It started in 2002, when Trisha Pacholski, VP of Snell Real Estate, alerted me that some children with leukemia in Los Cabos, Mexico 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.
Our involvement with the Los Cabos Children's Foundation began when Tom Walsh contacted us through Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Sioux Falls, SD. He wondered if our family would host a seven-year old boy with leukemia, Carlitos and his mother, Elva. Carlitos lived in Los Cabos, Mexico but would receive treatment at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls and the family would stay with us for a few weeks. We agreed.
It turned out Carlitos was struggling with more than leukemia. He was also battling a severe fungal infection, a common side effect of chemotherapy. It went undetected and untreated, growing out of control until he arrived in Sioux Falls, due to the lack of equipment and specialty physicians in the Los Cabos area.
Even though the Los Cabos area is well developed as far as tourism, shopping and the internet are concerned and has for years been considered a world class vacation destination, it is still very remote medically. Adequate resources and staff to deal with severe pediatric illnesses are not available.
My family was eager to get to know Carlitos and his mother, even though we spoke no Spanish and they spoke no English. During the first ten days he was in the hospital, I was at his mother's side. I knew how sick he was and I could not imagine being in a foreign country, trying to understand another language, knowing my child could die so far from home. Before long, our entire family learned Spanish, and we are still fluent today.
Eventually, Carlitos and his mother were joined by his father and brother. During this time, Jon Madland donated a home in Sioux Falls where Carlos and his family could live. Named "Casa de Carlitos," in honor of Carlos, the home was decorated and furnished through volunteer help and donations. Today, Casa de Carlitos provides lodging for children and their families from Los Cabos receiving medical care in Sioux Falls.
Months passed, and Carlitos was recovering very well from his fungal infection with no sign of leukemia. He needed to be watched closely for the next year, so he could not return to Mexico, but he could attend school.
Unfortunately, in early September Carlos had a relapse. There was nothing more that could be done. Carlitos and his family flew back to Mexico with Tom Walsh on September 6. Through the generosity of a Sioux Falls couple, Paul and Shirley Cink, I was able to go to Mexico. Through the help of Avera McKennan Hospital, Our Lady of Guadalupe, and Dr. Marwan Hanna and nurse, Pat Simmons, Carlitos was not in pain.
Carlitos died on October 6, 2003, at home in his bed. Father Luis Mesa came from South Dakota for his funeral. Carlitos' spirit and depth of understanding of life were very profound for a seven-year old. Although he didn't know it, Carlitos was giving himself to open up the doors for all the children who have followed. He inspired all those he met to reach out and help the children in need in Los Cabos.
