The Mendiburu Magic Foundation in Bakersfield, California, recently presented Valley Children’s Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist Dr. Vinod Balasa with an award for “Outstanding Advances in Cancer Research.” Dr. Balasa is medical director of the Cancer and Blood Diseases Center at Valley Children’s.
Dr. Balasa and his team take part in more than 90 active studies related to pediatric cancer. This includes dozens of clinical trial protocols through the Children’s Oncology Group (COG), which provide state-of-the-art treatment to children with all types of cancer. In addition, Dr. Balasa has personally spearheaded a project called “My Life Our Future” that provides free genetic testing in children and their family member for a rare, but serious, bleeding disorder known as hemophilia.
“I am so honored to accept this award, which is a testament to the dedication not only of our pediatric oncology team, but also of the researchers we work with each day,” said Dr. Balasa. “Because of advances in treatments, we are able to cure so many more children with cancer than we could just a few decades ago. That is what gives us the strength and motivation to keep doing what we do. To have the support of the Mendiburu family and their amazing Foundation is truly humbling. I thank them for this recognition.”
Since 2005, the Mendiburu Magic Foundation has also invested more than $44,000 toward the support of Kern County families with children at Valley Children’s Hospital. The Foundation is dedicated to responding to the unmet needs of Kern County families and their children facing cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.
“Our Foundation has supported Valley Children’s Hospital for many years, and our long-standing friendship and partnership is something that means more than anything,” said Mendiburu Magic Foundation Co-Founder and President Brian J. Mendiburu. “My mom, Nancy, was from Madera and we are honored to work with Valley Children’s on behalf of Kern County children and families.”
In 2015, Valley Children’s Pediatric Oncologist/Hematologist Dr. John Gates accepted the “Nancy Ann Mendiburu Compassion Award for Innovative Cancer Research.” Dr. Gates is also the director of Valley Children’s Childhood Cancer Survivorship Program. In 2014, Dr. David Samuel received the “Outstanding Advances in Cancer Research Award.” He is a pediatric hematologist/oncologist at Valley Children’s, with expertise in pediatric neuro-oncology.
Valley Children’s Hospital ranks in the top 4% of the country for enrolling pediatric cancer patients into therapeutic programs through the Children’s Oncology Group. COG is the world’s largest organization devoted exclusively to childhood and adolescent cancer research. This high enrollment makes Valley Children’s a valuable contributor to ensuring advanced treatment protocols for children throughout the country. The ranking comes from COG’s most recent “report card,” which reviews the more than 200 institutions in its membership.