(Madera, California) – Valley Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center is honored to announce that Fresno Truck Center has generously donated $2 million to support the Childhood Cancer Survivorship Program Endowment at Valley Children’s. In recognition of this gift, the program is now “The Fresno Truck Center Childhood Cancer Survivorship Program.”
“It is our privilege to make this financial commitment on behalf of our loyal customers,” said Doug Howard, president of Fresno Truck Center. “Together, we will improve the quality of care available to cancer survivors and make a positive impact in the lives of hundreds of survivors of pediatric cancer and their families.”
Fresno Truck Center is the Freightliner and Western Star commercial truck dealership owned and operated by the Howard family for more than 90 years.
Dr. Vinod Balasa, medical director of Valley Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center added: “This program caters to a huge unmet need among these individuals. The support provided by Fresno Truck Center is extremely valuable and very much appreciated.”
Fresno Truck Center and the Howard family have been supporters of Valley Children’s for more than 50 years. On behalf of their customers, the Howard family customarily purchased equipment each year needed by our clinical teams. This year’s transformational investment will ensure long-term funding for our Survivorship program.
Valley Children's thanks the Howard family of The Fresno Truck Center
for their transformational gift for childhood cancer survivors
Up to two-thirds of childhood cancer survivors experience late effects. Most remain unaware of their health risks and how to reduce them. The Fresno Truck Center Childhood Cancer Survivorship Program is the only one of its kind in the region, working with cancer-free patients from Valley Children’s and other facilities who are three years from completion of treatment by providing education, support and health maintenance.
Valley Children’s program offers academic and vocational scholarships to members, holds an annual conference in partnership with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and promotes several event opportunities throughout the year for childhood cancer survivors, their family members and healthcare professionals.
There are currently 1,800 members in the program that is led by program director Dr. John Gates, who is a Valley Children’s Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist and the Margaret Corasick Endowed Chair of Cancer Survivorship.