MADERA, Calif. – Hundreds of patients, families and staff gathered at Valley Children’s on Saturday to celebrate and honor the journeys of those who received support from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), a life-saving intervention used when all other life support measures have failed.
The ECMO Heroes Family Picnic marked its 10th year, bringing together close to 300 people for a day of celebration, reflection and connection.
“For ten years, the ECMO Heroes Family Picnic has brought us together in a way few moments in medicine can – uniting celebration with remembrance, and hope with humility,” said Dr. Harry Kallas, medical director of the Extracorporeal Life Support (ECLS) Program at Valley Children’s.
The annual event featured activities for children and families, including face painting, a DJ, a photo booth and a variety of games. While the afternoon offered plenty of fun, it also served as a meaningful opportunity for families and staff to reconnect long after treatment ended.
“We’re not here by chance, we’re connected by a purpose, and that’s to honor our heroes,” said Dr. Nataly Shildt, associate director of the Extracorporeal Life Support (ECLS) Program at Valley Children’s. “No matter what our background is, we’re all here together and we’re an ECMO family – and it’s really amazing.”
Families, patients and staff were also joined by some of the program’s biggest supporters. The ECMO program is currently benefiting from an endowment by the Guilds of Valley Children’s – a $10 million pledge that kicked off in 2025 – which will help expand access to the life-saving treatment.
“To be able to support this program, which is quite literally lifesaving and often the only option that these kids have, is remarkable,” said Marla McClaskey, a member of the Los Rancheros Guild. “The picnic is an opportunity for Guilds members to interact with patients and families and honor their journeys, and it’s a huge moment for them to see where the money raised is going.”
Just as equally as survivors, the day also honored the journeys of patients who didn’t make it, recognizing their lasting impact on families and care teams.
“Every story here matters – those of survival, and those we carry forward in memory,” said Dr. Kallas. “Together, they define what it truly means to be an ECMO hero and strengthen our ties as a community.”
Valley Children’s ECMO team has earned international recognition from the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) for its strong focus on quality care, staff training and patient outcomes.
It is the only ECMO program for infants and children in the Central Valley, and its results rank among the top 10% to 20% of ELSO centers worldwide.
The program was also recently recognized by Becker’s Healthcare for its innovative and immersive simulation training, which prepares clinical teams for real-life ECMO scenarios.
To learn more about the ECMO program at Valley Children’s, click here.
