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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.

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Vaccines that provide protection against the COVID-19 virus are bringing us closer to the end of this deadly pandemic. Two different COVID-19 vaccines are currently available in the U.S. today: one from Pfizer and the other from Moderna. Kate Ward, PharmD, BCPS, Director of Clinical Pharmacy at Renown Health and Adam Porath, PharmD, Vice President of Pharmacy at Renown, share what you need to know about these vaccines. When two COVID-19 vaccines were approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in December 2020, it was cause for celebration. Why? Because according to the CDC, the vaccines are 94 percent or more effective in providing protection against the COVID-19 virus! Many people are seeking information about the new Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. Below, our pharmacy leaders provide answers to some commonly asked questions. How do the COVID-19 Vaccines Work? The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are both mRNA vaccines that help your immune system develop antibodies against the COVID-19 virus. The vaccines use messenger RNA, or mRNA, to show our bodies’ protein-making cells how to make the spike proteins of the COVID-19 virus. Our immune system reacts to these spike proteins by creating antibodies that can recognize and destroy them. So when a person is exposed to the virus in the future, they will be less likely to get sick. What are the Differences between the Pfizer and Moderna Vaccines? The Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are very similar, with just a few small differences worth noting. The main difference between the two vaccines is when you should receive your follow-up dose. Patients who receive a first dose of Pfizer should receive their second dose about three weeks later. Those who receive a first dose of Moderna should receive their follow-up vaccination roughly four weeks after their first dose. People 18 years and older can receive the Moderna vaccine while people 16 years and older can receive the Pfizer vaccine. Dosage for the Moderna vaccine is 0.5 ml (100 mcg). Dosage for the Pfizer vaccine is 0.3 ml (30 mcg).

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