Every year, 16,000 children face the daunting diagnosis of cancer, and what might surprise you is that almost 90% of them receive treatment at institutions affiliated with the Children's Oncology Group (COG).
Renown Children’s Hospital, a member of COG since 2020, plays a vital role in this transformative journey. Just half a century ago, childhood cancer was a near-incurable challenge, but today, thanks to the groundbreaking research led by COG, the survival rate over a five-year period has soared to an inspiring 80%.
“The standard of care continues to advance, particularly with cancer, as more research is conducted and additional treatment options become available,” said Kristen Gurnea, Manager of Clinical Research at Renown Health. “Our community can contribute to these advancements through COG for the benefit of both individual patients and the entire population joined together in the fight against pediatric cancer. We are proud to contribute to that mission.”
As a member of the world's largest organization devoted exclusively to childhood cancer research, Renown recognizes the joint efforts from researchers and patients alike and is proud to aid in reaching this goal in partnership with COG and our very own northern Nevada community.
Partners in Pediatric Care
If you or someone you know would like to learn more about Renown’s participation in the Children’s Oncology Group, please contact the Renown Research Office at 775-982-5050 or Renown-CRD@Renown.org.
Access to ground-breaking treatments and leading-edge research
Clinical trial opportunities
Multi-institutional collaboration
Improved patient outcomes
A focus on supportive care and survivorship
Advanced care close to home
Educational resources
Current Clinical Trial Opportunities for Pediatric Cancer Patients:
Myeloid leukemias
Hodgkins lymphomas
Neuroblastomas
Various soft tissue tumors and solid tumors
Acute lymphoblastic leukemias (ALL)
These studies typically combine a proven, safe and effective curative treatment plan with additions (such as immunotherapies) aimed at lowering the risk of disease recurrence, or relapse. These trials are incredibly important steps toward not only curing childhood cancers, but in increasing the quality of life for childhood cancer survivors post-treatment.
At Renown Health, our goal is to make it easy for patients to access clinical research as a care opportunity where patients can access a variety of standard care treatment options for their health condition or choose to participate in a clinical trial. For more information about clinical trial opportunities available to you or to ask any questions, contact the Renown Research Office at Renown-CRD@renown.org or 775-982-3646.
Caring for Rural Communities, One Patient at a Time: Q&A With a Senior Medical Assistant
For patients in Fallon, Silver Springs and the surrounding rural northern Nevada communities, access to quality healthcare is a top priority. Some drive over two hours just to see a primary care provider or walk into an urgent care clinic. Practice Site Leader Erin (formerly a Sr. Medical Assistant for Renown Medical Group – Fernley) is one of the dedicated team members ensuring those patients feel seen, heard and cared for the moment they walk through the door.
What started as an externship close to home has grown into a fulfilling career marked by mentorship, professional growth and a deep passion for patient care. We sat down with Erin to learn more about her journey.
Career Excellence: Shaping the Future of Pediatric Care
Dr. Jose Cucalon Calderon combines patient care, teaching and advocacy to help build a healthier Nevada through the partnership between Renown Health and the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med).
When a patient is experiencing unexplained seizures, nerve pain or neurological symptoms that don't have a clear cause, finding answers often begins with one critical step: a diagnostic study performed by a skilled neurodiagnostic technician. At Renown Health, the Electrodiagnosis (or Neurodiagnostics) department provides these essential services every day.
Think of our Electrodiagnosis team as your brain puzzle masters. Their impact spans both inpatient and outpatient settings, serving patients of all ages who are living with epilepsy, a traumatic brain injury, neuropathy, ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) and more. While their work may look like "squiggly lines" on a screen, the insights they capture are anything but simple.
