childhood cancer

MADERA, Calif. – A fundraiser at Valley Children’s Hospital brought the community together to support pediatric cancer research, with participants cutting or shaving their hair to raise awareness and donations. The annual “Conquer Kids’ Cancer” fundraiser was organized by the St.…

Chelsea Harkness stands and smiles inside Valley Children's Hospital in Madera.

Former Valley Children’s Patient Now Leads Innovation Lab to Improve Pediatric Care

December 4, 2025

MADERA, Calif. – Chelsea Harkness grew up walking the halls of Valley Children’s Hospital as a patient battling acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Today, she’s back in those same hallways – but now she’s leading efforts to innovate and improve care for…

Dr. Ruetima Titapiwatanakun shows a tablet to a patient and her mother during a visit to Valley Children's.

St. Baldrick’s Grant Will Expand Childhood Cancer Research at Valley Children’s

December 1, 2025

MADERA, Calif. – A $25,000 grant from the St. Baldrick’s Foundation will help Valley Children’s bring more lifesaving pediatric cancer clinical trials to kids in the Central Valley. The funding, which was awarded to Valley Children’s Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist Dr. Ruetima Titapiwatanakun,…

A young girl sits in bleacher seats at Valley Children's Stadium and smiles.

Meet Fresno State Kid Captain Abigail

October 24, 2025

FRESNO, Calif. – Each football season, Valley Children’s Healthcare teams up with Fresno State for a once-in-a-lifetime experience for patients. At every home football game, one Valley Children’s patient is selected to be the Kid Captain of the game. At…

Royce Madrid smiles while playing with his father, Rudy, in his grandparent's backyard.

CAR T-Cell Therapy Saved Royce’s Life – It’s Coming to Valley Children’s Soon

October 10, 2025

PORTERVILLE, Calif. – A cutting-edge cancer treatment that reprograms the body’s own immune cells saved a Porterville child’s life – and it’s coming soon to Valley Children’s, offering hope to families in Central California facing the most devastating diagnoses. Royce…

Camp Sunshine Dreams Creating Community for Kids Impacted by Cancer

September 9, 2025

HUNTINGTON LAKE, Calif. – At Camp Sunshine Dreams, having cancer is secondary to being a kid. For one week each summer, children impacted by cancer gather to experience something rare: a place where everyone understands their journey. Held at Camp Keola…

‘Don’t Talk About It, Be About It’: Patient’s Lemonade Stand Raises Thousands for Cancer Research

September 8, 2025

KERMAN, Calif. – This summer, Savanah Velasquez used a lemonade stand to fund pediatric brain tumor research and support the ongoing battle against the disease. It’s a fight the 8-year-old and her family know personally. Diagnosed with a low-grade glioma…

‘We’ll Fight Together’: From Patient to Caregiver at Valley Children’s Hospital

September 3, 2025

MADERA, Calif. – When Mirella Jimenez tells young cancer patients that they’ll fight together, she means it. A childhood cancer survivor herself, Jimenez now works at Valley Children’s Hospital and uses her story to inspire the next generation of fighters.…

‘A Wild Ride:’ Founder of Valley’s First Pediatric Oncology Program Retires

August 15, 2025

MADERA, Calif. – After nearly four decades and thousands of patients seen, the founder of the region’s first pediatric oncology program is retiring from Valley Children’s Healthcare. Dr. Vonda Crouse, a pioneering pediatric hematologist/oncologist, was greeted by colleagues at Valley…

childhood cancer

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Volunteers Shave Heads, Rally Donations for Pediatric Cancer Research