SUBMITTED NEWS RELEASE
RENO, Nev. — In accordance with September’s National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, northern Nevada 
organizations that support families affected with childhood cancer are uniting with medical professionals, families, patients and survivors to help increase awareness in our local community.
Childhood Cancer Awareness Day is Saturday, Sept. 11, from 9 a.m. to noon in Reno’s Pickett Park, 1198 Mill St., located across from Renown Regional Medical Center. The primary focus of the event is to highlight local resources and local families who have made a genuine difference in the fight against cancer.
The free event is open to the public and will include a variety of games, prizes, kid activities, speakers, resource booths and a free pancake breakfast. A Wall of Courage will also be on display to decorate with names, photos and stories of patients, survivors and heroes that we have lost.
“Childhood cancer continues to be the leading cause of death by disease for our nation’s children,” said Lizzie Dalton, event organizer and Director of Programs & Services Northern Nevada Children’s Cancer Foundation.  “One in five children diagnosed will not survive and those that do typically face late effects and secondary cancers as a result of the aggressive treatments on their developing bodies. The month of September is a time to cast a local and national spotlight on childhood cancer and the issues related to it including treatment and survivorship.”
It is estimated that there are more than 45 children diagnosed with childhood cancers each year in our region, said Linda Ferris, Ph.D., vice president of Renown Institute for Cancer. And with treatments lasting anywhere from one to five years, that number is compounded to an estimated 150 patients.
“As the title sponsor for this event Renown Children’s Hospital is working hard to ensure all children with cancer and blood diseases have access to quality and compassionate care in their communities,” Ferris said.
Renown  Regional Medical Center was the first hospital in northern Nevada recognized by the American College of Surgeons for comprehensive cancer care and has maintained that designation for more than 20 years.
Renown Health’s Children’s Specialty Care offers the only pediatric hematology and cancer care in the region. These services allow children to receive specialized care for major illnesses while remaining in the community. The program brings in highly trained physicians who specialize in treating children and adolescents with blood diseases and cancer, including leukemia, solid tumors and brain tumors. The service is driven by physician referrals.
Organizations that have united to create the special day are Access to Healthcare Network, American Cancer Society, Angel Flight, Builders Association Charity, Carson Tahoe Cancer Center, Children’s Hospital Oakland, Family Ties of Nevada, For Kids Foundation, Give Hope Foundation, Nevada Cancer Coalition, Nevada Cancer Institute, Northern Nevada Children’s Cancer Foundation, Renown Children’s Hospital and Ronald McDonald House Charities.
