Julie, Alfredo, and Marcos Saldana-proud Kidd's Kid 2008

Hola Kidd,
I don't even know where to begin....We want to thank you from the bottom
of our hearts for the best 5 days ever in Marcos' life, really! He still cannot stop
talking about some aspect of the trip and I don't think he ever will. This trip
meant almost as much to me and my husband as to Marcos; for different
reasons. I have been a listener of yours since you were on KEGL and my
youngest sister has a picture of you and her when she was 12 (she is
turning 30 this year)! She is in Belgium; her husband is an Army guy
and they have 3 boys. Then when you started Kidd's Kids, I always
found a way to give. You always made it sound so wonderful that God
picked the parents of these special needs children and I never thought
that I would be one of those "lucky" parents. When we went on the trip,
he had only been out of the hospital less than a week and by just looking
at him, he looks very healthy. He was only fine for one month upon returning
and was admitted again on December 17th and was there until Dec 30th. His
health continues to decline and I have been told to prepare for a lung transplant
in his future. JSi came to visit him before he left for his Christmas vacation
and that was so awesome!.....for Marcos and his popularity!! Also, Freddy
keeps in close contact with him and truly cares for how Marcos feels. It makes
a mother proud for someone to take the time to see how her child is doing. He
and JSi text sometimes and that is really cool for him also.
All this has occurred because of you, because of KISS FM. You are such a
leader and an inspiration and I can honestly say that you are a huge part of our
lives. I start listening to you at 5am (and usually catch what I missed the day
before) and continue til I can, sometimes all the way til 10! I hate missing anything.
When a family member or friend hear something they had missed earlier, they call
me. There are many events in our lives that have connected us to you and your
station. Marcos participated in your Diaper Derby in 1998! He won the first round
and then was beat out in the end! It was fun! When he was diagnosed at age 3,
we were supposed to be going to your 4th of July Summer concert at Starplex and
we were not able to go because Marcos was sick. Alfredo was working at Starplex
as a police sargeant and he was right by the KISS FM tent when I called. He told
you of our situation and you talked to me and said sorry we weren't able to go to the
concert. And if there was ever a concert we wanted to go to , to just let you know.
I never did because anyone can say that, right? I would have been to embarrassed
to take your time. Anyway, Marcos has been listening to all of you all his life! We
were listening to you when he was born!
We feel as if we know all of you and we have some tie to each of you. One of
my nieces went to Skyline High School with Shanon. We really love Kelly since
she joined ya'll years ago and love Emma Kelly. We met Al at the Greenville Ave St Patrick's parade several years ago; he was a judge and my sister and I were volunteers in
helping with the parade. Also, Al and Kirk (his past best friend and attorney) used
to hang out with my brother-in-law, Frank (also an attorney), Frank remembers
him fondly. Now, JSi is a brotherly contact with Marcos and it is truly just
awesome and wonderful! Kidd, you are amazing and your staff is amazing also!
Derrick Brown is a jewel and we love him! We will always think of you all with
happy hearts! We also love the other radio and hospital staffers that went on
the trip and made it memorable! Oh, Dr Dan knows Marcos' godmother from
medical school. She works at Dallas Children's! She saw the pics and immediately
recognized him.
Anyway, sorry this "thank you" is late but since returning from the trip, it has
been constant catching up with school work, many sick days, dr appts, housework,
laundry, etc.... I had e-mailed you all twice before but never got a response so I
asked JSi to tell me where to send it and he told me. I also sent it to him in case
you do not get to this. I am sorry it is so long but I tried to condense many years
of memories into a few paragraphs! Also, I am not that great on the computer, and
I do not have anyone around to help me out. (Kelly is SOOO lucky to have you
around, Mr Techno!!) I make her look like a genius on the computer.
Oh, we also keep in touch with Tracy Mclead (Torrence's mom) from Lubbock
and we were both at appts at Children's on the same day (in Dec) and did not know
it. She will return in March and both families are hoping that it will not be while you are
out for Spring break so that we can come and "watch the show" live and maybe
visit with all of you once again. We also keep in touch with the Carrielos from
San Antonio. We hope to visit them when we go visit my sister and family soon.
Well, thank you from the bottom of our hearts once again. Thank you Kidd,
Kelly, Big Al, JSi, Shanon, and Freddy! We love you and will remember this
forever!
Love, Julie, Alfredo, and Marcos Saldana-proud Kidd's Kid 2008
P.S. Will we ever get to hear Freddy's Kidd's Kid song with all the "la la...La la las"
that our kids sang? I sure do hope so!
P.S.S. There are a couple of nurses and respiratory therapists that want to
get on the list ot health care professionals that volunteer to go. To whom
do I give the names? One nurse gave JSi her card to forward to the right
person.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL! You are the best!!! Please keep Marcos
in your prayers; 2008 was very difficult and we pray for a better 2009!