The Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases of Las Vegas, Nevada’s first and only official nonprofit pediatric cancer center, is proud to announce the opening of an infusion center on March 4. The new St. Baldrick’s Foundation Infusion Center will specialize in intravenous (IV) treatments for children currently undergoing chemotherapy treatments.
“The St. Baldrick’s Infusion Center will allow us to provide children with the treatments they need in an environment that is friendly and welcoming”
“The St. Baldrick’s Infusion Center will allow us to provide children with the treatments they need in an environment that is friendly and welcoming,” says Dr. Jonathan Bernstein, medical director for the Children’s Center for Cancer. “We wanted to name the center after an organization that meant something to us and the kids. We immediately agreed that St. Baldrick’s represented a true hope for a cure, and the optimistic joy and ease we wanted the kids to feel when they came into the center for treatments.”
Over the past two years, St. Baldrick’s has provided the Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases with two grants totaling more than $256,000, the majority of which was raised through head-shaving events in Las Vegas. These grants allowed for the hiring of crucial staff members to see the clinic’s ever expanding patient population. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation Infusion Center will allow the Children’s Center to expand their clinical services and clinical trials whereby better serving more children in the area. This expansion is essential for maintaining the important research efforts at the clinic. Due to the increasing number of uninsured children in Nevada, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation Infusion Center will also help effectively meet the needs of this increasing population of children who need access to quality care through the charity care plan at the clinic.
“The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is honored to be recognized by The Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases of Las Vegas. Dr. Bernstein and his team are a shining example of the advances that can be made in childhood cancer when crucial funding is available,” comments Kathleen Ruddy, executive director for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. “We are continually impressed by the innovative work the Center is doing and the quality of services they provide to Las Vegas and all of Nevada. Our loyal Las Vegas area supporters are the real force behind St. Baldrick’s efforts to shave the way to conquer kids’ cancer.”
A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held on March 4 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Children’s Center located at 3121 S. Maryland Parkway, Ste. 300, Las Vegas. During the ceremony, Dr. Bernstein will unveil a mural at the infusion center featuring the St. Baldrick’s Foundation’s worldwide mascot, Lucky© the Leprechaun. In addition to tours of the new infusion center, the Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases will also be sponsoring a bone marrow drive for the National Bone Marrow Registry.
In 2010, there will be three St. Baldrick’s head-shaving events in Las Vegas. All three events are held on March 6, and will take place at McMullan’s Irish Pub, Fado Irish Pub and Nine Fine Irishmen. These events have already raised more than $85,000, combined.
With a goal of shaving more than 40,000 heads in 2010, St. Baldrick’s is encouraging all who support childhood cancer research to join the movement and sign-up to shave! You can also show your support by visiting www.StBaldricks.org and making a donation or volunteer at an event in your area. You can also become a fan on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and visit the St. Baldrick’s YouTube channel.
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