr. Plus, members receive an invitation for you and up to three guests to attend a special reception with Derek in 2021! For more information or to learn how to sign up please go online to valleychildrens.org/derekcarr, or call Valley Children’s Healthcare Foundation at 559-353-7100.