Valley Children’s Adaptive Sports Program Honored as 2024 Northern California Trailblazer

Valley Children’s Adaptive Sports Program has been recognized with the prestigious 2024 Northern California Trailblazer Award by the United States Tennis Association (USTA). This award highlights organizations that lead the way in fostering inclusion within multicultural, LGBTQ+ and disability communities. The honor, presented at the USTA Northern California conference in November, celebrates the program’s dedication to promoting accessibility and inspiring a love for tennis among all athletes.

This year, the program expanded its reach with the help of a $2,000 Wheelchair Tennis Grassroots Grant, which supported hosting recreational clinics and an upcoming exhibition game planned for the Spring. Four athletes also received custom tennis wheelchairs, thanks to grants from the Challenged Athletes Foundation, along with personalized coaching to help refine their skills and deepen their connection to the game.

Through a partnership with Special Olympics Northern California, Valley Children’s will provide even more opportunities for athletes to compete and connect. Our continued collaboration with the Special Olympics is helping young athletes achieve their goals, connect with others and live their healthiest lives possible.

DC4Kids

Last June, Valley Children’s was honored to welcome NFL Quarterback and Valley Children’s Ambassador Derek Carr as he joined DC4KIDS members for a special reception to celebrate the incredible impact of their ongoing support. The evening was filled with gratitude, inspiration and a shared commitment to making a difference in the lives of children.

DC4KIDS supports Valley Children’s Adaptive Sports program, the only one of its kind in Central California, which empowers young athletes who have physical disabilities or mobility impairments with free recreational and athletic experiences.

At the special reception, attendees and their guests enjoyed spending time with Derek, who expressed his deep appreciation for Valley Children’s, thanked the dedicated Adaptive Sports volunteers and answered questions from attendees. In recognition of his long-standing support, Derek was also presented with a gift of appreciation signed by Valley Children’s physicians. Some of the remarkable athletes from the Adaptive Sports program shared their experiences and achievements, as well.

Now in its eighth year, DC4KIDS has raised more than $700,000 to help kids receive the specialized care they deserve.

Kids Day Brings Hope and Joy

This last year’s Kids Day was a remarkable success, bringing together more than 4,000 volunteers from Bakersfield to Modesto to support Valley Children’s patients and families. Despite the rain, the spirit of generosity shone through, helping raise an incredible $480,000 – all benefiting Valley Children’s hematology department, which provides lifesaving care to 2,859 blood disorder patients like our Kids Day Ambassador, Jeremy.

“More than the dollar amount raised, what poured out in abundance on Kids Day was love,” shared the Foundation team. “Love for the patients, for the community and for the mission.”

Thank you for making a difference!

Cultivating Life After Cancer: The Healing Power of Gardens

In an innovative approach to healing, the “Roots of Resilience” gardening project has taken root on the Madera campus of Valley Children’s. Led by Oncology Clinical Research Coordinator Matthew Mayes, the project has cultivated a peaceful sanctuary where patients, cancer survivors and visitors can connect with nature and find solace in the beauty of new growth. 

Inspired by the Madagascar periwinkle – a flower with cancer-fighting properties – the garden not only enhances the natural beauty of the hospital grounds, but also serves a powerful symbol of the deeper healing taking place within its walls. With support from Valley Children’s staff, the Master Gardeners of Fresno and Madera Counties and the President’s Innovation Fund, the space is now home to an abundance of nutrient-rich plants, including tomatoes, blueberries, strawberries, carrots, kale and spinach.

Beyond its beauty, this project is also a research endeavor. Matthew is investigating how gardening may alleviate both the immediate and long-term effects of cancer treatment, with the goal of improving the patient’s quality of life. In doing so, Roots of Resilience reinforces Valley Children’s unwavering commitment to compassionate, holistic care.