How a sled dog saved the children of Nome. Nome, Alaska, 1925. Balto the sled dog lives a quiet life- until tragedy strikes. Dozens of children in the far-off town of Nome become sick with diphtheria. Without medicine, they'll die- and the closest supply is 650 miles away! The only way to get to Nome is by sled. But can the sled dogs deliver the medicine in time? Heading bravely into a blizzard, Balto leads the race for life.