Grass Valley, 6/3/25 – Under sunny skies and with hearts full of joy, the Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital Foundation proudly welcomed over 100 guests to the Cancer Center Picnic on Sunday, June 1st at the Nevada County Fairgrounds’ Whitney Pavilion. It was a long-awaited return for this beloved event, the first time the community has gathered for the picnic since 2019.
This free event, designed to honor and uplift cancer survivors, patients, caregivers, and their families, was a powerful reminder of the strength, connection, and resilience found in Western Nevada County. Attendees enjoyed a day of celebration with live music, a delicious barbeque courtesy of Bill’s Chuckwagon, and sweet treats from CoCo’s Creamery, all made possible thanks to the generosity of local sponsors.
“This gathering was about more than food and music,” said Sandra Barrington, Executive Director of the Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital Foundation. “It was about community — coming together in support, remembrance, and celebration of life.”
Additional thanks go out to our event supporters:
Grocery Outlet, Home Depot Auburn, Eskaton Grass Valley, Nevada County Fairgrounds, Raley’s, SaveMart, SPD Markets, and PepsiCo.
Guests were welcomed through Gate 4 with easy access to Gate 5 parking and complimentary shuttle service provided by Eskaton—making the day smooth and accessible for all.
With the success of this year’s picnic, the SNMH Foundation is thrilled to announce that the Cancer Center Picnic will return in 2026. Plans are already underway to grow the event, creating even more opportunities to support and celebrate the individuals and families whose lives have been touched by cancer in our community.
About Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital Foundation: Since its inception in 1984, the SNMH Foundation has played an integral role in enhancing the quality of healthcare in Nevada County through fundraising and community engagement. Past projects include the transformation of
the Emergency Department, updates to the Surgery Department, and improvements to critical care access points, including helipad resurfacing and technology upgrades.