LAS VEGAS – August 11, 2023 –  Cure 4 The Kids Foundation, Southern Nevada’s only pediatric cancer and rare disease treatment center, is thrilled to announce the addition ofDr. Raul Montiel-Esparza to their team of exceptional providers.

Dr. Montiel-Esparza brings a wealth of expertise in pediatric stem cell transplantation and cellular therapy, further enhancing the Foundation’s ability to provide exceptional care to patients throughout the region. Montiel-Esparza is board-certified in pediatrics and pediatric hematology oncology.

Dr. Montiel-Esparza received his medical education at the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education (ITESM) School of Medicine in Monterrey, Mexico. He then completed his pediatric residency at the Children’s Medical Center at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. His passion for pediatric hematology oncology led him to pursue a Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy clinical fellowship at the renowned Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford University School of Medicine in Palo Alto, California.

“We are so delighted to welcome Dr. Montiel-Esparza to our team and to Southern Nevada,” said Annette Logan-Parker, CEO, Cure 4 The Kids Foundation. “His expertise in pediatric stem cell transplantation and cellular therapy will greatly benefit our patients and further our mission to always provide the highest quality care.”

Dr. Montiel-Esparza is an active member of several esteemed organizations, including the Pediatric Transplantation & Cellular Therapy Consortium (PTCTC), the American Society of Hematology (ASH), the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASTCT), the Children’s Oncology Group (COG), and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

Dr. Montiel-Esparza’s contributions to the medical community extend beyond his clinical work. He has co-authored numerous publications in esteemed journals such as Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology, Pediatric Blood & Cancer, Cardio Oncology, The Journal of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, and Gaceta Mexicana De Oncologia.

Fluent in both English and his native Spanish, Dr. Montiel-Esparza’s ability to communicate effectively with diverse patient populations is a valuable asset to Cure 4 The Kids Foundation. When he is not providing exceptional care to his patients, Dr. Montiel-Esparza enjoys biking, oil painting, and reading.

Cure 4 The Kids Foundation is proud to have Dr. Montiel-Esparza join their team of dedicated providers. His addition reinforces their commitment to delivering comprehensive and cutting-edge treatments to children battling cancer and rare diseases in Southern Nevada.

About Cure 4 The Kids Foundation

Founded in Las Vegas in 2007, Cure 4 The Kids Foundation provides high-quality, research-focused medical treatment to children battling cancer and rare diseases. C4K achieves the extraordinary with a model of success based on transformative innovation. We are one team with one vision and one mission centered around clinical excellence and compassionate care. As a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization, we are committed to being a new kind of healthcare organization; one that blends the best of what corporate healthcare, education, and research have to offer with the generosity and spirit of charity. This hybrid model allows us to perform like a traditional healthcare facility in terms of best practices yet also allows us to create a uniquely family-centered patient experience. Our Charity Care Program ensures that those without medical insurance or who are unable to pay for services still receive the treatment they deserve.  For more information, visit cure4thekids.org.

For additional information, please contact:
Mitch Truswell
Red 7 Communications
702-531-4461
mitch@red7communications.com

LAS VEGAS – January 19, 2023 – Annette Logan-Parker, founder and CEO of Cure 4 The Kids Foundation, Nevada’s premier pediatric cancer and rare disease treatment center, has been selected as chairperson of The Nevada Rare Disease Advisory Council (NVRDAC).

NVRDAC was formed under SB315 during Nevada’s 2019 Legislative Session. The council’s mission as an advising body is to provide a platform for those who are affected by rare diseases, including pediatric cancer. The council’s goal is to provide the rare disease community with a stronger voice in state government, including the ability to make recommendations to state leaders.

“I’m excited to help bring greater awareness and attention to the many rare diseases that affect Nevada patients and their families,” said Annette Logan-Parker. “We’re fortunate that Nevada is among the states looking to study the incidence and effect of rare diseases on patients, their families and the community. It’s a great first step.”

Among the objectives of the council is to create a statewide registry of rare diseases diagnosed in Nevada to help determine the genetic and environmental factors that contribute to rare diseases.

Other NVRDAC objectives include:

• Increase awareness among providers of health care of the symptoms of and care for patients with rare diseases
• Study the effect of early treatment for rare disease on the quality of life for patients suffering from rare disease
• Determine the effect of delayed or inappropriate treatment on the quality o life for patentees suffering from rare disease and the economy of Nevada.
• Evaluate the systems for delivery of treatment for rare disease in place in Nevada and development recommendation to increase survival rates and quality of life of patients

A rare disease is a condition or disorder that affects fewer than 200,000 individuals in the United States. There are approximately 7,000 rare diseases and 25-30 million Americans are affected by these rare disorders.

 

 Las Vegas – On Thursday, December 8, former UFC light heavyweight champion Glover Teixeira, former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski and UFC Hall of Famer Forrest Griffin visited pediatric patients at Cure 4 The Kids Foundation, Nevada’s only childhood cancer treatment center and facility for pediatric catastrophic diseases. UFC athletes will spend time with pediatric patients, delivering gifts and offering positive words of encouragement.  

 

C4K is the premier pediatric cancer and rare disease treatment center in Nevada, serving nearly 3,700 individuals through 18,273 encounters in 2020. About UFC® 

UFC® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 688 million fans and 211 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world, while broadcasting to nearly 900 million TV households across more than 170 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 75 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is owned by global entertainment, sports and content company Endeavor, and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok: @UFC. 

Cure 4 The Kids Foundation (C4K) announced the Englestad Foundation’s support, which provides $556,000 to fund the behavioral health needs of childhood cancer and rare disease patients. 

 

The Englestad Foundation funding covers a year’s worth of Behavioral Health Team services to assist patients and their families with the impacts of a childhood cancer diagnosis and other catastrophic childhood diseases in what are highly challenging medical journeys.

 

“The treatment of childhood cancer and other pediatric conditions goes beyond the chemotherapy and other medical treatments we provide in the clinic, said Annette Logan, Founder, and CEO, Cure 4 The Kids Foundation. “Our goal at Cure 4 The Kids Foundation is to meet all the patient’s needs, including educational, emotional, social, cognitive, and mental well-being. Our Behavioral Health Team is essential to a patient’s full recovery, making this Englestad Foundation funding vital to a patient’s success.”

 

“We are thrilled the Englestad Foundation supports the vital services and benefits that our Behavioral Health Team provide to patients and their families,” said Danielle Bello, Ph.D., ABPP-CN, Behavioral Health Director, Cure 4 The Kids Foundation. “Medical therapies, combined with behavioral health coordination and services, allow us to treat the whole patient and provide the best path forward.”

 

 The Behavioral Health Team includes:

 

•           Licensed Clinical Psychologist & Board Certified Neuropsychologist to help identify brain functioning, thinking skills, human behavior, and emotions in patients. A neuropsychological evaluation can diagnose specific conditions and provide a plan to help a patient grow and overcome challenges through therapies, medications, and school accommodations.

•           Certified Child Life Specialist provides one-on-one support to patients and family members by preparing for medically complex treatments. A certified child life specialist also provides unique coping strategies for patients to relieve stress and anxiety related to medical procedures.

•           Social Worker provides support and resources for patients and families with various needs, including financial and social support, transportation, and education. Additionally, the social worker communicates directly with community partners to maintain services and establish new resources.

 

C4K is the premier pediatric cancer and rare disease treatment center in Nevada, serving nearly 3,700 individuals through 18,273 encounters in 2020. 

LAS VEGAS – October 4, 2022 – Cure 4 The Kids Foundation (C4K), Nevada’s only pediatric cancer and rare disease treatment center, has announced Joseph Lasky III, M.D., is being promoted from Director of Pediatric Neuro-Oncology to Medical Director.

In his new position, Dr. Lasky will lead the organization’s team of physicians, oversee clinical quality and patient safety, and assume responsibility for the clinical research initiatives at Cure 4 The Kids Foundation. He will also provide leadership in collaboration with community partners. 

“Over the last five years, the organization has benefited from Dr. Lasky’s outstanding leadership and dedication to providing compassionate and innovative care to our fragile patient population,” says Annette Logan-Parker, Founder and CEO. “I am confident that in his new role, he will continue to advance the mission and vision of the organization.”

Dr. Lasky has more than two decades of clinical and research experience. Before joining C4K, he led the pediatric hematology/oncology program at Harbor/UCLA Medical Center and held several academic positions. Currently, he holds professor positions at UNLV and Roseman University of Health Sciences. Since joining C4K in 2017, Dr. Lasky has been treating a wide range of children with pediatric cancers and rare diseases, all while overseeing the organization’s Neuro-Oncology and Bleeding and Clotting Programs. 

Dr. Lasky is board certified in pediatric hematology/oncology and is a member of several professional organizations, including the Children’s Oncology Group, Society for Neuro-Oncology, American Society of Hematology, and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

With this promotion, Dr. Lasky will become the highest-ranking physician within the organization and will assume the responsibilities of Dr. Alan Ikeda, M.D., who is scheduled to retire as the organization’s Chief Medical Officer in mid-November 2022. Dr. Lasky and Dr. Ikeda will continue to work collaboratively as Dr. Ikeda will remain a C4K Advisory Council member. Dr. Ikeda joined C4K in 2011 and has worked tirelessly to raise the bar of clinical standards within the organization and throughout the Las Vegas pediatric medical and research community. He has been instrumental in guiding the clinic through exponential growth and expansion of patient services over the past decade. 

 

“It has been an honor and privilege to work side-by-side with Dr. Ikeda in building the clinical infrastructure of C4K. We plan to continue his legacy of clinical excellence and honor his hard work and dedication,” said Dr. Lasky. “He has left an impressive mark on the patient experience and, more importantly, the patient outcomes. I’m thrilled to be leading the team of professionals that he built, a team that is curing pediatric cancer every day right here in Las Vegas.”

Dr. David Stewart, Orthopedic Surgeon, Joins Growing C4K Medical Team

Cure 4 The Kids Foundation (C4K), Nevada’s only pediatric cancer center has announced that pediatric orthopedic surgeon Dr. David Stewart has joined the C4K Medical team. The addition of Dr. Stewart brings significant experience in pediatric orthopedics to C4K while further expanding the organization’s medical team and range of pediatric services.

C4K’s Pediatric Orthopedic Center is designed as a Center of Excellence to promote high-quality integrated care. The Center strives for best practices from evidence-based medicine and principles of quality, safety, and value.

“We are very excited for the addition of our Pediatric Orthopedics Program,” said Annette Logan-Parker, Founder and CEO at C4K. “Medically fragile and complex children require comprehensive medical treatment and care. Dr. Stewart brings 17 years of experience treating children in Las Vegas.”

In addition to treating the full range of pediatric musculoskeletal conditions, the Pediatric Orthopedic Center holds multidisciplinary clinics for medically complex and special needs children with conditions including developmental delay, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, genetic syndromes, and others.

“I’m thrilled to be joining the talented medical team at Cure 4 The Kids Foundation” said Dr. Stewart. “Cure 4 The Kids Foundation has an impeccable record of caring for children. I look forward to building on its 15-year track record and reputation as a leading center for pediatric specialty care.”

Dr. David Stewart, a board-certified pediatric orthopedic surgeon has been practicing in Las Vegas since 2005. Dr. Stewart has become the provider of choice for many pediatricians and parents, especially for medically complex and special needs children.  He has received local and regional top doctor awards from his peers for eleven consecutive years from 2011 to 2021.

Dr. Stewart is the latest addition to the C4K medical team that includes Chief Medical Officer Dr. Alan Ikeda MD, Dr, Joseph Lasky MD, Dr. Waseem Alhushki MD, Dr. Sumit Gupta MD, Dr. Amy Cruickshank, DO and Dr. Aimee Foord, DO

Southern Nevada Toyota Dealers Continues Support Cure 4 The Kids Foundation

$25,000 Donation to Support C4K Bowl 4 The Kids Event

 

LAS VEGAS  – Cure 4 The Kids Foundation (C4K), Nevada’s only pediatric cancer center has announced a significant donation to its annual patient event, Bowl 4 The Kids. The $25,000 donation was provided to C4K by Autonation Toyota on behalf of the Southern Nevada Toyota Dealers.

 

“We are incredibly grateful for the continued support of Autonation Toyota for Cure 4 The Kids Foundation” said Annette Logan-Parker, Founder and CEO at C4K. “This support will allow us to treat over 300 patients and their siblings to a fun-filled day of bowling, allowing them to forget about their circumstances for an afternoon and have fun like a normal kid.”

 

“We are very excited to continue our support of Cure 4 The Kids Foundation” said Cesar Ramos, General Manager of Autonation Toyota. “Supporting Bowl 4 The Kids will bring smiles and fun to kids and their families in our community. It means the world to us”.

 

The theme this year is ‘The Empire Strikes C4K’ so this Star Wars spectacle is the only patient-centric event of the year. The goal is to simply bring kids and their siblings and C4K doctors and staff together for an afternoon of fun and prizes. The event focuses exclusively on catering to C4K’s patient that are battling cancer and other rare diseases.

 

The support of Autonation Toyota on behalf of the Southern Nevada Toyota Dealers will continue to make possible that kids and families will not miss important appointments, checkups, chemotherapy, and other medical procedures because of financial hardship or constraints.