Hanford Teen Uses Livestock Sale to Support Patients at Valley Children’s

Published September 18, 2025

A Central Valley high school student turned her passion for agriculture into a powerful act of giving, donating nearly $7,000 from her livestock auction to Valley Children’s.

Graysen Lopes, a senior at Sierra Pacific High School in Hanford, auctioned her market lamb at the Kings County Fair this summer for $6,900. She donated the entire amount to the Kings Guild of Valley Children’s.

“I decided to donate the money to Valley Children’s because I’m fortunate enough to show animals and do what I love while others do not,” Graysen said. “I wanted to give back to kids who are struggling.”

Her donation will support two major initiatives led by the Guilds of Valley Children’s: the Guilds Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Endowment, a $10 million investment to expand and enhance the hospital’s ECMO program, and the Guilds of Valley Children’s Healthcare Endowment, which supports a range of services across the healthcare network.

“Graysen’s generous gift to Valley Children’s is a true reflection of her heart for the hospital and her spirit of giving back to the community,” said Kings Guild member and Coordinating Council Director Lynette Duston.

For Graysen, the donation was an opportunity to give back to a cause that’s personal for her family.

“I’ve had multiple family members stay at Valley Children’s time and time again,” she said. “My parents were part of the Guilds as well, so that inspired me to go out of my way and give back.”

She credits her support system for helping her reach her goal.

“People around me helped me spread the word that I was going to donate, and my community was there for me along the whole way,” Graysen said.

“It feels rewarding knowing that I will be helping children in need. I am beyond excited to give money where it’s needed.”

To learn more about the Guilds’ current endowments, click here.