Charter
A MileKids & Sponsors
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Charter
A Mile
Kids & Sponsors
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Mile 47
Old Pueblo Traders
for Cassie, Brianna and Lauren
Cassie is 15 year old survivor of AML, an adult form of leukemia. Cassie has
had a long battle with cancer through chemotherapy, relapses, bone marrow transplants,
and even major surgeries. Yet, through it all, Cassie has remained positive
and loves to have a good time whether she is playing games with her sisters
or laughing with friends. Her sisters have been a great help to Cassie through
her treatments, always wanting to be by her side and do whatever they can to
make her more comfortable. Sometimes, her sisters even fight about who can help
Cassie first.
Mile 48
Old Pueblo Traders
for Jose
Jose is an eight-year-old boy who has endured two bone marrow transplants as
a result of his diagnosis of Fanconis anemia. He remains in good spirits despite
the many, many hours he has spent in treatment. Everyone who meets him immediately
falls in love with his bright smile. Jose enjoys spending time with his “amiga”,
Tu Nidito volunteer Melanie, and waits for her by the window on the days she
comes to tutor him.
Mile 49
Old Pueblo Traders
for Joshua
Twelve-year-old Joshua loved cars and dreamed of being a mechanic when he grew
up. He was working on his aunt’s car when he became ill and was hospitalized.
Joshua had been living with heart problems from a young age and had survived
surgery to receive an artificial heart as a step to a donor heart. Joshua had
been doing well, so his death was unexpected. He was an only child, and his
parents have struggled to go on without him over the last year. Tu Nidito helped
support the family during his hospitalization and has continued to be there
for his family since his death.
Mile 50
Old Pueblo Traders
for Jon Jon
Jon Jon wished he could be a super hero. A quiet little boy with beautiful brown
eyes, Jon Jon loved playing with his cousins and going to the park. His loving,
extended family surrounded him with joy, support and prayers during his two-year
treatment for leukemia. They embraced him with love when he died. Jon Jon and
his family relied on Tu Nidito for emotional support during his treatment, assisted
his family with funeral arrangements, and continues to stay in touch with his
family now that they have returned to their home outside of Arizona. Charter-A-Mile
Descriptions on next five pages
Mile 51
Old Pueblo Traders
for 16-year-old Kaile
At sixteen years old, Kaile has seen much more of hospitals than she ever cared
to. Since the time of her diagnosis with Leukemia, she has never been well enough
to survive on her own outside of a hospital setting for more than a few weeks.
Though incredibly frustrated and angry about her confinement, Kaile has found
strength in the loving company of her family. Her six siblings take turns staying
with her in the hospital – and Kaile’s mom has not left her side,
ever. Kaile has suffered tremendously since her diagnosis, yet she has never
let her humor leave her. If anything Kaile has only become more creative and
playful with her words, always bringing laughter to those in her company. Tu
Nidito is honored to be involved in Kaile’s journey, offering her and
her mom friendship and emotional support while they move through this devastating
illness.
Mile 52
Old Pueblo Traders
for Ernie R.
Ernie is a sweet little boy with Leukemia and Down’s syndrome. Ernie loves
to take care of others and always makes sure that you have a blanket to keep
you warm if you are sleeping. This past summer Ernie had a bone marrow transplant.
While he was hospitalized his brothers and sisters had fun at Tu Nidito’s
Magwitch Treehouse Summer Camp while mom and dad cared for Ernie in the hospital.
Mile 53
Old Pueblo Traders
for Nayelli
Eleven year old, Nayelli, came to the United States from Mexico after being
diagnosed with Leukemia. Nayelli went on to receive a bone marrow transplant
that cured her Leukemia. With the help of Tu Nidito, Nayelli eventually enrolled
in school and made friends in Tu Nidito’s Family Ties support group. Nayelli
is now thriving and enjoys going to the movies and hanging out with friends
she met at her new school.
Mile 54
Old Pueblo Traders
for Billy
A true lover of music, Billy finds he is able to give voice to his emotions
through music. At twenty years old, Billy is a real warrior, having battled
a relentless diagnosis of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma since the age of fifteen.
Billy has chosen to let his illness shape him into a stronger human being, rather
than giving his life away to his illness. He continues to attend college, with
his sights set on a career in Bio-Medical Research. At times it can feel that
some of the children here at Tu Nidito give us more than we give them, and with
Billy that couldn’t be more clearly seen. Billy is a model for how to
dance with life instead of against it. He continues to open doors that lead
to increased optimism and a celebration of life – despite the fact that
his cancer is showing little response to treatment
Mile 55
Old Pueblo Traders
for Alex
Twelve -year-old Alex is curious about the world around her and enjoys so many
things: the color pink, coloring, skating, horses and ballet. When Alex was
six, she had a liver transplant. Five years later at the age 11, she developed
post-transplant lymphoma. She is currently undergoing her second round of chemotherapy
after a relapse in 2005. Alex has a Tu Nidito volunteer who sees her weekly
to play and get Alex’s mind off of her treatment. Alex, her parents and
little brother attend Tu Nidito’s Family Ties support group.
Mile 56
Old Pueblo Traders
for Jennifer
Jennifer, like many sixteen-year-old girls, dreams of meeting Usher. After a
grueling year of hospitalization, chemotherapy, treatment, and many days of
feeling downright awful, she is beginning to emerge from the weight of her diagnosis
of Leukemia. Jennifer’s two younger sisters have struggled to understand
what Jennifer is going through. Their father balances the early hours of a construction
job with the many medical appointments necessitated by Jennifer’s condition,
while raising three girls on his own. Tu Nidito has become a place the entire
family can feel held and cared for. Tu Nidito’s Social Workers provide
personal, one-on-one support to Jennifer and her family. Through the care of
Tu Nidito, Jennifer has navigated periods of severe depression and hopelessness
– and learned little by little how to open up and meet the world as it
is, with a smile.
Mile 57
Beach, Fleischman & Co., P.C
for Katelynn
Although Katelynn is only 3 years old, she is a fighter. She is not afraid to
speak her mind and tell you what she needs. She has a heart condition that resulted
from a viral infection. When she spent 3 months in the hospital awaiting a heart
transplant, she decorated her room with pink and purple crowns. She likes to
do art projects and walk her baby dolls in their carriage around the hospital
unit. Tu Nidito provided emotional support to Katelynn’s family during
her long hospitalization.
Mile 58
Alan Abrams, Scott K. Baker & Dan Rudrud
in honor of All Tu Nidito Children
A Tu Nidito child is either dealing with a terminal or life limiting illness
or grieving the loss of a loved one. Through comprehensive programs of individual,
family and group care, Tu Nidito provides support to children as they deal with
the most difficult times imaginable. Tu Nidito thanks El Tour riders and supporters
for being a light in the lives of these very special children
Mile 85
Meritage Homes
for Francisco
Few thirteen-year-olds have developed the courage and strength of heart that
Francisco has. Having been diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy at the age of five
and Cardio-Myopathy at the age of seven, Frank has been in and out of hospitals
most of his life. Because the disease has continued to advance in his body,
Frank is no longer able to walk, and is mostly confined to a wheelchair. Frank’s
heart has also become unable to function on its own, necessitating a constant
intravenous drip medicine to help keep his heart pumping. Frank is currently
in hospice care, but meeting him you would never know how compromised his health
really is. Sometimes our children are described as ‘angels’ –
and after meeting Frank one would know why. Tu Nidito continues to offer emotional
support to him and his family through direct contact at their home each week.
Mile 97
Charter Funding
for Benny
Four-year-old Benny is your typical little boy who loves monster trucks, rough
housing with his brother and digging in the sandbox. Unfortunately, Benny is
dealing with neuroblastoma. He has had 2 bone marrow transplants. Benny and
his brother attended Tu Nidito’s Magwitch Tree House Summer Camp where
for a moment they had no cares in the world and got to do what they love best,
have fun!
Mile 98
Charter Funding
for 9-year-old Ashley
Despite being in treatment for leukemia, nine- year-old Ashley seems to have
boundless energy. Ashley loves to perform and is usually found singing, dancing,
and putting on a show. Ashley showed off her talents during a talent show at
Tu Nidito’s Magwitch Treehouse summer camp.
Mile 99
Charter Funding
for Jonathon
Jonathon was diagnosed with Leukemia when he was only two years old. Now at
age three, he has many “girlfriends”, the nurses in the oncology
clinic. He is the second youngest of four brothers and enjoys giving kisses.
Jonathan always has a smile for others and enjoys running and playing outside
with his cousins and sisters.
Mile 100
Margaret & Jack Tyrrell of Tycor Realty Co.
for 9-year-old Jamie
Nine-year-old Jamie was everyone’s little mother. She adored her brother
and young cousins and always looked out for them. When Jamie was in treatment
for AML, a form of blood cancer, she befriended another little girl on her floor.
It wasn’t unusual to see them riding through the hospital on their I.V.
poles. Jamie died of complications from her cancer treatment. Tu Nidito provided
support to Jamie and her family throughout her treatment and continues to provide
individual and group support to her loved ones now that she is gone.
Mile 101
Kent D. Maas, Appraisals and Associates
for Cody
Cody was diagnosed at birth with myotubular myopathy, requiring him to be on
a ventilator. He is now 14 and loves trains, NASCAR, baseball, movies, geography,
insects, and animals. He is a whiz at all Play Station games. It is amazing
that he enjoys all of this while being confined to his bed. Tu Nidito provides
his family with the resources they need to cope with Cody’s illness. His
social worker visits him monthly bringing supplies for his care and smiles to
his face. Tu Nidito volunteers recently bounded together and painted the family’s
home.
Mile 102
Matt Meister of Charter Funding
for Paige
Paige was born with a severe form of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), resulting
in gradual loss of nerve and muscle movement. At seven months old, Paige is
already losing the ability to move her limbs and head in a normal way, her body
slumping if not properly supported. A primary concern with Paige is that her
respiratory muscles may begin to fail, leading to an increased risk for pneumonia
or collapsed lungs. Because of her limited mobility, Paige has compensated with
a greater reliance on vision and hearing. She loves to gaze into her mother’s
eyes, to listen to the sounds of Tele-Tubbies, and to watch the family’s
pet rabbit hop around the house. For Paige, these simple things are captivating.
Paige’s mom has found respite from her continual at-home care of Paige
through the volunteer services offered by Tu Nidito. Through the help of Tu
Nidito volunteers, Paige’s mom has been better able to return to school
and tend to her daily errands.
Mile 103
Gary Gutierrez’s of Charter Funding
for 3-year-old Marco
Marco charmed all who met him. He glowed with playfulness and mischief. Marco
died at age 3 from neuroblastoma and while his life was short, it was filled
with love. Marco loved trains, Sesame Street, car rides, doggies, his “blankie”
and always had his “binkie” (pacifier) close at hand. Marco and
his family received one-on-one support during Marco’s treatment. If you
visit Tu Nidito, you will find Marco’s colorful memorial tree in the corner
of the playground. This delightful tree is a true reflection of Marco’s
gentle and colorful spirit.
Mile 104
Lori Skolnik and Barbara Moylan of Keller Willaims Realty
for Sydney
Sydney was a child whose courage and spirit are present in the El Tour de Tucson
bike ride. Despite struggling with a degenerative and terminal medical condition,
Sydney participated in the El Tour Kid’s Ride and proudly greeted her
daddy, Russell, as he completed the adult event. Sydney’s El Tour legacy
continues despite her death two years ago at age 11. Her father and many others
touched by her spirit continue to ride in her honor. Sydney was a fearless,
happy, and outrageously funny little girl. While Sydney is greatly missed, her
spirit continues to soar in the hearts of all she touched.
Mile 105
Copper Quail Realty
for Izzy
Three-year- old Izzy is currently in remission from leukemia. She has spent
much of her childhood in treatment, but she has still managed to keep a smile
on her face. Izzy loves peanut butter, playing games, and spending time with
her daddy at the Harley Davidson shop. Izzy’s family has been able to
connect with other families by participating in Tu Nidito’s support groups
and summer camp.
Mile 106
Letty Huffman’s of Charter Funding
for Noah
Noah is a six year survivor of Rhabitomyosacrcoma, a cancer of the eye. Although
Noah received a prosthetic eye during his treatment to remove the cancer, he
does not let it stop him from doing anything. He loves to learn and challenges
the people around him with questions about how things work. Noah loves coming
to Tu Nidito’s summer camp. His family has benefited from the strong support
network they found at Tu Nidito.
Mile 107
Jackie Draves of Charter Funding
for Jonah
It is hard to believe that someone as young as Jonah has already endured so
much in his short life. Jonah’s diagnosis of Short-Gut Syndrome means
that he has spent most of his young life in the hospital. Jonah’s three
siblings met him for the first time when he was released for the hospital. Jonahs’s
mom is a single mom caring for four children and dealing with the demands of
Jonah’s medical care. Tu Nidito has helped Jonah’s family meet urgent
housing bills whenever possible, and continues to offer on-going emotional support
to Jonah’s mom. A mother should never have to have it so hard, and the
collective heart of Tu Nidito shares in this mom’s difficulty and pain.
Mile 108
Meg Swain of Charter Funding
for MJ
Three-year-old MJ has cancer and has spent most of her life in and out of the
hospital for treatment. However, the family has found a safe haven at Tu Nidito’s
Family Ties support group for children with serious illnesses. MJ’s mom
and brother can network with other families going through similar experiences.
MJ looks up to her brother and was excited that she got to attend our Magwitch
Treehouse Summer Camp
Mile 109
Todd Abelson of Charter Funding
for Shaun
At the tender age of three months, Shaun was diagnosed with Infant ALL, a form
of leukemia. After a month of chemotherapy and a cord blood transfusion, Shaun
is cancer free! He is now a happy, healthy two year old. Shaun, his mom and
brother come to Tu Nidito’s Family Ties support group. During his treatment
Tu Nidito volunteers stayed with Shaun while his mother got some rest after
the demanding schedule of medical appointments and working a night job. Shaun’s
mother shares this message with the El Tour riders “Thank You! And Keep
Riding”
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