775-825-0888
3550 Barron Way #9a • Reno, Nevada 89511
Each year, we award scholarships to childhood cancer survivors and young adults currently in treatment. Our foundation believes in young adults who have overcome adversity and are striving to achieve their academic dreams. Childhood cancer survivors inspire us with their resiliency and tenacity, and the Inspire Scholarship is one way that we can support them as they move forward through adulthood.
At the 2019 Inspire Scholarship Ceremony, David Wise, two-time Olympic Gold Medalist skier, presented about conquering what life brings. He has had physical and emotional peaks and valleys throughout his career, but he realized that his support system was essential as he celebrated his successes or overcame failures. Similar to the community that rallies behind a child with cancer, his team, the people around him that supported him, always had his back.
“You guys each have a team and you have a new weapon, you have overcome or you are overcoming this incredibly difficult adversity but on the other side you’re going to be stronger because of it,” Wise said.
Our Inspire Scholarship program awarded scholarships to 21 childhood cancer survivors and young adults currently in treatment. Through generous grants and sponsors, the program supports young adults affected by childhood cancer in achieving their dreams through higher education. Since the program started in 2012, we have awarded $416,000 in scholarships to survivors, and the funds have been applied to many fields of study from universities and colleges to vocational and technical schools.
One of the Inspire Scholarship recipients, Haley, is striving to become an oncology nurse. Through her cancer journey, she experienced pain, surgery, recovery and joy. She was moved by the idea of helping children in the same way nurses helped her through the good and the bad, “I would like to inspire others by being someone they can look to in times of need,” she said.
After completing treatment, Haley dedicated her studies to help other children affected by cancer. She recently celebrated her acceptance into the Orvis School of Nursing for the fall of 2019 and shared her joy on social media stating, “All of the hard work has paid off. God truly does have a plan and there is a light at the end of every tunnel. I can’t wait to begin this journey and be one step closer to helping kids with cancer.”
Wise spoke of an analogy that helped him through his life and career – He compared overcoming adversity to building a jump. Adversity represents the blocks of snow made out of all the hard stuff, which builds up to create the foundation of a ramp. “What I love about that [analogy] is that everything that you survived or that your family has survived or someone close to you has survived just becomes another block you can build your jump out of,” said Wise. “And the more blocks you build, the more blocks your jump has in it, the greater your trajectory.”
Wise wrapped up the ceremony with words that exemplify the accomplishments of these survivors as they step into a different journey in life and build their own careers. Wise said, “There’s nothing I’m more excited about than telling you guys that because of what you’ve been through you can accomplish more than anybody else. I just want to empower you guys with that message and I want to thank you for your journey because it’s important and it’s powerful.”
With every scholarship we give, we know that a child with cancer has more opportunity to learn and reach higher dreams. To use his metaphor, we know that these survivors have earned every block carved out through their journey with cancer. And yet, we are grateful we can help propel them forward to achieve greater things.
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A special thank you to the donors who directly support this program: Charles H. Stout Foundation, Charles Mathewson Foundation, DiRienzo Foundation, Jet Nevada Fulfillment Center, the Trowbridge Family, the LeSourd Family, U.S. Bank, Morgan Stanley for Leonard Wohletz, and Wood Rodgers.
Press Release –
(Reno, NV) – The Northern Nevada Children’s Cancer Foundation (NNCCF) would like to thank Peterbilt Truck Parts and Equipment, Silver State International, Quick Space, Granite Construction Supply, Camelot Party Rentals and Cumulus Media Group for their donations to a drive-in event for NNCCF families. Due to the help of these community partners, the organization offered a showing of Disney Pixar’s Cars free of charge to local families impacted by childhood cancer at Peterbilt Truck Parts and Equipment in Sparks, NV.
“We’d like to thank all of the businesses that assisted our organization with this event,” said NNCCF Executive Director Shirley Folkins-Roberts. “Our families are often among the most vulnerable to COVID as they navigate treatment and will be isolated for an extended period of time. The way our community can come together to show support for our families and offer a safe night out is inspiring and we are grateful for their commitment and kindness.”
Families were able to safely enjoy the film and one attendee made the connection of a character in the movie being a Peterbilt truck. As the main character Lightening McQueen is searching the highway for Mack, his transport trailer to his races, he pulls up next to a truck on the highway. He calls for Mack and the truck informs Lightening McQueen that he isn’t Mack, he is a Peterbilt truck. “He’s a Peterbilt, just like the sign on the building!” said an NNCCF child.
All companies donated their services, time and materials to host the event specifically for the families of NNCCF. To donate to NNCCF visit www.nvchildrenscancer.org or to partner with an in-kind good or service contact Shirley Folkins-Roberts, Shirley@nvchildrenscancer.org or call (775) 825-0888.
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About NNCCF: The Northern Nevada Children’s Cancer Foundation is the only non-profit in the region solely dedicated to helping local children and their families affected by childhood cancer. NNCCF’s programs and services include the Family Assistance Fund, Inspire survivorship program, Hope for the Holidays program and emotional support through end-of-treatment celebrations and family activities. For more information, call (775) 825-0888, visit www.nvchildrenscancer.org or follow on social media @NVKidsCancer.
We could not have imagined a better way to kick off the fall season than trick or treating, dancing to a DJ, pumpkin decorating, and games at our annual Fall Festival for NNCCF families. More than 150 children with cancer, siblings, parents, and volunteers joined the NNCCF staff last Friday for a memorable afternoon.
We saw many creative costumes and enjoyed the enthusiasm of the families, staff and volunteers. This year, some notable characters made their way to the festival including Lego Man, Jesse from Toy Story, Cinderella and many more!
Here are a few Fall Festival testimonials from our families:
“It was sure great to see you and everyone at the Fall Festival. All the costumes and decorations were spectacular!” – Dad
“It doesn’t look like Natalie will be up for trick or treating, but now she won’t feel like she missed out because the fall festival was PERFECT!!!! Thank you again to everyone for such a great event. Natalie loves holidays!” – Dad
“Thanks also for the Fall Festival! Elizabeth still tells everyone about how she got to meet the real Cinderella :)” – Mom
“Thank you for inviting us to the greatest party ever.” – Big brother
Special thank you to Woodburn & Wedge for their commitment to helping others and sponsoring this event. Thank you to the team at Sierra Auto Sales for donating pumpkins for our pumpkin patch. We are grateful for the additional support provided by Espinoza’s Food Truck, Reno 1868 FC, Reno Aces, Mary Ann’s amazing face painting, DJ Ronnie, board members and volunteers. Your efforts made this event possible.
