Our Story
It started in 2002, when Trisha Pacholski, VP of Snell Real Estate, alerted me that
some children with leukemia in Los Cabos needed help. The Make-A-Wish Foundation
has been close to my heart for many years, and I attempt to do what I can for children
who are suffering from devastating illnesses.
The first challenge was to see if we could treat the children if we could get them
to South Dakota. Dr. Marwan Hanna, one of the area's leading pediatric oncologists,
is a close friend. We asked if he would treat them, and he said, "absolutely, just
get them up here!"
Getting visas for the Mexican children and their families proved extremely difficult
and time consuming. In fact, the first three children we planned to treat passed
away while waiting for their visas. As a result, we worked with the U.S. Consulate
in Cabo and in Tijuana as well as the INS in Tijuana to establish a system to make
the process faster and more simple for the sick children and their families. Mike
Houston, U.S. Consular Agent, has been a tremendous support in helping us get visas
for them.
Monte Ford, a good friend and executive with American Airlines, also enjoys time
in Cabo. We talked to Monte, and as a result, American Airlines has provided airline
transportation for all of the children and families we have helped.
Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center in Sioux Falls generously agreed
to treat the children. President and CEO Fred Slunecka embraced the concept as being
consistent with the mission of Avera McKennan and the Avera network.
Through the genuine caring and exceptional generosity of our partners and supporting
organizations, children's lives have been saved and improved. And the partnerships
and relationships that have sprung up because of this project are truly remarkable.
Our deepest appreciation goes out to everyone who has worked with the Los Cabos
Children's Foundation. If you haven't yet become involved in the Foundation, I'd
like to personally invite you to learn more about us and become part of our family.
It will be one of the most worthwhile and profoundly rewarding things you may ever
do.
Sincerely,
Thomas P. Walsh, Sr.
Read the story about Carlitos, the first child helped by LCCF
here»