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 For Miguel Aldrete and Rosalynda Gianonne, it was an eye-opening experience to visit a hospital not more than 20 minutes south of San Diego and see children with cancer suffering in facilities not properly equipped to treat them.
At Tijuana General Hospital the two San Diego business owners observed a facility where children were dying because of a lack of medication and proper medical equipment. As a hospital that serves Tijuana’s uninsured population, Tijuana General Hospital operates amid the combined realities of a great demand for services and extremely limited resources. The pediatric unit in particular was struggling to treat children with cancer in spaces not adequate for such treatment. The visit inspired Miguel and Rosalynda to mobilize to help the hospital. The duo created the Legacy 4 Life Fund with the goal of providing financial support to make a difference in the lives of terminally ill patients. They decided to pursue this mission with the assistance of the International Community Foundation for a variety of reasons including the Foundation’s ability to provide a high-level of support, assistance with due diligence internationally and assurance that the funds would be used properly. In early 2008, grants from Legacy 4 Life were instrumental in the inauguration of a new state-of-the-art children’s cancer ward on the sixth floor of the Tijuana General Hospital. Cognizant of the fact that cancer is not confined by geography, Legacy 4 Life has also partnered with “Making Memories” in the United States, to raise money and help grant a last wish to stage 4 breast cancer patients in this country. “This illness has no borders. We are happy to receive unselfish donations of time and money from people on both sides of the USA/Mexico border and the Foundation has played an instrumental part in making this happen,” said Miguel. It’s amazing and empowering to see that we can make an impact” added Rosalynda. “It’s fueling our passion to continue.” |