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2021 Edition a publication of Children's Hope Foundation, Inc. THE COURAGEOUSJOURNAL

FACTS ABOUT NAVAJO MINE, WHICH IS OWNED BY NTEC. In 1963, active Navajo Mine operations began. As the sole supplier of fuel to the Four Corners Power Plant, the power generated plays a significant role in meeting the energy needs of the Southwest. The Navajo Mine is located on the Navajo Nation, a vast Indian reservation that spans three states and has boundaries that encompass 27,000 square miles of traditional Navajo homelands. The Navajo Mine workforce is 85 percent Native American with the average mine worker earning $153,000 annu ally. Many workers live in the local area, but others commute as many as two hours each way to be a part of Navajo Mine’s workforce. Since acquiring the mine in 2013, NTEC has significantly increased the scope and pace of reclama tion to eliminate a backlog from prior operations. NTEC has also implemented new surface mining techniques.

NAVAJO MINE KEY FACTS NTEC is proud to support The Children’s Hope Foundation and to sponsor Konner Dowdy’s Story WWW.NAVENERGY.COM • Type of Coal: Mine mouth thermal coal, 8950 Btu, for power plant • Type of Mine: Surface • Tonnage: 4.7 million tons annually • 800+ jobs mostly Navajo employees • $100M payroll for mine and power plant • $40M in contract services ANNUALLY NTEC’S DIRECT BENEFITS TO THE NAVAJO PEOPLE

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2021 Edition 1 THE COURAGEOUSJOURNAL Executive Director: Debbie Joslin Administrative Assistant: Brenda Shepherd Development Director: Shelly Diede Editor: Debbie Joslin Designer: Tiffany Kincaid Megan JessicaChadStuartRandyAnnetteSandbotheRisleyJoslinBuckinghamFelderFelder 1503 Schofield Lane Farmington, New Mexico 87401 www.thechildrenshope.org (505) 787-2143 The Children's Hope Foundation The Children's Hope Foundation assists children and their families with healthy beginnings, growth opportunities and support during times of crisis. Board of Directors: • Gasoline & Food Vouchers • Lodging Assistance • Emergency Housing & Utilities • Travel Expenses (related to treatment) 2021 Edition • Funeral Expenses • Toys & Small Gifts • Peer Counseling & Coaching • End of Life Care Our Care Points Program touches many families and children in ways such as:

04-LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Change is hard. What do we do with the “New Normal”? 07-WORKING TOGETHER PMS Roundtree Children’s Development Services 11-AWESOME PARTNER DJR Operating, LLC. 15-PEOPLE WHO INSPIRE Konner’s story of resilience in the face of a “new normal”. 20-GRATITUDE Find out how your support goes to helping the children & families affected by childhood diseases. 21-RANDOM ACTS OF COURAGE Inspiring stories of families who chose to be courageous in the face of adversity. 29-OUR RAFFLE Our first raffle went better than we could have ever anticipated. Thank you for your participation in this inaugural event. TABLE CONTENTSOF

That being said, this is what the families we serve at The Children’s Hope Foundation endure daily as they receive the unbearable medical diagnosis that their child has cancer, heart disease or some other life altering illness. They are faced with multiple out of town medical appointments and must watch as their child is poked, prodded, and injected with dangerous chemicals, all to hopefully save their child’s life. Sometimes affected limbs must be removed and the chemo makes their hair fall out. The other children in the home can often feel abandoned and overlooked because the sick child requires so much attention. With every diagnosis of cancer, heart disease or other serious disease, families are faced with accepting a “new normal.”

DEBBIE JOSLIN

follow me on debbie.b.joslinFacebook

Thank you for joining us on this journey of support for the families we serve!

This issue of The Courageous Journal is full of stories of the families we serve at The Children’s Hope Foundation. These families take all of this “change” with great tenacity and face their “new normal” head on! Their level of courage is admirable to say the least.

2021 Edition 3 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

HELLO FRIENDS, If there is one word that stands out to me the most concerning the past eighteen months, it is “change”. We as a local community and as a nation have endured so much change due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some days it can be hard to imagine what life was like before the pandemic. All the restrictions and mandates we’ve faced, friends and loved ones who’ve become ill and, sadly, those who’ve passed away have impacted us all so deeply. Things that used to be our normal way of life are no longer that way and we’ve all had to learn to live some sort of “new normal.”

Stetson, a darling two-year-old, was born with spina bifida, a birth defect that occurs when the spine and spinal cord do not form properly. He was also diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition related to spina bifida, which causes excess fluid build up in the cavities of his brain. Stetson’s spine in his lower back bulged out and had a hole in it the size of a quarter. When he was two days old, he was flown from San Juan Regional Hospital to UNM Children’s Hospital for surgery. The four-hour surgery repaired his spine, and a shunt was placed to drain excess fluid from his brain. As Stetson grows, the shunt that drains fluid from his brain will have to be replaced. Stetson is now learning to walk with the help of his walker. He is also very proud of his new glasses. This little boy makes us smile every time we see him. Stetson’s family is very grateful for your support, which allows them to travel for his medical care.

2021 Edition4 SPONSORED STORY STETSON

16 Rd 5860, Farmington, NM 87401 505-326-2968

We believe in supporting the children in our community and we are very proud to sponsor Stetson’s story.

We believe in supporting the children in our community. Children’s Hope would like to thank the Risley’s for supporting Alex and other children like him.

ALEX

Both offices located at: 2705 Rabbitbrush Dr. Farmington, New Mexico risleylaw.net505.326.1776 risleycpa.com505.325.5156

Alex, a 3-year-old little boy started pre-school this year. He is happy to be learning all of his letters, numbers and colors. It has been a long, hard journey. One month before he was due to be born, the doctor detected abnormalities in his heartbeat. An emergency C-section was performed, and Alex was flown from San Juan Regional Hospital to UNM Children’s Hospital the day after he was born. He was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot, a birth defect that affects normal blood flow through the heart. It happens when a baby’s heart does not form correctly as the baby grows and develops in the mother ’s womb during pregnancy. Alex had two holes in his heart and a main heart valve was closed. At three weeks of age, he underwent an 8-hour surgery to repair his heart. Throughout the next 45 days in the hospital, Alex suffered from an infection, pneumonia and a collapsed lung. Since his surgery, Alex has traveled to UNM often for check-ups, physical therapy and to monitor his medications. He was checked by his pediatric cardiologist in March and September, and is doing so well that he has been taken off all medication. His upcoming visit to the hospital will be for a routine echocardiogram and dental work.

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We are so happy to see this little boy thrive!

SPONSORED STORY NICHOLAS GUTIERREZ

recovery! 328 Road 350 Farmington, NM 505-326-554187410

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Nick loves baseball and began playing on a team when he was six years old. In July of 2019, Nick’s grandparents, who he has lived with since he was three, noticed that he was having trouble. He wasn’t swinging the bat the way they knew he could, his pitches were falling short and he couldn’t run as fast as usual. He began to tire easily, and they knew something was wrong. They took him in for a check-up and testing revealed that he had leukemia. Nick was very sick and was airlifted to UNM Children’s Hospital where he spent eight days and began his chemotherapy treatments. Six weeks after he had returned home, he became very sick and once again was airlifted to Albuquerque for an eleven day stay. The first six months of Nick’s treatment were very difficult, requiring travel to UNM Hospital sometimes every ten days, and sometimes every four days. His family stayed in Albuquerque over Christmas because he was receiving chemotherapy three days a week for those two weeks. There have been several visits to urgent care and one short stay at San Juan Regional. Thankfully, Nick is now stable as he approaches the final year of his three-year chemotherapy schedule. Nick loves to ride his bicycle, and to go camping and fishing with his granddad. He still loves baseball and can’t wait to play on a team again after he finishes his chemotherapy. His final treatment will be in September, 2022. We can’t wait to see Nick healthy and back on the field! Nick’s

Cheering for

AWESOME PARTNER DJR OPERATING, LLC.

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In 2017, DJR Energy, headquartered in Denver, CO turned their attention to the San Juan Basin of northern New Mexico with the acquisition of assets from Elm Ridge Exploration followed by another acquisition of Encana’s San Juan assets in 2018. DJR Operating, LLC. was formed to manage these gas and oil assets. Since the establishment of their office in Aztec in 2017, their actions and generosity have established DJR as an integral member of the San Juan community. The Children’s Hope Foundation is grateful to be one of the 14 charitable organizations in New Mexico receiving support from DJR.

DJR has a strong environmental ethic. The company is carbon neutral having offset their carbon dioxide equivalent emissions. As a company, DJR has spent over $13.3 million dollars cleaning up sites acquired from previous operators. DJR encourages employee participation in charitable giving by matching employees’ contributions. Employees can support one of the entities DJR’s supports or they can identify another charitable organization in New Mexico. Allowing flexibility for community support from both DJR and its employees is important aspect to assisting non-profits to aid those needing help. One of DJR’s priority projects in the community each year is the Christmas Giving Program. DJR adopts multiple families who need assistance during the holidays. Children’s Hope Foundation is proud to be one of the organizations who provides a list of families to DJR. Information about Christmas gifts for each family member is compiled and DJR employees then select gifts for a designated family member. Once all the gifts are obtained and wrapped, DJR and Children’s Hope Foundation work together to make deliveries to the families to help make their holiday wishes come true. From the beginning, DJR has been a generous sponsor for our major fund-raising events, including our “Walk for Hope,” Annual Dinner and Comedy, and most recently our 2021 RV Raffle. The entire staff is as generous with their time and efforts toward making our events a success as with their financial contributions.

During the COVID pandemic, DJR contributed to efforts to provide relief supplies to our tribal communities, and they donated water tanks to provide a source of water to livestock operations during the recent severe drought.

2021 Edition 11 Children’s Hope Foundation thanks you! DJR Energy is developing the area’s natural resources efficiently with community and environmental stewardship in mind. 1 Rd (505)Aztec,3263,NM632-3476djrllc.com

Residential and Commercial

Before being sedated for biopsies and surgeries, when he knew his mom was scared, Balian always told her, “Just take a deep breath and it will be okay.” In these days of uncertainty and change, this is advice that all of us can use. We are thankful that Balian touched our lives. He is missed. BALIAN TSOSIE your home Balian’s family 427-2430

In October, 2018, when he was 12 years old, Balian was diagnosed with pediatric osteosarcoma, a very aggressive bone cancer. Though he fought a courageous battle for two years, the cancer was relentless and incurable.

Caring for

All of us at Children’s Hope Foundation came to know Balian and his family over the two years that he was receiving medical care. This amaz ing, 14-year-old boy, was so much more than the cancer that ended his life. He was smart, funny, and most of all, he was kind. His smile could light up the entire room. Balian was born in October 2006, and like every child, he loved hearing the story of his birth. When his mother Erin was pregnant, doctors told her it was going to be a girl. The family was so excited and soon had dozens of pink clothes ready for a baby girl who would be named Olive. When Erin was flown to Albuquerque for an emergency c-section, the family followed and prayed for them both to be safe. Relief turned into complete joy when they found out she had given birth to a boy, Balian! He loved hearing that story and always giggled about how he tricked them all. A year after Balian was born, his brother, Timothy, and cousins, Avery and Gabby, came along. Two more cousins, Tannyn and Mia, arrived and family life revolved around diapers, snacks, playgrounds, splash pads and zoos. Growing up as the head of this pack of kids was so special for Balian and had a huge impact on his young life. As he got older, he shared his dream about his future family. He wanted a large family; six kids to be exact! He wanted a wife who was like his mom. Most importantly, he was going to name his first baby girl Olive to finally give his mom the daughter she never had. Balian loved learning new things and always tried to keep up with his school work even while he was in the hospital recovering from surgeries. All of us at Children’s Hope Foundation were so happy when Balian and Timothy came to our book club/arts and crafts sessions in 2019 (preCOVID). Only thirteen months apart in age, the two brothers were inseparable from the time they were toddlers. Erin described Timothy as the talker and Balian as the thinker. As Balian’s cancer progressed, Timothy took great care to protect his older brother. When he received his flu vaccine in 2019, Timothy told the pharmacist, “I’m doing this for my brother.” Timothy was at Balian’s side through his final breath.

and caring for our community Thank you Carpet One for supporting

REMEMBERING BALIAN

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and other families like his. 3456 East Main Street (505)

On New Year’s Day, 2021, Balian passed away.

2021 Edition 13 CAVE ENTERPRISES Supporting the Children's Hope Foundation. CleaningInspectionCasingTubingDrillPipe&Drifting of casing location Drill InspectionCollar EMIID-ODThreadingStraighteningCleaningInspectionTocomply to API specifications P: (505) 325-3401 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 79 Flora Vista New Mexico F: (505) Farmington7101PhysicalAddress:325-3663OldAztecHwy New Mexico New & Used Tubulars • Casing • Line Pipe Structural Pipe • Fencing • Building • Culvert You’ve got theirWe’veback.got yours. Kysar Leavitt Insurance Agency www.leavitt.com/kml/ 505-325-4561 Gold Star Academy & Child Development Center 1115 N. Auburn Farmington 324-TOYS (8697) Before & After school program FOCUS 5 star accredited Smiling Faces Child Care 520 W. Elm St. 258-4049Farmington Locally owned for over 20 years by Barbara Luna Tedrow Free full day NM Pre-k for 3&4 Year olds since 2005 Family Assitance & Children’s Educational Services Home Visiting 325-9850Program

When Konner was just one week old, Erin noticed a strange bruise-like rash which she knew was not normal. She called her friend who was just beginning her medical practice as a pediatrician. The physician said that it looked like a hemangioma and referred them to a dermatologist. This doctor confirmed the hemangioma and started Konner on intense medication. Erin was told that it should go away within a month. Instead, when Konner had his one-month exam, the spot had grown larger. The dermatologist explained that in some circumstances an internal hemangioma could be causing the one on the surface. Erin scheduled an appointment for Konner at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

Children are strong, brave and kind because their parents set an example every day. Konner is no exception. When he was born in February 2010, his father was serving a tour in Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Konner’s mom, Erin, and two older brothers had moved from Farmington, NM, to Arizona so they could be with her family during the pregnancy and birth.

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PEOPLE KONNER’S STORY

WHO INSPIRE

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The surgery was followed by two rounds of intensive chemotherapy. The first round was seven days long, and the second round was administered over six hours every day for three days. As a result of the chemotherapy, the cancer went into remission and the tumor that remained in Konner ’s abdomen became calcified and unable to grow. Konner will never be classified as NED (No Evidence of Disease) because the calcified tumor remains in his abdomen. Doctors do not want to biopsy the remaining tumor for fear that it could cause the tumor to “wake.”

Major surgery was performed to remove the tumor. Konner’s parents felt they were blessed to have one of the country’s leading neurologists perform the operation. Dr. David Adelson was on the golf course when he received a call about the need for emergency surgery. Dr. Adelson, along with Dr. Juan Acosta performed the surgery. While the tumor around and in Konner’s spine was successfully removed, a decision was made to leave the main tumor in Konner’s abdomen because it was entangled in nerves from his spine. A port was placed and a bone marrow biopsy was performed. Two days after the surgery, Konner’s dermatologist stopped in to check on Konner who was still on a ventilator in ICU. To everyone’s surprise, the hemangioma that first triggered the tests was completely gone. The tumor was so large that it had pressed against Konner’s right kidney and other organs. When part of the tumor was removed it released this pressure which allowed the rash to disappear

Konner was seven-weeks old when his father, Kyle, returned home from Iraq. The following day, Erin took Konner to his appointment at the hospital while Kyle took the older boys to an Arizona Diamondbacks game. After his appointment, Erin and Konner met the family at the game. While there, Erin received a call and was told that something was very wrong with Konner. This began a challenging journey that continues today, eleven years later. Tests had shown a large tumor in Konner’s abdominal cavity. Erin and Kyle were told to bring Konner back to the hospital as soon as possible for further tests. From there, events unfolded very quickly. At less than two-months of age, this baby boy received a diagnosis of cancer. The family had to rise to a challenge they never dreamed they would face. The official diagnosis was stage-two, intermediate risk para spinal neuroblastoma. A tumor in Konner’s abdomen had grown and extended both into and around his spinal cord. This type of cancer primarily affects infants younger than one year. Konner’s chance of survival was 65%. If the cancer had not been diagnosed until he was a few months older, his chance of survival would have been only 35%.

Erin speaks of her experience, “When your child is diagnosed with cancer it’s like you’re put inside this crazy tunnel and you can’t see or hear anything. You have to force yourself out of the tunnel in order to understand what is going on around you. It was complete chaos and my baby was smack dab in the middle. Most people, myself included, think/thought that once the cancer part is over, we were done. There are so many postchemo problems that these kids go through, and nobody talks about them. Konner, now eleven-years old, is doing great with the help of his team of doctors. He currently sees eleven different specialists including Orthopedic, Oncology, Urology, Neurology and Cardiology to name a few. He is still being treated for numerous issues caused by the chemotherapy he received when he was an infant. Most of these problems will be with him for the rest of his life.”

-Erin Dowdy-

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“Konner is a warrior! He is kind, caring, brave, talented and smart. He enjoys playing basketball and hanging out with his friends and his brothers. He loves watching movies, going to sporting events and traveling with his family.

Konner’s Mom

For Konner, his perspective is, “I have grown up in and out of hospitals and doctors’ offices. I have to get scans, blood draws, shots, heart tests and other things. I know when I was little, I had to get blood transfusions through my port. I have to do physical therapy for eight to twelve weeks every year, and that’s my favorite thing to do. I don’t know anything different because I was a baby when I had cancer, and now I’m eleven, and because of the surgeries and chemo I have to keep going to Arizona to see my doctors. At times, I just wish I could be a normal kid. One who can go and play sports or go to play with my friends, but I have certain medical things that keep me from being able to do certain things. I would really like to play football, but my back is not strong enough for it. I can play basketball and I am very thankful for that. I am also thankful for my doctors who have helped me so much.”

While Konner’s cancer was controlled by the chemotherapy, the long-term effects of these treatments on an infant creates serious challenges for the child and the family.

We are so thankful for Children’s Hope Foundation and their donors. Every donation helps children like Konner and their families.”

2021 Edition 17 Guardian Angel Home Health is dedicated to working with each affiliate to deliver the medical attention necessary for each client’s well being. Working alongside your physician, we provide the following in home services: Home Health, Hospice & Personal Care Services “Personalized Care- Home Delivered” Serving San Juan County for over 16 years Guardian Angel 2800 N Hutton Ave Farmington NM (505) guardianangelhh.com564-9002 5637 US HWY 64, Farmington, NM 87401 (505) nmassi.com327-0918 We are passionate about the Oilfield industry but our heart and soul is for our community.

Sterling was born with prune belly syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that has three main features:

and we

• There are problems with how the kidneys and bladder have formed.

• The baby’s abdominal muscles are weak or absent. As a result, the skin on the baby’s belly is wrinkled like a prune.

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In his young life, Sterling has undergone surgeries to repair his abdominal wall and urinary tract. This past June, he had surgery to re move a drainage tube that was placed in his ear when he was eighteen months old. The tube had become embedded in his ear and scar tissue had formed around it. The tube was successfully removed and Sterling’s ear has healed well. He receives regular checkups and care at UNM Children’s Hospital. support allows Children’s Hope Foundation to assist Sterling’s family with travel expenses so he can receive the medical care that he needs. believe in supporting the children in our community are very proud to sponsor Sterling’s story. E Murray Dr, Farmington, NM 87401 (505) 325-1821

Sterling, a bright eight year-old little boy, is a study in perpetual motion. Nothing slows this smart, loving, young man down!

• A baby boy’s testicles fail to drop from inside his body into his scrotum.

The syndrome can also affect other parts of the body including the heart, lungs, kidneys, intestines and skeletal system. Prune belly syndrome is rare. It happens to one out of about every 40,000 babies born, and 95% of cases happen to boys.

2021 Edition18 SPONSORED STORY STERLING JOHNSON

Your

GRATITUDE ADDISON DURAN

Addison is an energetic 4 yearold little girl. When she began to tire easily and started looking pale, her parents took her to the emergency room at San Juan Regional Medical Center. After preliminary blood tests, she was flown immediately to UNM Children’s Hospital in Albuquerque where she was diagnosed with Lymphoblastic Leukemia. After her initial stay in the hospital, Addison returned to Albuquerque once a week for Recently,chemotherapy.Addison stayed in Albuquerque for an entire week while she underwent four rounds of chemotherapy. She was very upset when the intensive chemotherapy caused her to lose her hair. We are extremely grateful that a special grant to The Children’s Hope Foundation allowed us to help Addison purchase a beautiful wig. It has made her so happy! We are very proud of this brave little girl as she fights this battle against her cancer, and we are grateful to all of you who support Children’s Hope Foundation. You are the reason that Addison is able to receive the medical care that is saving her life. This is what Addison’s mom Stevie wrote to us: “I just wanted to tell you ladies thank you for everything you guys do ... We got the news her next cycle of chemo will make her lose her hair by the time we get back home from abq [Albuquerque] it will al ready start falling out.... So that check came at the greatest time because now we will be able to purchase a good fitting wig Because... she has been devastated by the thought of having no hair... And this check we received just saved the day... we appreciate you guys so so much .. and I’ll never ever forget this help and support you guys have made available to us ..”

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This beautiful young woman is a fighter! Despite challenges with her balance and depth perception, she stays very active, plays hockey for Bloomfield Special Olympics, and loves being in school.

RANDOM ACTS OF COURAGE ADRIEL HERNANDEZ

Adriel was born seven weeks early, but everything seemed to be going so well for him the first few days, that it looked like he would be going home. That didn’t happen. Adriel’s newborn screening showed that he had no immune system. He was transferred to Children’s Hospital in Denver where further testing showed that he was born without a thymus gland.

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In April of 2018, when Ellianna was 14 years-old, she fell while running and hit the back of her head. Her mother noticed a bump on the back of her head and decided to take her to the hospital. After a CT scan was performed, she was transferred to University of New Mexico Hospital for further evaluation. An MRI of her brain showed the presence of a meningioma, a tumor that forms on the membrane just inside the skull. She was then sent to Children’s Hospital in Colorado where she underwent surgery and two rounds of high dose chemotherapy. Since completing her treatments, Elliana has progressed to the point that she now only goes to Denver for scans every six months.

His bone marrow cells have attacked Adriel’s lungs, skin, and gut. He was given chemotherapy to kill these cells, an immunosuppressan t, and he takes immunoglobulins every week. Adriel spent 365 straight days in the hospital, and then went back every week for blood draws. Now he is only going every three months. He has been waiting for a thymus transplant for two years and is currently 14th on the list. Adriel has been through so much in his short life, and yet remains a happy, cheerful little boy who makes all of us smile every time we see him! This beautiful, happy two and a half year old boy is the strongest fighter you will ever meet! Her mother calls Elliana “our miracle child.” At just two years old, Elliana was diagnosed with pineal atypical teratoid rhomboid teratoma, an aggressive tumor on the pineal gland which is located deep in the brain. She had surgery in 2006 to remove the tumor, and a shunt was placed for hydrocephalous, a build-up of fluid in the brain. She then underwent six rounds of chemotherapy, three rounds of stem cell transplants and radiation over a period of three years. Though left with mild epilepsy and visual perception problems, Elliana was in remission throughout her childhood.

ELLIANA CHAVEZ you’reWhenborn without a thymus the bone marrow is very immature. The cells think they are in the wrong body and attack theywhatevercan.

Because of this genetic disorder, Austin deals with epilepsy which causes frequent seizures. He also battles intellectual disabilities, including a delay in his speech ability. Progress with development is slow, but he is making progress and that’s what matters.

AUSTIN JIM

Antonio Gonzales

When Antonio’s mother experienced preterm labor at 34 weeks, an ultrasound showed that her baby boy had an enlarged heart. Antonio was born four weeks later at Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque. He was diagnosed immediately with pulmonary valve atresia, a heart defect in which the valve that lets blood out of the heart to go to the baby’s lungs doesn’t form correctly. Instead of opening and closing to allow blood to travel, a solid sheet of tissue forms. It is a lifethreatening situation. When he was two days old, Antonio had open-heart surgery to place a BT shunt, a small tube that is used to create a pathway for blood to go from the arterial circulation to the lungs. The shunt failed, and Antonio underwent another open-heart surgery to replace the shunt when he was just three days old. After five days, he developed an infection and was flown to Colorado Children’s Hospital in Denver. Once he was stable, after a week and a half, he was flown back to Albuquerque. At five weeks of age, Antonio was released from the hospital and allowed to go home for the first time. This little boy is a warrior, and at eight months was weaned off of supplemental oxygen. Antonio is carefully monitored. This past February, he underwent a heart catherization to make sure that the pressure in his heart was not elevating, and he will be reevaluated in July. As he grows, it will become necessary to either replace the shunt or to replace the valve.

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The shunt failed, and Antonio underwent another open-heart surgery to replace the shunt when he was just 3 days old.

For now, Antonio is a normal, happy little boy who delights in all of the attention that he receives from his big sisters, Aubrianna and Aaleiah.

Austin Jim is an eight-year-old boy who has been fighting since he was an infant. He began having seizures when he was eight months old, and at eleven months, he had a feeding tube inserted. When he was four years old, he was diagnosed with a very rare disorder of the HNRNPU gene. This gene is located on chromosome 1: We have two copies of chromosome 1, and therefore two copies of the HNRNPU gene. The gene is active in the brain, heart, kidneys and liver. This disorder is so rare that as of 2019, only 50 people throughout the world had been diagnosed with the condition.

GREAT JOB, FAITH!

Even though she has spent most of her life in a wheelchair, this little girl is extremely strong and agile. She can push herself out of her chair and onto the floor. From there, with very limited use of her legs, Faith loves to play catch, tag and other games. There seems to be no limit to her energy!

Faith is a four year-old little girl who is very bright, talkative, and always excited to learn new things.

From birth, this little champion has proven everyone wrong. She wriggled her toes when she was born and has continued to develop her legs and feet. Along with this syndrome, Faith was also born with club feet and has undergone numerous surgeries to repair both feet.

Before she was born, ultrasounds showed that she had Caudal Regression Syndrome, a rare birth defect that impairs the development of the lower half of the body. In this disorder, the bones of the lower spine are frequently misshapen or missing, and sections of the spinal cord are also irregular or missing. This syndrome, which affects only 1 in 60,000 developing infants, caused Faith’s backbone and spine to form abnormally, which affects her lower back, legs and feet. Before Faith was born, her mother was told that she would be paralyzed from the waist down and would have no feeling in her legs or feet.

2021 Edition22 FAITH KEESWOOD

Though her doctors thought she would never walk, Faith is now learning to take steps with the aid of a walker. We are all so proud of you, and cheering you on every step of the way.

2021 Edition 23 SPONSORED STORY LEONIDAS NEZ

Leonidas Nez is a teenage boy with a big heart and a willingness to always help others despite the challenges that he has faced for his entire life. When Leonidas was two weeks old, he was diagnosed with craniosynostosis. This is a birth defect in which one or more of the fibrous joints between the bones of the baby’s skull (cranial sutures) close prematurely (fuse), before the baby’s brain is fully formed. Brain growth continues, giving the head a misshapen appearance.

With Leonidas, because the soft spot on his head was closed, his brain moved forward in order to grow. He was also born with a cleft lip and palate. He has undergone 16 different surgeries in is life, the first when he was only one month old. When he was one year-old, Leonidas spent his first birthday in the hospital with his eyes swollen shut after surgery was performed to reconstruct the bones around his eyes. Because his brain had moved forward, the protective bones around his eyes did not form.

Leonidas recently had a surgery where his skull will be opened in order to reduce a scar which has widened, and fat will be removed from his stomach and inserted into his temples which have started to collapse. His uncle calls him “Iron Man” and his dad calls him “Super Man” because Leonidas doesn’t let anything stop him. He loves to help repair vehicles and to take pictures with his siblings.

Supporting the Children's Hope Foundation for a strong community. (505) 327-5245 (701) 774-3001 (432) 523-2008 (701) 774-3001 (432) 523-2008 (701) 774-3001 Steel Energy Services, LTD. is a portfolio of quality energy segment companies providing well servicing rigs for workover and completion, well logging and pump down perforating, stand alone and rig assist snubbing units and well testing flow back operations.

2021 Edition24 FULL OILFIELD SUPPLY COMPANY. ALL YOUR WELLHEAD NEEDS. DAVIS-LYNCH CEMENTING EQUIPMENT. SERVING THE FOUR CORNERS SINCE 1970. 2010 San Juan Blvd (505) 327-9255 A - Plus Well Service has been the leading plug and abandonment company in the 4-Corners and Rocky Mtn Region for nearly 25 years. Farmington,3107(505)apluswell.com325-2627BBloomfieldHwyNewMexico Happily supporting San Juan County kids! 4801 N Butler Ave Ste WOODSINS.COMFarmington,12-101NM505-326-1111 thebankforme We are committed to improving the wellbeing of the communities we serve, and proud to support The Children’s Hope Foundation. NM: 505-327-3222 CO: 970-565-8421 Toll Free: thebankforme.com855-547-3222

The 16th Annual G.W. Posey Memorial Golf Tournament was held on September 16th, 2021 at the San Juan Country Club, and Children’s Hope Foundation is grateful to have been chosen as the primary beneficiary of this event.

G.W. Posey was born November 23, 1972 in Durango, Colorado and was raised in Farmington. As an all-around athlete and excellent student, G.W. excelled in track, swimming and football, playing quarterback in high school and for Missouri Southern College. On September 4, 1999 he married Gina Fini. Soon after, they had two daughters, Kella and Kendra. G. W. loved kids and was the best father his daughters could ask for. When Kendra was a few months old, G.W. was diagnosed with melanoma cancer. After fighting for 14 months he lost his battle and died peacefully in his home surrounded by his family on October 5, 2005.

Children’s Hope Foundation is grateful to have remained the primary beneficiary of this event. This year’s do nation of $16,100 will allow us to provide assistance to families coping with the emotional and financial needs of living with and fighting childhood diseases.

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There were other good guys ready to step in and help support the family that G. W. left behind. Josh Payne, Clay Jaqua, Matt Broten, Greg Tucker and other close friends formed “The Coyote Club” and organized the first G.W. Posey Memorial Golf Tournament to raise money for Kella and Kendra, who were then 3 years and 16 months old. The tournament has become an annual tradition with the goal of keeping G.W.’s memory alive, strengthening friendships and helping others. The event has raised over $125,000 for local families and charities over the past 15 years.

Thanks to the Coyote Club and to all who so generously sponsored and participated in this tournament.

THANK YOU! 16TH ANNUAL G.W. POSEY MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT

During the COVID-19 pandemic, NUW kept operating on a limited basis and had responded to the needs of the Navajo Nation in various ways, including:

◊ Distributed over 40,000 individual bottles of hand sanitizer and over 150,000 face masks;

◊ Distributed 40 Sato Tap handwashing units to Navajo individuals and families without potable, running water including hand soap, cleaning supplies, cotton socks, and towels;

◊ Purchased cleaning supplies for “No Spread COVID” Cleaning Kits to distribute to partner organizations in Arizona and New Mexico;

◊ Paid for internet broadband services for 161 K-12, college students and educators from throughout the Navajo Nation thanks to a grant from the United Way Worldwide;

◊ On behalf of First Things First Navajo Region, purchased essential items, such as formula, water, diapers, thermometers, and learning kits, for infants and toddlers;

2021 Edition26 We want to say a huge THANK YOU to Casa Hermosa! They provided a bed to Heaven Nakai over the Christmas Season. 805 W Main St, Farmington, NM 87401 (505) 327-0099 Select Oil Tools LLC Proudly supporting the kids of San Juan County. 1050 Malta Ave, Farmington, NM 87401 (505) 564-3770 Navajo United Way is a 501(c)3 nonprofit established in 1982 by a group of Navajo citizens who saw the need for increased health and social ser vices. Through our grant-making and allocations program, Navajo United Way (NUW) strives to empower and support human care organizations that serve to improve the lives of the Navajo Nation and neighboring communities.

◊ Purchased and distributed 5-gallon ABC fire extinguishers to families and individuals with limited income; With our most recent grant award from the AARP Community Challenge, we plan to purchase and install bus shelters in various Navajo Nation communities. AARP Arizona also assisted with the purchase of 111 fire ex tinguishers, contributing to the Fire Safety Campaign where NUW staff are distributing fire extinguishers and presenting on fire safety to various Navajo chapters in Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico.

DeVante was a trooper before he was born. Due to complications during pregnancy, he and his twin brother DeLante were given a very low chance of survival. Their parents were advised to terminate the pregnancy, but they were determined to see it through and to place the welfare of their twins in God’s hands. They were delivered early by an emergency C-section. DeVante weighed 2 lbs., 10 ounces and DeLante weighed 3 lbs., 2 ounces. DeLante grew and developed, but DeVante has faced and overcome innumerable challenges. He acquired an infection that affected his heart, and, as a result, he suffered a brain bleed. At six months, he required a tracheotomy, and a G-tube for feeding. He has also undergone surgery to repair a hole in a ventricle of his heart. DeVante is now 5 years old. He recently underwent surgery for a severe bowel obstruction. He is able to sit with the support of a sling chair. He is able to see and hear, but does not speak. DeVante and DeLante have a brother who is 13 years old and an 8-year old sister. Their father passed away unexpectedly just before Thanksgiving in 2019.

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