A Word from Jeff

      I always say I am blessed with God's wishes! One of those wishes is giving back to the people and community that helped me so many years ago. 29 years seems like such a long time ago, but every day I think back to Dr. Jaffe's words, "My son, I truly believe you now have an 80% chance of surviving Cancer over the next 10 years." I was only 17, and even then I knew Cancer was not going to take me! In a way he was right, as I am among the first generation to survive Cancer for more than 10 years. My own grandfather, A.D. Melendres, never stood a chance of beating Cancer just 60 years ago, but today millions of survivors now live well over that 10 year mark. Everyday, kids at the UNM Children's Hospital wonder what lies in store for them, just as I once did.

      This is why I started the Jeff Apodaca, Celebration of Life Fund, to help those kids see their potential. It was the time I spent at the Children's Hospital and Cancer Center that has given me the chance to celebrate more than 29 years of living and seeing what my future was all about. Thanks to hundreds of friends and supporters, we have been able to raise more than $1,000,000 and develop the Jeff Apodaca, Celebration of Life Scholarships , Jeff Apodaca Multi–Media Center, and the educational and entertainment programs at the University of New Mexico Children's Hospital. The Jeff Apodaca Multi–Media Center opened September of 2007, which will be located in the Barbara and Bill Richardson Pavilion in the new wing of the UNM Children’s Hospital.

      I thank everyone that has helped us over the years, as without your support we would never have been able to help the children at the UNM Children's Hospital look forward to their future.

God Bless,
Jeff

JA/CofL & UNMCH are 501c(3), all proceeds are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law