“NNCCF has been beyond helpful and extremely kind to Talia and our family.  The support and caring individuals we’ve been in contact with have been heartwarming.  We appreciate your generous support for this foundation during the holiday season.” – Terri

Katie was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare type of pediatric bone cancer, when she was 17 years old. Throughout her 6 years of fighting fiercely, she found joy in creating artwork to raise awareness for childhood cancer.
While fighting Ewing’s Sarcoma, Katie made it her mission to live a limitless life. She spent her days traveling to National Parks, seeing as many concerts as possible, and connecting with everyone she met. She especially loved connecting with her fellow childhood cancer Warriors and supporting them however possible. Whether it was in the crafting world, the childhood cancer community, her Warrior Family, School, and Church friends, or a stranger on the street, Katie built a community of strength. She continues to inspire us all to #LiveLifeLikeKT.

Katie’s mom, Lynn said, “We don’t know what we would have done without NNCCF over the past six years.  They made it so we could focus on Katie and living life throughout this journey, rather than worrying about finances.  NNCCF is family to us.”

Merry Christmas from our family to yours! The Elves of Wingfield Christmas Light Show is located in Wingfield Springs at 7450 Ambush Circle and runs every night until 10 pm and Friday/Saturday till 11pm. This year we have partnered with Northern Nevada Children’s Cancer Foundation. Any donation, big or small, is greatly appreciated and goes towards helping these local cancer warriors and their families.

Aiden has chosen NNCCF for a school fundraising project. He has chosen this foundation specifically, because he has seen first hand how helpful this foundation has been through his little sister’s cancer journey. He will be donating 100% of

profits this November 9th in Winnemucca, NV at the Boy Scouts Fair. He will be selling 3D printed objects, as well as wish bracelets, baked goods and a few raffle items. We welcome direct donations to anyone who would like to support Aiden’s fundraising efforts as well as NNCCF directly.

Please help us congratulate our October Community Members of the Month, Carlos and Paige. Carlos was introduced to NNCCF when a colleague’s daughter was in the fight against cancer, and he and his wife, Paige, have since become some of our strongest advocates. Read their interview below:

How did you first get connected with NNCCF?
Kehl, a colleague of mine, asked me to shave my head to raise money for children’s cancer at St. Baldrick’s in 2008. His daughter, Kylee, was in the fight at the time. Right before Kylee lost her fight, she told her dad her wish was that no other child suffer from cancer. From that point forward Kylee’s wish became my wish and I continued to raise money and shave my head every year for the cause. Starting in 2013, I, along with my wife Paige, began a crossfit competition called Pulling for Our Little Heroes to raise money for NNCCF. This event has run every year, even though the pandemic, and has added various sports along the way such as weightlifting, volleyball and a 1mile/5k run. Little Heroes is still adding more sports each year and hopes to make a sports fest out of the event. This event is able to run so smoothly every year with the help of our amazing volunteers and crossfit gyms in this awesome community of helpers we call sidekicks.

What is your NNCCF “why”?  What makes you want to continue supporting NNCCF?
Having 3 boys of our own, Paige and I can’t imagine going through what these families have to endure with their children. We hope that any bit of help we can provide will take a small burden off these families. Until there is a cure for children’s cancer, we will keep pulling for our little heroes!

What is one thing you’ve done for NNCCF that you’re proud of?
Raising money for NNCCF. Over the past 11 years we have helped raise $836,590.

If you could meet anyone, past or present, who would you meet and why?
I would want to meet John Wooden so I can chat about leadership and how he did what he did as a coach.

Thank you for scanning the QR code on your scorecard! Donations to Northern Nevada Children’s Cancer Foundation assist toward our mission to meet the needs of local young cancer warriors and their families.

On this #WarriorWednesday we’re celebrating Jayme! Jayme was diagnosed in November 2023 with a brain tumor and underwent a 13-hour debulking surgery on February 13, 2024, where she was sedated until the afternoon of the 14th. She is the first documented case of this type of growth in this location from what the team of doctors told her and her family. The unknowns of how this will continue to affect her life are daunting, but this warrior is fighting with everything she has.

Tell us about your warrior and their journey: 
Jayme was diagnosed with a substantial giant cell tumor of the clival in November 2023. She underwent a 13 hour debulking surgery on February 13, 2024 and was sedated until the afternoon of the 14th. They were able to remove 75% of the tumor. The remaining 25% has various crucial nerves that control breathing, swallowing, eye sight and tongue movements encased in it. Jayme is still having issues with her back from the compression at the stop of her spine and still has extreme headaches and dizziness at times. We are also dealing with anxiety and depression. Part of the area in the brain that controls emotion was extremely compressed given the size of Bob the blob. We are working with her team both at UCSF and here in Reno/Carson City to get the right medications to help with this. We also found her right vocal cord in paralyzed and will more than likely never function correctly.

Jayme is the first documented case of this type of growth in this location from what the team of doctors told us just before her surgery. The unknowns of how this will continue to affect her, probably for the rest of her life is daunting, but this warrior is fighting with everything she has. Because she is the first case, no one knows what to except, but we did get some good news this passed weekend. Her MRI on September 8th showed a slight decrease in size. BOB THE BLOB is getting smaller!!!! This doesn’t mean it will continue to shrink and it’s still possible for it to grow. Waiting to find out how often scans will take place to track its movement. Hoping the copper coil they placed to stop the blood flow to the growth will help it continue to shrink or at least remain the same.

How has NNCCF impacted your family’s journey?
The continued support has helped us at every turn. Whether it be a family event or just cheering her on through emails brings a smile to her face.

Is there anything you would like to add?
Thank you to our family, friends, and teachers who have been there for us and work with us. I never truly understood “It takes a village” until we were faced with this. Thank you to our village. You guys ROCK!!!!

Meet Benjamin, a strong little boy who was diagnosed with ALL in June of 2023. Prior to his diagnosis, Benjamin enjoyed playing baseball and lots of outdoor activities, but has since developed a passion for video gaming and Lego sets. He is proud of how far he has come through his cancer journey — one of the things he looks forward to after treatment is over, is bringing his port to school for show and tell, once it’s removed. Read our interview with Benjamin’s mom below:

Tell us about your warrior and their journey: 
Ben was diagnosed in June of 2023 with b-cell ALL. This came of course as quite a shock. Prior to his diagnosis, Ben enjoyed playing baseball and lots of outdoor activities. Since being diagnosed and having to be more cautious of injury, he has developed a passion for video gaming and building Lego sets. Occasionally we look back at pictures we’ve taken so far on this journey, to show him how much progress he has made and you can see that he is proud of himself. He tells us how strong he is and how much he has been through and how he can’t wait for all of this to be over.

How has NNCCF impacted your family’s journey?
NNCCF has helped our family immensely with holidays and eased the stress of regular life. As a family we love that we are always welcomed there with a warm smile and a friendly atmosphere.

Is there anything you would like to add?
One of the things Ben looks forward to after treatment is over, is bringing his port to school for show and tell, once it’s removed (since he’s now grown comfortable with his battle scar).

On this #WarriorWednesday we’re celebrating Rosemarie! This fierce little girl was diagnosed when she was just two and a half years old where she was taken to UCSF in Oakland via helicopter. Rosemarie stayed in the hospital for roughly a month to begin her treatment journey. Through the ups and downs of treatment, she has been a strong fighter with her baby doll right by her side. Read our interview with Rosemarie’s mom below:

Tell us about your warrior and their journey: 
Rosemarie was diagnosed when she was just two and a half years old where we were taken to UCSF in Oakland via helicopter. We stayed in the hospital for roughly a month to begin her treatment journey. Through ups and downs as well multiple hospital visits she has always had a baby doll near her and been our strong, fierce little girl!

How has NNCCF impacted your family’s journey?
We have been able to feel like we are part of a community as well as be able to experience events we didn’t think would be possible during a tough situation, such as movies! We have been able to be less stressed, and ALWAYS feel cared for anytime we are around a member of NNCCF.

Is there anything you would like to add?
She loves Disney princesses! She has always been fierce.

Are you ready for some football and philanthropy?  Join Ken, Alex, and The 395 crew at 395 Craft Beer & Spirits in Lemmon Valley every Monday night!  Ken will serve up different dishes each week, and you can dig in while helping local families!  Donate here to help NNCCF and enjoy the season!