17-year-old leukemia survivor from Fallon to represent northern Nevada's children's hospital
A video introducing LeAnne and her story can be found here.
Renown Children’s Hospital and Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) are excited to announce LeAnne Wallace as the 2026 Champion Child. LeAnne will serve as the Champion Child for the next year, serving as the face of the hospital throughout the community.
LeAnne’s Journey
At age 15, LeAnne was a highly active teenager involved in multiple sports. Following a series of unexplained fainting episodes, her family suspected she had anemia. LeAnne and her family traveled from Fallon to Reno, where she was admitted to Renown Children’s Hospital for evaluation. Diagnostic testing confirmed T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a rapidly progressing cancer of the blood and bone marrow.
LeAnne’s treatment began immediately and was extensive. She underwent surgery, numerous blood and platelet transfusions, intensive chemotherapy, lumbar punctures and bone marrow biopsies. With her family and a best-in-class pediatric oncology team led by Dr. Seema Rao of Renown Children’s Hematology and Oncology by her side, she was determined to fight the disease.
In March 2025, LeAnne was faced with a significant challenge during her cancer care journey, when severe pain sent her to Renown Children’s Hospital for 17 days. Her weight dropped to just 80 pounds, and she experienced seizures, brain swelling, hallucinations, dangerously high blood pressure, and a bacterial infection. However, according to LeAnne’s mother Jessilyn Wallace, these obstacles did not affect LeAnne’s faith that she would recover. The Wallaces and their pediatric oncology team at Renown Children’s Hospital jumped into action.
“The day that LeAnne was first diagnosed with cancer is forever etched in our minds,” said Jessilyn Wallace. “But her resilience, matched with Dr. Rao’s expertise and a compassionate nursing and Child Life team, gave us hope every step of the way. Even when LeAnne’s body was weak, her spirit stayed strong. Renown Children’s Hospital doctors, nurses and child life specialists provided constant support, helping LeAnne endure each phase of treatment. They never gave up, and neither did we – and we will always be incredibly grateful to her care teams.”
“LeAnne is truly a champion!” said Brian Erling, MD, MBA, President and CEO, Renown Health. “She and her family have faced extraordinary challenges with grit, courage and determination, and they continue to move forward with hope for a brighter future. Their strength inspires all of us. They are outstanding ambassadors for Renown Children’s Hospital. Together, we will keep advancing hope, healing and opportunities for every child and family to live their best life.”
ALL is the most common type of cancer in children, accounting for about 25% of all childhood cancer cases. Although cases are most often found in children aged one through four, teenagers like LeAnne can also develop the disease. Thanks to advancements in medicine, according to the National Cancer Institute, the five-year survival rate for ALL (counting patients of all ages) is now 72.6%.
“Equally as important to a child’s treatment is their determination, and LeAnne is an outstanding example of a child who never gives up no matter how difficult their experiences may be,” said Seema Rao, MD, Pediatric Oncologist, Renown Children’s Hospital. “At only 17 years old, LeAnne has already shown a level of strength and courage that inspires everyone around her. Surviving leukemia is an incredible milestone, and becoming a CMN Champion Child demonstrates how she has chosen to turn her experience into hope for others. It has been an honor to be involved in her healthcare journey.”
Today, after several years of hospital stays, many different procedures, aggressive treatments and obstacles along the way, LeAnne is in remission and has officially entered the maintenance phase of her cancer treatment. Her final day of chemotherapy is scheduled for late summer or early fall of 2026, kicking off her junior year. She is now a healthy weight, and her hair has grown back. As she continues to regain her strength, LeAnne lives life to the fullest by doing the things she loves most; playing volleyball, driving her truck, doing arts and crafts and laughing with friends and family. Her goal is to join the U.S. Marine Corps after graduating high school.
“LeAnne is the perfect fit to represent Renown Children’s Hospital as the 2026 CMN Champion Child,” said Kristina Deeter, MD, MBA, FAAP, Physician-in-Chief, Renown Children’s Hospital and Chair of Pediatrics, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine. “Her story of perseverance through an unrelenting cancer diagnosis has inspired us. I am confident that LeAnne is poised to be an exceptional ambassador for our children’s hospital and will energize and empower families like hers who are also facing a life-altering diagnosis.”
Dr. Deeter adds, “Through Renown Children’s Hospital, LeAnne and over 100,000 children across our region have access to a full spectrum of pediatric services across both inpatient and outpatient settings, with the region’s only dedicated children’s hospital that includes a Level II Pediatric Trauma Center and 24/7 Emergency Room for Kids. Today we have 42 pediatricians, across 22 pediatric specialties, such as pediatric gastroenterology and pediatric ophthalmology, who bring value and expertise to our area, keeping kids and their families, close to home.”
Dr. Deeter explains, “Prior to 2016, about 30% of all critically ill pediatric patients had to leave northern Nevada to receive the specialty care they needed. Now, thanks to donor and community support, we estimate that 97% of all pediatric patients and their families can receive both general and specialty pediatric care locally.” The next nearest children’s hospital in the state is seven hours away in Las Vegas.
How Donations Help
Renown Children’s Hospital is proud to be the only Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) hospital in northern Nevada, one of only 170 premier children’s hospitals in North America. Renown Health Foundation oversees the local CMN programs and its fundraising. Over the past 41 years of membership, CMN and local northern Nevada partners have raised over $20 million for Renown Children’s Hospital. In 2025, those donations went to equipment (63.93%), advancement services (18.03%), education (9.84%), patient services (6.56%) and charitable care (1.64%).
Donations to Renown Children’s Hospital and Children’s Miracle Network help expand pediatric cancer care, so kids like LeAnne can receive expert care close to home. Support also makes Child Life services and small comforts possible, including headphones and games that bring moments of normalcy during long hospital stays while she received lifesaving treatment.
Funds raised by CMN partners — including 7-Eleven, Costco, Walmart and Sam’s Club, Panda Express, Dairy Queen, Love’s Travel Stops, Handel's Ice Cream, Hub Coffee Roasters, Plumb and Pine, Ace Hardware, Red Robin, Credit Unions for Kids and Wolf Pack Dance Marathon — stay local to support children and families in our community. Your generous gift affords much-needed items to help our littlest patients cope with the potential stressors associated with hospitalization and illness.
"We are honored to welcome LeAnne as our new CMN Champion Child. Her journey is a powerful reminder of why CMN programs matter and the hope it brings to families," said Greg Walaitis, Chief Development Officer, Renown Health Foundation. "Join our healing mission and help make a difference for kids like LeAnne by purchasing an icon CMN balloon or rounding up your change at a CMN retail or service partner throughout the year."
To support Renown Children’s Hospital, visit renown.org/donate or stop by a CMN retail or food service partner.
About Renown Health
As the state’s first not-for-profit academic health system, Renown Health is dedicated to transforming lives, strengthening communities, and providing care for all people across Nevada, Lake Tahoe and northeast California. Together with the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Renown Health improves health and lives through exceptional care, comprehensive education and training, and innovative research to ensure a healthier future for Nevada. To join the team, visit renown.org/careers.
About Children’s Miracle Network
For more than 40 years, Children’s Miracle Network® has been a symbol of hope, elevating possibilities for every child in need of care. As the leading charity impacting children’s health, we unite people, partners, and programs to raise urgently needed funds for children’s hospitals across the U.S. and Canada. Wherever you see our iconic balloon, you’ll find donors, corporate partners and fundraising programs joining forces to help hospitals meet their most critical needs, from life-saving treatments and advanced equipment to innovative research and family support. Every dollar raised supports the local children’s hospital, bringing brighter futures within reach for all kids. Learn more at cmn.org.
