Annual Report 2014
I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to serve Casa Esperanza as a volunteer and Board member for over 6 years now. I can’t be more proud of the staff and volunteers – they are so compassionate, dedicated, smart and hard-working and the results show in the wonderfully calm facility – all focused on providing a haven for cancer patients and their families. After a careful interview process, the Board recently hired Chrisann Gray as our new Executive Director, replacing Eileen Cook who retired after an incredible 22 years at the helm. Between Chrisann and our experienced and recently hired staff members, the team’s efficiency and effectiveness will carry us into the future as a strong and stable organization – focused completely on our residents’ comfort and wellbeing. We have begun a process of redecorating the facility so the rooms, kitchen and dining areas are even more welcoming and comfortable for our cancer families. I invite you to come and see what’s changing – just call the front desk at 246-2700 for a tour. Thanks to all our supporters who help make Casa Esperanza possible!
Julie Tierney, Board President
Patty Virgen - Family Care Team Supervisor Yuliana Granillo - Family Care Team Alexandra Martinez - Family Care Team Latifha Clough - Family Care Team
The Casa Esperanza team acknowledges our gratitude to the many individuals who have blended their unique talents over the last 22 years, to build a strong foundation of HOPE and create a “Home away from Home” for the more than 35,000 families facing cancer and other serious medical illnesses.
achievement. You are here to enrich the world.”
As the seasons change here at Casa Esperanza, I introduce myself as the new Executive Director. I have been a part of the Casa Esperanza team for four years. These are the values that light the path in my life; love, enthusiasm, honesty, compassion, laughter, family, gratitude and making a difference in the world. It is a privilege for me to share these qualities, every day, with the staff and residents at Casa Esperanza.
Board of Directors
As Casa Esperanza continues to thrive and evolve, we are given a daily opportunity to release the old, transform the new and to find better ways to support and enrich the lives of each family. With excellence we strive to be the best hospitality house in New Mexico. Woodrow Wilson reminded us many years ago, “You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and
Casa Esperanza Staff
Chrisann Gray - Executive Director Cristy Holden - Director of Outreach and Fund Development Desiree McBrayer - Finance Director Mary Loyd - Bookkeeper Katie Cameron - Executive Assistant
These questions are worthy of consideration: “Why are you here?” and “Whom do you serve?” Please consider how you can share your unique talents and gifts with Casa Esperanza and our families. Many thanks for making a difference,
Chrisann Gray, Executive Director
Officers
Julie Tierney - President Lia Armstrong - Past President Katrina Tracy - Vice President Ryan Dobbs - Treasurer Vicki Woody - Secretary Trevor Lewis - Member at Large
Board Members
Anita Kinney Bradley Mucek Dara Ambriz Derek Roland Dr. Richard Castillo
Advisory Board
Anthony Masciotra, Jr. B. Lee Black Cheryl Gaedke Ginny Longbotham Rae Ann Paden Mike Gallegos - Facilities Maintenance Coordinator Claudia Gilpin - Give Hope a Ride Administrative Assistant Jesus Coronado-Gonzalez - Give Hope a Ride Lot Coordinator Emily Gomez - Give Hope a Ride Auction Staff
in the Spring of 2013 and returned to her life and home in Las Cruces cancer free. She continues to have check-ups every four months and she is optimistic about her health. Haydee said she was ready to come back home to life as usual, but she had mixed feelings about leaving Casa Esperanza and the friends she had made there. She said, “It was hard to leave because I was going to miss my new family.”
Haydee in March 2013
Feeling better in October 2014
Las Cruces Girl Winning the Battle Against Cancer Haydee Zaragoza spent almost a year as a resident at Casa Esperanza as she was receiving weekly specialized treatment for her cancer at the University of New Mexico Pediatric Hospital. Haydee is a bright girl from Las Cruces, who before being diagnosed with cancer at the age of 19, was living a normal teenage life. Haydee had just completed her first year of college classes when she was diagnosed with Burkitt’s Lymphoma in the summer of 2012. Haydee went to her doctor for a lump in the side of her throat. She recalls, “It didn’t hurt, but there was definitely something wrong.” After a few weeks, Haydee started to experience other symptoms such as bruising easily, back pain, and eventually a fever that lasted for weeks. Haydee’s first ever visit to the emergency room resulted in her being diagnosed with cancer. Instead of enrolling for her second year of school that
fall, Haydee had to immediately leave her home and family and travel to Albuquerque to face the reality of starting chemotherapy. Haydee said it was hard to leave her family behind to come to Albuquerque to receive her treatment. She said, “We have a big family and we are always around each other.” However, with four younger siblings it was impossible for everyone to come along. Haydee’s family had to make a tough decision and sacrifice being together in order for Haydee to get better. She said even though it was just her and her Mom, Casa Esperanza still felt like home to them. Staying at Casa Esperanza they found other families facing the same challenges. Haydee said, “we had support and encouragement from the staff and other patients in the house. They were the backbone for my Mom and me when I was going through treatment.” Haydee finished her treatment
Since she beat cancer, Haydee has a new outlook on life. She said, “I try to enjoy every moment and take advantage of every little thing.” She said after being apart from her family for so long during her treatment, she tries to appreciate every moment she has with them. Haydee is currently enrolled as a Junior at New Mexico State University and she hopes to complete her degree in Mechanical Engineering soon. Haydee’s daily motto now is, “Enjoy life and stay healthy.”
“We had support and encouragement from the staff and other patients in the house. They were the backbone for my Mom and me when I was going through treatment.”
“We literally came with nothing but what was in my purse and the clothes on our backs.” Zachary Tracey’s mom, Lucita, knew her son was ill, but it was more than stomach flu. Within an hour she and her son were flown from the emergency room in Bloomfield, NM directly to the UNM Children’s Hospital where he stayed for three weeks. Then he spent five months going back and forth from the hospital to Casa Esperanza, spending both Christmas and his 11th birthday in the hospital last year. With a typical threeyear treatment plan for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, he misses football, cousins, and school. His immune system is too compromised by chemotherapy for him to return home. Lucita had to quit her job of nine years at Denny’s in Farmington to be with her son during his treatments in Albuquerque. “I realized Zacary’s cancer was going to change the way we lived. I used to be really organized and now we live one day at a time.”
“Casa Esperanza has helped me a lot. There are other people here going through the same things we are and we all support each other. We are like one big family.”
“Once you have cancer, life is different. You always wonder if it will come back. Living with the unknown is the hardest part.” After working as a broker/owner with Good Earth Realty for almost 20 years, Ron Goecks and his wife, Brenda, were enjoying retirement in Datil, NM. They would spend their days fishing at Lake Quemado with their dog in their 1958 airstream camper or just enjoying a good book or woodworking project around their house. However, four years ago, Ron’s doctors discovered something that would change his life forever. Ron was diagnosed with esophageal cancer and would have to undergo treatment in Albuquerque immediately. Through radiation, Ron was able to beat the cancer… or so he thought. After 6 months, he was diagnosed a second time with the same type of cancer in the same spot in his throat. This time Ron’s doctors treated it more aggressively. He was able to beat it with radiation treatments two times a day. Ron had a clean bill
of health until May 2013 when he was diagnosed a third time with the same type of cancer in the same location. Even though he has faced the same type of cancer three times, Ron still has hope that he will recover. Ron has found some of that hope through his relationships formed at Casa Esperanza. He said that the connections between the other families staying at Casa Esperanza help him and Brenda accept the hard situation.
“You don’t feel alone, and that makes a big difference.” Ron and his wife have made many friends during their stays at Casa Esperanza. Over the years, they have been able to keep in touch with and encourage other families battling cancer by sending holiday cards and cancer support books. Ron said almost every time they come back to stay at Casa Esperanza, they see someone they already know. He described it like, “being a member of a club… a club with heavy dues.” Ron is no longer receiving chemotherapy, but travels to Albuquerque once a month for maintenance treatment. His tumor count has dropped and his doctors call him “miracle man.” He said what has really kept him going is the love and support he has received from his wife, family, and friends. The hope they have given him has been the best medicine.
Major Contributors $5,000 + Blue Cross Blue Shield of NM Clovis Board of Realtors Dr. Richard Castillo Elizabeth Smith Embassy Suites Albuquerque Jim and Ellen King Keith Wilson Keller Williams Realty Sysco Food Systems
$1,000 - 4,999 Andrew Cowan Aztec Abstract & Title Insurance Central & Northern NM Combined Federal Campaign Cheryl and Jeff Gaedke Conrad and Mary Strohacker Construction Technology Specialists, Inc. Desert Southwest Combined Federal Campaign Eileen Casey Cook Gap Inc. James Rupe Julie Tierney Lee and Sandi Black Michael and Joyce Skolnick New Mexico Bank & Trust Otto and Sonya Strack Peyton Yates REI Robert B. Loftfield, Ph.D. Steve and Lisa Evans The Crebilly Foundation The Owl Cafe Gang Vicki and Kenneth Woody Women’s Christian Service Society
Program Support Frost Foundation Hancock Family Foundation NM Department of Health United Way of Central NM
$500 - 999 Anthony Masciotra, Jr. ATech Corporation Bob and Phyllis Stice CCIM NM Claudia McConnell Col. George and Shirley Brabson Cosmopolitan Woman’s Club Dara and Hector Ambriz Dianne Stone First United Methodist Church of Kingfisher, OK Gerry and Tamala Gdowski Grace Parr Gulfstream Lomas Ltd. Jane Cook Jerry and Joyce Foropoulos Katrina Tracy Lisa Bloom Lloyd & Jessica Bonzon Mary Kay Schmink Reliable Chevrolet Nissan Richard and Mary Loyd Ryan Dobbs Steve and Lori Aguilar TLC Plumbing and Utility Trinity on the Hill Episcopal Church
Memorials Adam Engram Anastacio M. Lujan Audrey Mueller Bud Meinrath Charlie Lee Chela Gore Chuck Gara
Cindy Bellinger Cooper Alan Gray Deceased Members of St. Vincent Academy Class of 1964 Don Nielson Eugene Arthur Aalto Gina Orona-Ruiz Joe Evans John T. Schmink Juan R. Lopez Kevin Jackson Laura Padilla Manuel R. Lara, Jr. Manuelita A. Lujan Matias F. Manning Meghan McBrayer Nina McIntosh Rhonda Ray Roman Martinez Tony Maese
Honorariums Arthur Goodale Bonita Wilson Carrisa Vaquez Donella Goff Eileen Cook Esther Foropoulos Jasmine Vaquez Julia Dexter Kathleen Hellman The Kiernan wedding Michelle Klink Rachel Scott Sadie O. Knight Shauna Howser
Thank you to all of our generous donors, volunteers, and car program supporters. Because of limited space, we are not able to list everyone who supports Casa Esperanza and the Casa Esperanza Endowment Foundation. Please know that your gift, no matter the amount, is the key to our success. We appreciate each and every one of you!
Grants Kidney patient support Dialysis Clinic, Inc. Breast cancer patient support Nancy Floyd Haworth Foundation
House Improvements Western Refinery Rotary Club of Albuquerque PNM Resources General support Albuquerque Academy
All-time residents by county through June 30, 2014 Rio Arriba 852
San Juan 3,426
Colfax 515
Taos 901
Mora 191
Los Alamos 248
McKinley 1,032
Sandoval 250
Cibola 575
Harding 25
Socorro 489
Quay 481
Guadalupe 461 Torrance 103
Curry 724 Roosevelt 388
Lincoln 866 Chaves 2,105
Sierra 818 Grant 1,232
Luna 845
Do単a Ana 3,237
Otero 2,097
New Mexico: 29,639 Arizona: 3,038 Colorado: 572 Texas: 453 Other: 867
Total: 34,569
De Baca 176 Catron 348
All-time residents by state through June 30, 2014
San Miguel 718
Santa Fe 585
Bernalillo 174 Valencia 125
Union 87
Lea 870 Eddy 1,597
Hidalgo 189
Residents from July 1, 2013 - June 30, 2014 Patients: 2,004 Family members: 5,142 Cancer: 1,528 Non-cancer: 476 Pediatric patients: 298 Adult patients (18+): 1,708 UNM: 1,675 NE Heights: 14 Presbyterian: 167 Lovelace: 78 Other facility: 70 Caucasian: 1,183 Hispanic: 2,444 Native American: 1,389 African American: 66 Asian: 12 Other: 48
Total residents: 7,146
Casa Esperanza, Inc. Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2014 Revenues Grants NM Department of Health Program Income Contributions & Support Foundation Support Event Income Interest Income Other Income In-Kind Income Total Support & Revenue
Expenses Program General & Administrative Fundraising Total Expenses before Depr. Change in Net Assets before Depr. Depreciation Expense Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
178,500 86,400 213,556 168,279 73,341 23,003 34 1,797 39,668 784,578 465,451 142,531 19,222 627,204 157,374 78,806 78,568
In-Kind Income Event Income 5% 3% Foundation Support 9% NM Dept. of Health 11%
Grants 23%
Program Income 27% Contribution & Support 27%
Revenues
Expenses Fundraising 3%
General & Admin 20% Program 74%
76%
cancer patients
592
vehicles donated to Give Hope a Ride
85
volunteer groups
100
in-kind gifts Endowment Foundation Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2014
Revenues Car Donation Program (net of cost of sales) Event Income Contributions & Support Investment Return Interest Income In-Kind Income Total Revenue
299,102 24,440 6,667 178,376 495 9,998 519,078
Expenses Program (Support to Casa Esperanza, Inc.) General & Administrative Fundraising* Depreciation Expense Total Expenses Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
73,341 150,487 231,587 4,117 459,532 59,546
Long-Term Investments 30-Jun-14 Mutual Funds Equity Funds Fixed Income Funds Land held for sale ABQ Community Foundation Funds Charitable Gift Annuity Total Investments
FMV 858,864 400,876 0 73,599 26,539 -21,452 1,338,426
22%
residents under 18 Average Return on Investments = 13.5% House and Car Lot volunteers have donated 4,861 hours of labor this year. The board has donated 238 hours to Casa Esperanza and the Foundation. Copies of the full 2014 audit for Casa Esperanza, Inc. and the consolidated audit for Casa Esperanza, Inc. and Casa Esperanza Endowment Foundation are available from the organization office. *Casa Esperanza Endowment is acting as Fiscal Agent for Day of the Tread. In the audited financials the Day of the Tread expense of $231,587 is included in the Foundation fundraising expense. We have taken that number out here as well as the restricted event income amount of $287,440.
Casa Esperanza
PO Box 40472 Albuquerque, NM 87196
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID ALBUQUERQUE, NM PERMIT #599
Annual Report 2014 Our Mission Casa Esperanza - New Mexico’s home away from home supporting families facing cancer. •
Casa Esperanza (Tax ID #: 85-0356946) is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. All contributions are tax deductible.
• Casa Esperanza receives funding from private grants and donations, the Combined Federal Campaign, DCI, the New Mexico Department of Health, and United Way. • Member: NM Cancer Council, an alliance of cancer support agencies, hospital treatment centers and governmental agencies to inform, to educate and to advocate on behalf of NM cancer patients and their families. They create and implement the Comprehensive Cancer Plan. Their website is www.cancernm.org/cancercouncil. • Affiliate: NM Cancer Care Alliance, providing NM cancer patients with local access to latest experimental treatments available. Their website is www.nmcca.org. • Member: Healthcare Hospitality Network. To learn more about HHN and other special places such as Casa Esperanza go to www.nahhh.org.
For more information and to donate, visit casanm.org
SAVE THE DATES Gala for Hope “There’s No Place Like Home” March 28th, 2015
Mike Moore Memorial Golf Classic June 12, 2015
Give Hope a Ride Auction
2nd Saturday of every month