Any time our children are sick – the biggest priority becomes getting them better.
Radiothon 2025
That’s why UNM Children’s Hospital recently partnered with radio station 100.3 The Peak and KOB-TV for its 21stannual Radiothon fundraiser. In just one day, New Mexicans donated $132,281 to the state’s only dedicated children’s hospital, directly supporting its youngest patients.
You still have an opportunity to give the priceless gift of health this holiday season by visiting the UNM Foundation Radiothon website. One hundred percent of funds raised go directly to treatment tools, toys, books and games at UNM Children’s Hospital. No gift is too small.
Volunteers working the phone bank for 2025 radiothon. Photo credit: Julian Gutierrez
A participant poses for the photobooth during Radiothon. Photo credit: Julian Gutierrez
Media partner 100.3 The Peak hosted its show live from Child Life for Radiothon. Photo credit: Julian Gutierrez
CNM donated decorations to make Child Life a winter wonderland during Radiothon.
Zay’s Story
This year, the story of one young New Mexican shows how past donations have made a positive impact during a difficult time.
Crystal Garcia said it all started with a sore throat last fall. Her daughter, Zay Garcia, was in 4th grade when the school nurse sent her home early. Zay never returned to school.
She was diagnosed with COVID, then hospitalized with tonsilitis and when her condition only worsened—despite being in intensive care—doctors in her hometown of Española tested her for cancer.
Crystal Garcia said the results came just two days before Zay’s 10th birthday.
“It was a nerve-racking birthday weekend,” she said.
Zay was diagnosed with B-cell, acute lymphoblastic leukemia. One of the most common forms of blood cancer, and thankfully, one of the most treatable, Crystal Garcia said.
As a mother, she said she stays strong for her daughter, keeping the tears at bay. But she’s also been so proud of the way her daughter is handling treatment.
![Raditohon-14[76]](https://iprsoftwaremedia.com/417/files/202512/694099613d6332a828320f5b_Raditohon-14%5B76%5D/Raditohon-14%5B76%5D_s.jpg "Zay Garcia at 2025 Radiothon. Photo credit: Julian Gutierrez")
“I feel like, if I am breaking down with her, then it might affect her strength, her bravery, on getting treatment done,” she said.
Zay said, right now, she’s doing okay.
“Sometimes, it can be scary,” Zay said. “Sometimes, you get nervous, but for most of the time, it's pretty good.”
She and her family spend a lot of time at UNM Children’s Hospital, traveling back and forth from Española.
“It's almost like a family, like they treat you like family,” Crystal Garcia said. “They're just so kind, and nurse Jen is amazing with Child Life. She's there for distraction when Zay's getting her port accessed and while she's waiting for her chemo to come in.”
Child Life Services, on the 6th floor of UNM Children’s Hospital, is home away from home for children inside the hospital. It is a place to read, play games, and in Zay’s case, to craft.
“Jen gives me full bottles of glitter to throw into my slime,” she said. “Once you have glitter on your skin, that's your new best friend. You're never getting it off.”
Zay said Nurse Jen and the other Child Life specialists help her and children like her through their treatments every day, keeping their sparkle alive. The Garcias said they’re grateful for the care they’ve received.
“It's great to see the child come out of her,” Crystal Garcia said.
She continued saying she and Zay—and occasionally Zay’s younger sister—spend hours and or even entire days waiting for chemotherapy and infusions. Thanks to community support, Child Life offers a variety of activities for young patients to pass the time and even have fun, Zay said.
“She’s able to make the slime, and to see her just pouring that whole little thing of glitter into her slime, and I'm like, ‘Stop!’ But at the same time, you do it because you can't do this at home,” Crystal Garcia said.
All of the glitter, coloring books, sand art and so much more are 100% supplied by community donations. These helpful distractions are just one reason Crystal Garcia said she brought her daughter to UNM Hospital.
“I trust the doctors entirely with my child's life, because that's really what it is,” she said. “They have my child's life in their hands, so I haven't doubted them one bit.”
