It all started with one brave kid.
Tyler Robinson was a bright, fun-loving teenager and a superfan of the Las Vegas-based band Imagine Dragons. Despite multiple health setbacks and being diagnosed with stage four cancer, throughout months of radiation and chemotherapy, Tyler courageously kept a positive outlook. He was inspired by a line from the Imagine Dragons song “It’s Time” which goes, “The path to heaven runs through miles of clouded hell.” When the band heard the story, they dedicated the song to Tyler. Sadly, Tyler lost his battle with cancer on March 4, 2013, at the age of 17.
From the ashes of this tragedy, Tyler’s family and members of Imagine Dragons came together to create the Tyler Robinson Foundation (TRF). The Foundation’s mission is to help other families financially and emotionally cope with the ordeal of pediatric cancer by raising funds to offset out-of-pocket life expenses. Warren Volker, MD, PhD, Intermountain’s chief clinical officer for Nevada, serves on the TRF board as part of Intermountain’s ongoing efforts to give back and support the community.
Each year since Tyler’s passing, the Foundation hosts a fundraising event called the Rise Up Gala. This year’s gala attracted a sold-out crowd of 660 guest to the Wynn Las Vegas outdoor pavilion on October 22. The gala was hosted by actor and comedian Joel McHale and featured an exclusive performance by the Grammy award-winning Imagine Dragons.
Dr. Paul Krakovitz and Dr. Warren Volker
The Rise Up Gala honors individuals and organizations in the community who contribute to TRF by volunteering their resources and raising awareness for pediatric cancer. Intermountain Healthcare was this year’s Community Impact honoree.
“The work the Tyler Robinson Foundation does to fight pediatric cancer is energizing and is having a tremendous impact on families experiencing this battle,” says Paul Krakovitz, MD, Intermountain Healthcare Nevada’s regional president. “We’re grateful and deeply touched to be recognized as the Community Impact honoree as part of this year’s gala.” Watch a video message from Dr. Krakovitz about the award.
Other community organizations and individuals honored at this year’s gala included Team TRF honoree Richard Rundle Elementary School and TRF Legacy Award honorees Matthew Frazier and John C. Kish Foundation.
This year’s event raised more than $2.6 million for the Foundation. Imagine Dragons lead singer Dan Reynolds donated $50,000 when a guest agreed to go onstage and sing the band’s hit “Radioactive.” In addition, the band’s drummer purchased a painting by Las Vegas artist Neal Portnoy for $5,000 and the money was donated to the Foundation.