A major fundraiser for Valley Children’s Hospital scheduled for next week has been cancelled due to concerns over the spread of coronavirus, the hospital’s foundation announced Thursday.
Kids Day, a special fundraiser for Valley Children’s Hospital featuring volunteers selling special editions of The Fresno Bee on Valley street corners, will not occur as scheduled next Tuesday.
“Every Kids Day, the support of our volunteers and donors has directly resulted in improving the care we give to some of the most critically ill children in our region,” said Rob Saroyan, president of the hospital’s foundation. “This year, we’re asking everyone to help us in a different way – by doing everything they can to protect the health of their own families.”
Saroyan also thanked volunteers and sponsors, noting that Kids Day will return in 2021.
The cancellation comes after Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a statewide emergency over the spread of coronavirus. On Wednesday, a Placer County resident became the first person to succumb to the disease.
Thursday, the City of San Francisco announced it identified two cases of coronavirus. Those patients have been contained.
More than 50 cases of coronavirus have been reported in California.
Meanwhile, Valley Children’s Healthcare released new visitor guidelines for its hospitals:
NEW VISITOR POLICY IN EFFECT: Only parents/guardians and direct caregivers can accompany patients into the hospital. They will be screened regarding health status and recent travel history. We thank you for helping protect the health of our kids – and the teams who care for them.— Valley Children’s (@CareForKids) March 5, 2020
