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Annual Report 2009 Volume 17, No. 1"You have cancer..........."

by Johnese Turri, Chair, 2009 Casa Esperanza Board of Directors“You have cancer.” When you

first hear these words your life changes.My husband received these words about22 years ago. Fortunately, we livedhere in Albuquerque where he had histreatments. But for others in outlyingareas who must come to Albuquerquefor treatment, it is a challenge. Havingto leave your family, friends and com-munity is daunting. Casa Esperanza'smission is to provide a caring commu-nity to support and serve families facingcancer, and I believe we are makinggreat strides in helping out of town pa-tients get the services they need.

I recently spoke with Filio Vigilfrom Las Vegas, New Mexico abouthis wife, Dorothy, and her cancer. They

have been at Casa for 7 months whileDorothy receives her chemo treat-ments. She had a fast growing type ofcancer and initially the doctors re-moved a 12.5 pound tumor from herbreast. The first round of chemo wasnot effective against this aggressivecancer, so her doctor had to put her ona different much stronger chemo pro-tocol. She has been hospitalized sixtimes because of complications. WhenDorothy would get out of the hospital orfinish one of her lengthy treatments, Filiowould say he was taking her “home” -home to Casa Esperanza. He told methat it has been so convenient for themto be at Casa - they feel safe, comfort-able and cared for here. Before UNM

Cancer Center moved to theirnew location, they would walkto the treatments when Dor-othy felt well enough. Now, atthe Center's new facility, Filiosays Dorothy enjoys the viewsof the Sandias and the calmingambiance in the new chemosuites.

Filio says that the com-munity surrounding the cancercare here in Albuquerque hasbeen so wonderful, from thedoctors, nurses, and socialworkers at UNM Cancer Hos-

pital to Stephanie Michnovicz at Can-cer Services of New Mexico’s Legal,Insurance & Paperwork Assistance Pro-gram and Diane DeCamera from theAnita Salas Foundation. He feels thatthis “cancer community” has been sohelpful and caring. Staying at CasaEsperanza has been wonderful for themin that they can communicate with otherresidents, have meals together, walkaround the facility, and enjoy their homeaway from home. Filio says the Casaenvironment helps Dorothy and him toremain positive, which is so important.

It is touching stories such asFilio’s that keep all of us committed toCasa’s mission and vision. I am so happyto say that our Patient Navigation Pro-gram has been extremely successful andhelpful to our residents. We are alwaysstriving to find new ways and programsto assist our families.

I have been involved with Casafor many years, and in 2010 I will againproudly serve as President of the Boardof Directors. If you’ve never been in-side this amazing house, I invite all ofyou to come and visit. We have manyopportunities for volunteering and manycommittees we would love for you tojoin. We need YOU and YOUR sup-port. Please call either myself at (505)250-7150 or Eileen Cook at (505) 277-9880. THANK YOU!!

A beautiful bronze duck sculpture and fountain providea calm and quiet place at Casa Esperanza

page 2 Annual Report 2009 page 2

DIRECTOR’S PAGE by Eileen Cook2009 Board of DirectorsOfficers

Johnese Turri, Chair,Retired, VP, Land America/Albuquerque Title

Leo Moya, Vice Chair,Retired, Bursar, University of NM

Anthony R. Masciotra, Jr., Treasurer,ED, SVP Operations & CFO Medical Group

Julie Tierney, CPA, MBA,Master Tax Advisor, H&R Block

T. Zane Reeves,Ph.D, Member at Large,Retired, Regent's Professor,

School of Public Administration, UNM

DirectorsLia Armstrong,

Senior Advisor, Maestas & WardMelanie Cravens,

Owner, Alphagraphics on OsunaRyan Dobbs,

Dee Gee Construction/Surfacing InnovationsGinny Longbotham,

Associate Broker, Keller WilliamsJennifer Lowrie,

Registered Nurse, UNM HospitalJustine Meehan,

Assist VP, Wells Fargo BankBetty L. Shaum,

VP Commercial Real Estate, Compass Bank

Advisory BoardPat Bell,Retired

Lily Curtis,Artist

Stephen Dudoich,Sandia Resort and Casino

Mary Ann Howard,VP, Alliant National Title Insurance Co.

Fred Moore,Retired, USMCSylvain Segal,

Attorney at Law,Segal & Whittaker, LLP

Bob G. Stice,LPCC, Private Practice

Counseling & PsychotherapyMolly O'Rourke Wall

Retired, Nurse

The not so good news is thatalthough New Mexico’s cancer mor-tality rate has declined for the pastthree decades, cancer is still thesecond leading cause of death in ourstate. One out of every five deathsin New Mexico is caused by cancer.Wow. That’s a lot of New Mexicans.Pretty sobering, isn’t it?

The good news is that NewMexico is blessed with many orga-nizations that provide either treat-ment or support services to themore than 6500 of us diagnosed withcancer each year. The brand newbright and shiny jewel, of course, isthe UNM Cancer Center, a NationalCancer Institute Designated Center,which opened its new facility in Au-gust. And with its opening, more andmore families will travel to Albuquer-que for possibly the best treatmentprovided anywhere.

So, what else will families findin Albuquerque to support themthrough this frightening journey tofight this frightening disease in thestate’s biggest city, a city which canbring its own set of frights for theoverwhelmed and uninitiated?

Casa Esperanza is fortunateto have many friends within the com-munity with whom we collaborate tosupport the families who stay withus. Our Patient Navigation Programstaff works with many other agen-cies to find the best solutions andservices for those who need ourhelp. For instance, we work withCancer Services of New Mexico topromote and participate in theirtwice-per-year retreats in Glorieta fornewly diagnosed cancer patientsand their families, as well as withtheir LIPA program to provide help inunraveling health insurance and

other legal problems faced by manyof our families. We work with NMCancer Care Alliance to promoteawareness of clinical trials currentlyavailable to cancer patients. Wework with People Living ThroughCancer (now the Wellness Commu-nity-New Mexico) to promote qualityof life issues and support groups inour families’ home communities, aswell as to support and participate inPLTC’s annual Cancer SurvivorshipConference. We work with the NMDepartment of Health Breast & Cer-vical Cancer Early Detection Pro-gram, the Susan G. Koman Founda-tion and St. Joseph CommunityHealth Breast Cancer ResourceCenter.

These represent just a fewof the member organizations of theAlbuquerque Cancer Coalition(www.nmcca.org/acc) and the NewMexico Cancer Council(www.cancernm.org/cancercouncil)with whom we proudly collaborate inorder to ease the burden of cancer,whether it is financial, physical oremotional. We work with these agen-cies and treatment facilities to pro-vide a supportive and safe homeaway from home - to envelop ourfamilies and protect them as theywork their way toward renewedhealth. We work together to makeAlbuquerque a place of hope and ref-uge, and not the big, frightening cityit can be. This is indeed a remark-able community filled with remark-able people who are here to help.And we welcome you with openarms.

Our Remarkable Community

page 3Summer 2003 Annual Report 2009 page 3

Lawrence Reid was born in 1948 in Springfield,Ohio. He is currently residing in Artesia, New Mexico.Springfield, Ohio is where he lived as a child with hismother’s cousin. His grandmother would visit him fromtime to time noticing that he was not well taken care of. Hewas then brought back to Cincinnati, Ohio where he grewup with his grandmother. Lawrence was held back twicebefore the fifth grade because he had dyslexia which is alearning disorder. Then at age sixteen he moved to Cleve-land, Ohio with his uncle to finish high school.

During college, the dyslexia persisted making hiscourses very difficult. It was not until he was 50 years oldwhen he found out that he had dyslexia. Coincidently, dur-ing an accident is when he discovered an additional diseasethat had also affected him through his school years. Afterpuncturing his leg with barbed wire and noticing that thebleeding would not stop, his wife pressured him into goingto the hospital. Before this incident he would sleep from 8-10hours nightly, plus take 4 hour naps during the day. Lawrencewas taken to the urgent care in Edgewood where numerousblood tests were performed suspecting he was bleeding in-ternally. Due to a very low blood count, he was told to get tothe UNM emergency center immediately. He had some testsperformed there and two days later was diagnosed with Mul-tiple Myeloma. The doctor asked, “Do you know what it is?”Lawrence replied, “Yes, skin cancer.” The doctor laughedand said, “NO, we're talking about Myeloma not Melenoma.”The doctor then told him that this type of cancer is treatablebut not curable.

Always being truthful with his wife, he realized hewas in trouble. He didn’t know how to tell her the shockingnews. His son, Nastromus, was ten at the time whenLawrence told him he had cancer, Nastromus brought tearsto Lawrence’s eyes asking his daddy, “Are you going to die?”Lawrence replied, “We are all going to die one day.” Andthen Nastromus said, “Daddy, I want to die before you.” Pam,

his wife, is 100% supportivekeeping up with appoint-ments and making sure hetakes his medications whenhe is supposed to. This alsoincludes standing by his sideand encouraging him to staystrong.

Lawrence first dis-covered Casa Esperanza inJune of 2008, after goingthrough a stem cell trans-plant. When they beganstaying at Casa they werevery private people notwanting to share their storywith anyone. All they

wanted was a place to stay. When they first came to Casathey realized it was a nice community compared to the placewhere they were initially going to stay.

When someone is diagnosed with a terminal illness,one might feel like keeping your worries and feelings bottledup inside when actually it might be more helpful to be openand share your feelings with others. You start realizing thatthere are others to think about. Lawrence realized he wassuffering mentally and physically and that is when he startedopening up to his son and wife and he began speaking outrather than holding everything in. At first, he was not certainhow to handle these new relationships and accept them send-ing a card, just saying hello or asking how he was doing.Eventually it became a little easier. Even though Lawrenceand Pam are very private they realize that Casa families justwant to open up and communicate. This is the essence ofCasa Esperanza.

"Casa Esperanza is a cancer house of hope to those who have been afflicted with cancer. Casa Esperanza is a very informal setting that encompassesmany other human qualities that become a daily fiber that weaves a blanket of security. I have never been a person who talks about my feelings, familyor where I actually live, in five years, at my present address, I have never had one single visitor, because my wife and I are ultra private in our familyaffairs. When I came to Casa I felt the draw from some of the residents to share my story of my battle with cancer, so they in turn can share their storywith me. I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in 2007. My wife and I have spent two to three months at Casa Esperanza and I have come to ashocking realization. Casa Esperanza is the embryonic seed of another type of hope. My wife and I experience discrimination on a daily basis in ournormal every day life. She is Anglo and I am a 61 year old Black man. Even though I have experienced numerous incidents of racism in the years of mylife, I try to ignore any incident and keep a realistic and positive attitude. The shocking realization I came to is that the staff at Casa Esperanza is on theforefront of racial equality. I don’t want to give the impression that my wife and I don’t have some problem of discrimination at Casa, but there has neverever been any form of racism among the staff of Casa Esperanza. They have always treated us with the most respect. I’ve seen the staff of CasaEsperanza in many situations that would have given me heartburn and anxiety. In all cases they have handled the daily routine with intelligence, fairness,and firmness. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all and everyone involved with Casa Esperanza for a job well done. Casa Esperanza istruly a blessing for all of us cancer patients and families who come through the portals of hope. Once again thank you from the Reid Family."

Lawrence & wife Pam Reid

Please read the letter from the Reid Family inserted below.

Another Type of HOPEby Crystal Bojorquez; Guest Services Team

Summer 2003 page 4 Annual Report 2009 page 4

Casa Esperanza, Inc.Major Contributors

July 1, 2008 - June 30, 2009

PILLARS-$500Steve and Lori AguilarMaryle J. BarberPatricia BellRoger and Jane CookEileen Casey CookRyan DobbsJerry and Joyce ForopoulosMary Ann HowardAlice IrvinTom and Bev LawsTrevor LewisRobert LoftfieldLinda LunaClaudia McConnellCathy MooreMountain States Insurance GroupEligio and Kathleen PadillaZona PeaseT. Zane ReevesArt SchwartzBill ScottBetty ShaumAnita Smith-NovakJulie TierneyUnited Church of Los Alamos

CORNERSTONE-$1,000Aztec Abstract & Title InsuranceBank of AlbuquerqueDel Norte Baptist ChurchDuke City CivitanGina and Macy FitsEmonsFraternal Order of the EaglesLisa Gonzales and James BloomGorman IndustriesGS Trps–Eisenhower Housing UnitRuss and Glenda HarrisonHarrison Schmitt Elementary Sch.Kathleen Phillips HellmanJohn and Trudy HendersonLANL FoundationRichard and Mary LoydMacy’s Towing LLPJulie and Jim MarchHoward and Sue McCallPepsi Bottling GroupKenneth Ray / Raysteel Inc.Michael and Joyce SkolnickStar Paving CompanyBob and Phyllis SticeNorma ThornbroughTrinity on the Hill EpiscopalChurchUNM Health Sciences CenterUNM Interns and ResidentsVillage Inn on Menaul, ABQWal-Mart Supercenter Coors, ABQMichelle Watts

GUARDIANS-$2,500Vernon and Vicki BiceCardinal HealthKeller Williams RealtyBrian and Lisa SternbergThe Crebilly FoundationEstate of Myrtle Elzora NaomiVolgamoreKeith and Deborah Wilson

KEYSTONE-$5000Albert I. Pierce FoundationEmbassy Suites AlbuquerqueHancock Family FoundationJohn and Laura HighfillMasonic Charity Foundation NMMicrosoft NMSandia FoundationTurri ProductionsO.D. Waters

FOUNDERS $10,000Bank of America CorporationClear Channel OutdoorCon Alma Health FoundationFrost FoundationUnited Way of Central NMWal-Mart

LIFETIME $30,000+American Home FurnishingsKen and Harriet BullCar Program LLCCitadel Broadcasting Co.Clear Channel OutdoorClovis Board of RealtorsComcastCon Alma Health FoundationCYMRIC IEP Inc.Paul and Sue DaultonDefense Avionics SystemsHoneywellFrost FoundationKNML – 610 RadioKWBQ TV Channel 19Lamar Outdoor AdvertisingMasonic Charity Fdn of NMMike Moore Memorial Golf ClassicNCA, AIAArthur PalmerPNMRed Rock FoundationT. Zane ReevesRotary Club-Albuquerque Del NorteSandia Corporation FoundationSolo Cup FoundationLloyd and Virginia StorrTempur-PedicMichael and Johnese TurriUNM Cancer CenterUNM Facilities PlanningZia Laundry, Inc.

Recognizing Our Major Contributors for July 2008 to June 2009Casa Esperanza Endowment

Foundation Contributors July 1, 2008 - June 30, 2009

$500 & ABOVE CASH &IN-KIND DONATIONS

Steve and Lori AguilarAlbuquerque Lighting CompanyAlphagraphics on OsunaLyman AtchleyMaryle J. BarberDuane and Flo BargarEstate of Carol BasharaBBVA Compass BankPatricia BellConnie BlakeMonica BojorquezMelanie BurnsDeHaven Solimon ChaffinsCitadel Broadcasting CompanyClovis Board of RealtorsComcastCatherine ConranEileen Casey CookMike and Victoria CopelandSue DaultonRoger DiCamilloRyan DobbsStephen and Pam DudoichCarol EstesExplorAbilities, Inc.Eye Associates of NMGina and Macy FitsEmonsJeff ForehandMike GallegosLisa Gonzales and James BloomP. J. HartmanKathleen Phillips HellmanJohn and Trudy HendersonPatricia HollandKenneth HuntAlice IrvinKtech CorporationLamar Outdoor AdvertisingLandAmerica Albuquerque TitleVernon and Betty LeakeSamuel LeeGinny and Richard LongbothamPete and Theresa LovatoLovelace Health PlanRichard and Mary LoydMacy’s Towing LLPGlenn and Judy MagelssenRon Martinez Looking ElkAnthony R. Masciotra, Jr.Victoria MauldinMichelle “Mike” Moore MemorialGolf ClassicVivace / Cast Iron CaféFred and Edie MooreWilliam and Gloria MortonLeo MoyaLori MusilB. C. NowlinDon and Susan Petersen

Bob PhillipsPNM Resources FoundationJody and David PrellT. Zane ReevesJohn L. Roberts, IIRocky Mountain Gold & Silver Ex.Arthur and Ginny RomeroBethe and Jason SailerRick and Pamela SalmonDee SanchezHugo and Jackie SanchezPaul SanchezJohn SaundersCarolyn SedberryTracy and Bob SedberryAudrey Casey SimmonsPenny SimpsonRon and Jolene SmithBob and Phyllis SticeNeel and Kay StorrHerman, Nellie, Calvin, Shane, Adam and Phillip SuinaSunwest TrustT & R Market, Inc.Julie TierneyRosanna and Michael TorrezTurney’s Inc.Chris and Jan TurriMichael and Johnese TurriTurri ConsultingTurri ElectricUnivision Radio NMUnpainted FurnitureValencia County News-BulletinRoss and Jean VanDusenWal-Mart Super Center #1414(Belen)Michelle WattsWells FargoWestern RefiningTerry and Sheila White

Vehicle DonationsWe would like to recognize all thosewho have donated vehicles to CasaEsperanza. The funds generated fromthe sale of the donations are invalu-able to the support of our house.

Thank you to all of ourgenerouse donors. Because oflimited space, we are simply notable to list everyone who sup-ports Casa Esperanza or theCasa Esperanza EndowmentFoundation. Please know thatyour gift is the key to our suc-cess.

Summer 2003 page 5Annual Report 2009 page 5

MemorialsJosephine A. AlvinoRichard AndersonRodolfo G. ApodacaAlice Hernandez ArroyoSammy AvitiaCarol BasharaCharlotte Miller BloomDianna BonaniMrs. Dorothy Y. BorenRichard BranchStephanie BreedingWilliam BurksQuinton ColeCarl ComyfordPaul DaultonHelen FisherBenny FloresRobert A. FondryTeodora V. GarciaBenjamin S. GardinerAnn GlassmanNellie GomezFloyd A. GoodgionMiguel GritaJerry HattoxHelen A. HeljesonBob HellmanRep. Manuel HerreraMark HessPat HobbyMartin Luther King, Jr.Josh KirschmanGeraldene LindleyJuan R. LopezManuelita and Anastacio LujanDanielle MarquezBob MoerkeMichelle “Mike” MooreOrville Moore

Memorials & HonorariumsJuly 1, 2008 -June 30, 2009

Vanessa NielsonGeorgia OrtizGaye ReevesElmo RhotonCharles A. RogersCarol SchwartzAbby Scott RobertsYetta Boulware SeaneyRoy B. SpencerMichael SwiftTad VanDerWeeleLuz Elena VelezRosa Maria VillagranMyrtle Elzora Naomi VolgamoreGladys WenzelWilliam F. WiemanHugh and Helen Woodward

HonorariumsAll Patients and FamiliesAll Who Use This FacilityLawrence Antonio, Sr.Pat BellTerry and Kenneth BenningtonBen BrownLydia ChavezClovis Board of RealtorsHelena EbellBob and BettyEikleberryMargaret FoulkJerry GallegosMark AnthonyGarciaNathaniel GarciaPhillip and EvelynGloverAli Green

Winston and Dixie HerveyGypsy JacklinMolly JohnsonJudy and BoAndrew KieMichelle LiraBetty LynchRebecca MoranDorothy and Chris MortonBetty Jo NyeJennifer PeaseBob and Wanda PoeKay RobertsLaura RomeroKaren, Ralph and Julie StockTonyMatthew TrujilloAloisia ValentiEsperanza ValerioTerry and Mary Walker

Annual Report 2009 page 6

It’s been another successful and fun year forCasa’s Vehicle Donation Program, and Septembermarked our one year anniversary for our public auctions.Over the year we held seven auctions, registered over sixhundred bidders and sold over two thousand donatedvehicles to help support our mission at Casa Esperanza.

Every auction was different and exciting to attend.Through the cold winter and hot summer our team did awonderful job. Everyone involved is committed to thesuccess of our auctions and plays an integral part inmaking our team successful. It has been a great learningexperience and lots of fun to run the auction. The auctionis a fast paced work environment that keeps us all on ourtoes. Over the past year we have really learned to perfectthe auction process from registration to processing the finalpaperwork.

Working in the auction office has been an excitingexperience. We get to meet interesting people everyauction. I would like to recognize the people who makethis possible, without even one of them, things would notrun smoothly. The front desk clerks, Monica Bojorquez,Angelica Medina and Crystal Bojorquez work greattogether to get bidders registered, collect payments andsign title paperwork. Our title box person, Mary Loyd,organizes all our bidder registrations and titles. GinaFitsEmons processes our credit card payers and sellstemp tags. Maryle J. Barber runs our concession standwith Natalie Bojorquez. Last but not least, I verify anddeposit all the cash for the day’s sales.

Macy FitsEmons, ourauctioneer, runs the outsidecrew. We have Jose Aguilaron the speaker, MiguelAguilar is our cone guy, andAndres (Penny) Aguilar iscrowd control and security. Carmine Valenti, our oldestcrew member at 81, works the gate. We have had twoboard members as the auctioneer's clerks, Lia Armstrongand Justine Meehan. Both said they thought working theauction was a lot of fun. Board and Advisory Boardmembers, Leo Moya, Ryan Dobbs, Julie Tierney andMolly O'Rourke Wall have also shared their time at theauctions.

Our auctions have really evolved far more than weever could have imagined. We are expanding our servicesand now offer temporary tags and will begin handling tiresales as well.

Visit our “Give Hope a Ride” website anytime tofind out about auction dates and see vehicles we areselling. Go to www.givehopearide.org to find currentinformation and donate your vehicle today!

If you have a vehicle you are considering donating,do it now before the end of the year to get your taxdeduction for your 2009 taxes!

We are very thankful for all our wonderful vehicledonors. Every donation makes a difference.

**Next Auction, Novem-ber 14. Watch our websitewww.givehopearide.org forinformation.**

“GIVE HOPE A RIDE” AUCTIONS FROM THE INSIDE OUTby Jessica Clauson, Vehicle Donation Program Bookkeeper

Gina FitsEmons, Crystal Bojorquez, Monica Bojorquez, Mary Loyd & Angelica Medinaare ready to take your cash for your winning bid at our bimonthly public auction.

Summer 2003 page 6 Annual Report 2009 page 7

Since 2006, the Casa Esperanza Nina Bean PatientNavigation & Survivor Services Program (PNP) has servedhundreds of patients and families from New Mexico by help-ing them overcome barriers to cancer care, connecting themto resources and information, and providing emotional sup-port. By doing so, we help to reduce the cancer burden forour families and contribute to more positive outcomes forthose affected by cancer including reduced mortality ratesand a higher quality of life.

In our efforts to establish our PNP in the commu-nity, we have developed vital partnerships with not only can-cer patients and families but also with medical providers andother cancer support agencies. Casa Navigators arepartnering with the Comadre A Comadre Program, BreastCancer Resource Center, Lovelace Women’s HospitalBreast Care Navigator, and the UNM Cancer Center’sPatient and Family Support Services Department in a newcancer collaborative that will facilitate the enhancement ofcancer support services and resources and reduce cancerhealth disparities in New Mexico. The PNP at CasaEsperanza is also planning outreach efforts across the statein conjunction with Casa’s Guest Services Program, whichwill begin with Farmington and Las Cruces and their sur-rounding areas.

Another change to our program is our newly hiredPatient Navigator, Stephanie Mora, who came from the UNMChildren’s Hospital Child Life Program. She has a Bach-elors degree in Psychology from the University of New

Onward and Upward Navigating New Pathsby Stacie Soto, PNP Director

Mexico and a Masters degree in Business Administrationfrom the University of Phoenix and also has extensive expe-rience working in the Bernalillo County Juvenile Justice Cen-ter and Department of Corrections. Stephanie is excited tobe a part of the non-profit community and is looking for-ward to working in a social services role that will also allowher to utilize her administrative skills and knowledge.Stephanie’s experience, insight and skills will be useful in ourendeavors to explore income-producing activities that willmake the Patient Navigation Program sustainable in the fu-ture, and she will help our program soar to new heights.Welcome to the Casa Esperanza family, Stephanie!!

Stephanie Mora, Patient Navigator

The Charity Volleyball Tournament to benefit the NinaBean Memorial Patient Navigation & Survivor ServicesProgram was held on September 27 at Charlie's Sand-box raising a total of $1,500. Team Premier took firstplace in 6's. PowerhouseDustin Usher showed offhis spiking ability, eventhough his team came in2nd in 4's. It was a greatday to come play in thesand no matter whatage.

The Nina Bean Patient Navigator Program is funded in part by a grant from the Albert I. Pierce Foundation.

Annual Report 2009 page 8

We all are taught at least a les-son or two in genetics at some pointduring our schooling. For MandyAltamirano, that lesson we have sinceforgotten, is her life. Growing up healthyas a child, genetics wasn’t really some-thing she thought about when she gradu-ated from Silver City High School backin 1997. It wasn’t until 10 years aftergraduation that she was faced with whatgenetics meant for her and her family.

After finishing school, Mandyworked as a Certified Nursing Assistantat Fort Bayard Medical Center in FortBayard, NM. She was busy workingand raising her daughter when she firstbegan to experience symptoms that con-cerned her. The initial symptoms sheexperienced were headaches. After theheadaches became suddenly more in-tense, she sought medical treatment inSilver City. Her first CT scan showeda lesion in her brain so she was trans-ferred to El Paso for further diagnos-tics. There she was given another CTscan as well as an MRI and told thatshe likely had brain cancer and wouldneed to go to Albuquerque for treatment.

I don’t think any of us can imag-ine what Mandy thought about duringthe four hour drive from El Paso to Al-buquerque after hearing that she likelyhad brain cancer. I’m sure her thoughtsincluded her daughter who is first andforemost in her life. As with many lifechanging events, the experience of hear-ing a cancer diagnosis is something thatwe really can’t fully understand until weare faced with it ourselves. I have heardmany cancer survivors say that theyknew relatives or friends who had gonethrough cancer but still never thought itcould happen to them or realize just howmuch of your life it changes. At 28years old, I’m sure Mandy didn’t expectthat cancer would happen to her.

After additional diagnostics, itwas discovered that Mandy has VonHippa Lindau Syndrome, a rare geneticdisorder that puts her at increased riskfor cancer. She shared that both herdaughter and mother have this samegenetic disorder but that theirs is a milderversion affecting only one of two genes.Mandy's version that affects two genesis so rare that she is the only knowncase. As she put it, she should havenever been born with both genes af-fected. The fact that she was born andsurvived to adulthood without any effectsuntil age 28 is a miracle.

Knowing Mandy personally, Ibelieve she is a miracle in other ways aswell. After going through surgeries toremove operable tumors and once amonth treatments, Mandy was told thather treatments would be increased toonce a week and that she would need tomove to Albuquerque. The doctorswanted to ensure that the kidney tumorsshe had were treated more aggressivelyas they are in her words the deadliest ofher tumors. Despite the daunting taskat hand, Mandy did not hesitate. Shestopped by the Patient Navigation officeto let us know of the changes in hertreatment plan and to ask for housingreferrals. Through the Patient Naviga-tion Program we were able to help herfind affordable housing and secure fund-ing for moving expenses as well as thefirst few months of rent at her apart-ment. Amanda was gracious for whatwe helped with, but it really seems sosmall relative to her having to uproot herfamily and move to an unfamiliar place.In preparing to write this article, I askedAmanda what has been most helpful ingoing through her cancer journey andshe said "Casa Esperanza." I then askedwhat the most difficult part of her diag-nosis has been and she said, “Having torelocate and start a whole new life.” I

would have never guessed this havingworked with her throughout her moveas she always had a smile through it all.As stressors arose during the process,she always managed to laugh throughthem and keep her sense of humor. Withas much as she was going through,THAT is a miracle.

I had the privilege of accompa-nying Mandy and her daughter as theyshopped for supplies for their new apart-ment. Watching how they interact witheach other, respect each other and relyon each other truly shows how impor-tant they are to each other. Mandy rec-ognizes the importance of family. WhenI asked what advice she would give toothers just beginning their cancer jour-ney, she said “Take it day by day, havefaith, and it’s good to have the supportof your family”. Wise words fromsomeone so young facing health chal-lenges that most 30 year olds wouldnever consider could happen to them.Let Mandy’s story be our reminder thatcancer does happen even though it’snever expected and to keep the supportof family and friends close during ourown journeys within the miracle of life.

A Miracle . . . . .Patient Navigation ProgramBy Cathy Moore, Patient Navigator

Mandy Altamirano

Annual Report 2009 page 9

Tilly Shaw was the driving force be-hind another successful Clovis Boardof Relators Golf Tournament. Regis-tration is always the most importantstop before hitting the links.

Ca s a E s p e ra n z a : A r o u n d t h e L a n d o f E n c h a n t m e n t

Thank you to Comcast-Southwest Area for their gen-erous donation of $2,640 presented recently to An-gelica Medina, our Community Relations Director.Standing with Angelica from left to right are, JaneHougnon, Eilene Vaughn-Pickrell and AmandaWiley.

Congratulations to Kathy Morris from Oak Park UnitedMethodist Church in Bartlesville, OK.. for winning thestained glass windows created and donated by KathleenHellman. Karen and her husband Juan Distefano madethe trip to Casa Esperanza to make future plans for theOklahoma Volunteers in Mission Teams for 2010 and topick up the windows for Kathy.

Artists of New Mexico hosted a wonderful tentat this year's International Balloon Fiesta andCasa Esperanza was the recipient of raffle mon-ies. What a great combination of Art and Bal-loons. (artistsofnm.com)

Stacie Soto shows new Patient NavigatorStephanie Mora how much fun a golf tournamentcan really be at the Keller Williams Annual GolfTournament.

Annual Report 2009 page 10

Hello, my name is Glenna Armenta. On September 19th

this year, I was ten years cancer free!!! Ten years ago Ifound a lump in my left breast. When I got up thecourage to go to the doctor, he sent me to a surgeon whodid a needle biopsy. Just a few short days later wefound out that I had a tumor about 7 centimeters indiameter. My oncologist and I decided to try to shrinkmy tumor with chemotherapy, but after six months ofchemo, my tumor didn't shrink, so I had a mastectomy.Now ten years (!!!) later, I am going strong and having ablast!!

Casa Esperanza is very close to my heart. I work forCardinal Health, and every Christmas we gather togetherat Casa and decorate the house for the Holidays! All ofmy co-workers are amazing - all I have to do is send outan email letting them know the date we are decorating,and they all sign up! I think that people really enjoydecorating Casa because they can bring their childrenwith them, and I know in some cases it has actuallybecome a family tradition. Giving back to our communityis a wonderful thing, and we at Cardinal take that toheart. Casa helps so many people by giving them peace ofmind while they have so many other things to worryabout. Some years we have had the opportunity to havesome of the younger residents at Casa help us, and it is

Hope Starts With Meby Glenna Armenta

so much fun todecorate along sidethem! Volunteeringat Casa makes mefeel so good inside,knowing that webring a little bit ofholiday spirit to thehouse and to theresidents stayingthere. It just makesme smile to knowthat, after havingbeen through cancermyself, I can helpothers who aredealing with this ugly disease. Two years ago I wasasked to join the planning committee for Casa's HopeChest Auction, and what a great experience this hasbeen. First of all, I have been able to work with some ofthe nicest people, but secondly, helping with the HopeChest Auction Event has brought it home to me just howamazing Casa is and how many people they help. Overall,I volunteer at Casa for selfish reasons; it makes me feelso good to help an organization as valuable to our commu-nity as Casa is!!

S A V E T H E D A T E

Annual Report 2009 page 11

Volunteers provided 3,539 hours from 7/1/08 – 6/30/09 (up from 1,922 last year!). Board and Board of Advisors membersprovided 289 hours (up from 234 last year).

CASA ESPERANZA, INC.Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2009RevenuesGrants 75,000NM Dept of Health 115,000Program Income 237,573Contributions & Support 197,431Foundation Support 208,476Event Income 13,214Interest income 1,287Other Income 3,868In-Kind Income 48,126Total Support and Revenue $899,975

ExpensesProgram 576,723General & Administrative 159,126Fundraising 10,169Total Expenses before Depr 746,018Change in Net Assets before Depr $153,957

Depreciation Expense 73,689Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets $80,268

ENDOWMENT FOUNDATIONFiscal Year Ending June 30, 2009

RevenuesCar Donation Program 446,951Event Income 77,962Contributions & Support 15,555Investment Return -275,381In-Kind Income 85,230Total Revenue $350,317

ExpensesProgram 208,476General & Administrative 105,926Fundraising 517,857Depreciation Expense 1,073Total Expenses $833,332Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets -$483,015

Casa Esperanza EndowmentFoundation Assets

June 30, 2009 FMVMoney Market Accounts 37,203Equity Securities 1,109,541 Total Investments $1,146,744Average Return on Investments = (21)%

Copies of the full 2009 audit for Casa Esperanza, Inc. and the consolidated audit for Casa Esperanza, Inc. and CasaEsperanza Endowment Foundation are available from the organization office (see page 12 for contact information).

RevenuesGrants

8%

NM Dept of Health13%

Program Income27%

Contributions & Support

22%

Other Income0%

In-Kind Income

5%

Interest income

0%Event Income1%

Foundation Support

24% Expenses

Program78%

Fundraising1%

General & Admin21%

CASA ESPERANZA, INC.Post Office Box 40472Albuquerque, NM 87196-0472

Return Service Requested

NON-PROFITORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDALBUQUERQUE, NM

PERMIT #599

Annual Report 2009 page 12 Our Mission

Casa Esperanza - New Mexico's home away from home providing a caringcommunity to support and serve families facing cancer.

“NEWS from Casa Esperanza” is published two times a year byCasa Esperanza, Inc. in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Casa Esperanza (Tax ID #: 85-0356946) is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation.All contributions are tax deductible. Casa Esperanza does not telemarket, participate indoor-to-door solicitation or campaign via chain letters or e-mail appeals.Casa Esperanza receives a portion of its funding from a contract with the New MexicoDepartment of Health. Casa Esperanza is a member of the NM Cancer Council which createand implements the Comprehensive Cancer Plan.Casa Esperanza is a Combined Federal Campaign designated charity. Our CFC # is 60462.Member: National Association of Hospital Hospitality Houses. To learn more about NAHHHand other special places such as Casa Esperanza go to www.nahhh.org.Member: Albuquerque Cancer Coalition, an alliance of cancer support agencies, hospitaltreatment centers and governmental agencies to inform, to educate and to advocate on behalfof NM cancer patients and their families. Their website is www.nmcca.org/acc.Affiliate: NM Cancer Care Alliance, providing NM cancer patients with local access to latestexperimental treatments available. Their website is www.nmcca.org.Member: Chambers of Commerce in Albuquerque, Belen, Clovis, Alamogordo, Los LunasAlbuquerque Hispano and the American Indian Chamber.Member: Albuquerque Better Business Bureau.

Reach us at:CASA ESPERANZA

PO BOX 40472ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87196-0472

1005 YALE NEALBUQUERQUE, NM 87106

505-277-9880 Fax: 505-277-9876e-mail: info@casaesperanzanm.org

www.casaesperanzanm.org

~If you receive more than one newsletter, please share it with someonewho will find it interesting and useful.~

Casa Esperanza has a terrific website maintained by Shelly Liebman. Be sure to check it out for themost current and up to date pictures and information on past and upcoming events, how to donate on-line (secure site) and how to become involved at CE. Our website is: www.casaesperanzanm.org

C a s a E s p e r a n z a S t a f fEileen Cook CEOMaryle J. Barber Development DirectorCrystal Bojorquez Guest Services TeamJessica Clauson BookkeeperGina FitsEmons Administrative DirectorMike Gallegos Facilities ManagerAnita Harrison Administrative AssistantMary Loyd Finance DirectorAngelica Medina Gst Serv & Comm Rel DirCathy Moore PNP Asst. DirectorStephanie Mora PNPStacie Soto Patient Navigation Dir.Sarah Trujillo Guest Services TeamPatricia Virgen Guest Services Team Mgr