Cancer Services of New Mexico's
Zoo Day for Kids with Cancer
2011 Zoo Day Participants
Each year, a group of current and former pediatric cancer patients and their families are treated to a special time together at the Rio Grande Zoo.
Zoo Day 2010
On July 31st, 2010, 425 people from nearly 80 families coping with pediatric cancers enjoyed this special day of fun and sharing. It's hard to believe we started this program in 2002 with fewer than 50 participants
We completely revamped the program in 2010, with "Zoo Night" becoming "Zoo Day," and the changes made for an amazing event! The kids and their families began their day at Tingley Park, where they checked in and received official "Zoo Day" t-shirts. They participated in a variety of fun carnival games and activities, trading their winning tickets for a large assortment of prizes. Families were treated to a family picture, food and beverages, balloon animals, and face painting. Exhibitors provided information on services for families coping with pediatric cancers. Darth Vader and his Stormtrooper army made a special appearance, and the Albuquerque Police Department (Special Tactical Forces Division) brought their bomb robot, horse patrol, K-9 unit, DWI mobile unit, SWAT team armored tank, and even flew in a helicopter and landed it!! Wow! After all the fun at the park, the kids and their families were free to spend the rest of the day at the beautiful Rio Grande Zoo. We saw lots of smiles and heard lots of laughter! It was a great time for all!
Major financial supporters in 2010 included Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Gap, Inc., and the Walmart Foundation, with the Ethicon and Gap also providing many, many volunteers to help the event run smoothly. The Northwest Optimists club continued their longstanding involvement in this event, coordinating our carnival area and providing prizes and face painters. Special thanks also go to The 501st Legion Dewvack Ridge Squad, the Albuquerque Biopark, the Albuquerque Downtown Action Team, the Albuquerque Police Department, American General Media, Citadel Communications, Clear Channel Communications, Creamland, Everest Digital Scanning, Garcia's Tents and Events, Graphic Connection, Kim & Heather Higgins, Ursula Kelly, Panda Express, The Printer's Press, Rent-A-Tent, Rick Johnson & Company, Screen Actors Guild of NM, Teamsites.com, the UNM Pediatric Oncology Program, and Wendy's.
Zoo Day 2011
Our 2011 Zoo Day for Kids with Cancer will instead be the Explora Day. Explora Day will be held in Summer 2011. All current and former New Mexican pediatric cancer patients are invited to attend for free, along with their parents and siblings. For more information, please check the Explora Day page or contact us.