Inspired by a son they lost to cancer in 1985, George and Diana Trujeque have now raised more than $3 million for the Children’s Cancer Fund of New Mexico. They were recently honored for their efforts by the Valencia County News-Bulletin as the 2007 Citizens of the Year during a ceremony held on the UNM-Valencia campus.
Photo: George Trujeque
They will be the first to point out that they are not the real heroes. In a written statement, the Trujeques said their son Erin was the real hero, “whose strength, courage and selflessness inspires us to do what we can to help others. Secondly, there are the children and families that have faced and are facing the challenge of their lives as the result of the cancer diagnosis.”
George is the director of golf at the UNM Championship Course, a position he has held since 2001. Both he and his wife Diana have strong ties to UNM. Both are alumni. For more than 14 years, Diana worked in the Lobo’s men’s basketball office. She is currently a member of the board for the CCFNM.
“The cancer fund helps all kids who go through treatment at the UNM Cancer Center,” George said. He said the children receive bravery bucks, just as his son did, for going through some of the painful procedures and diagnoses associated with cancer treatment. Children also receive toys, and the families are assisted in various ways.
“The families receive gas and food vouchers,” he said. “The fund pays for stays at the Ronald McDonald House.”
One family the fund helped was going through some very difficult financial trouble. They had no means of transportation to visit their child at UNM Hospital. “So we bought a used car for the family so they could travel from Grants to be with their child.”
George is very proud of one particular project – a scholarship program. Any child who goes through treatment at the UNM Cancer Center and graduates from high school can apply for a scholarship funded by the CCFNM. The amounts started at $500, but now the program has grown to $1,500 stipends.
“We’ve had two doctors come out of our program,” George said.
The Trujeques have raised funds through an annual golf tournament held in July at the Championship Course. This summer 570 golfers participated in the two-day event.
“We expanded to two days some time back, and we still have too many players,” he said. “I don’t know what we’ll do next year.”
Next year’s tournament will be held July 10-11. George pointed out that the bulk of the money raised is not from the actual tournament fees but from sponsorships. A gala affair is held at the Sandia Casino and Resort on the first night of the tournament where both a live and silent auction raises the real dollars. Various companies donate large-ticket items or travel packages, such as a golfing trip to Pebble Beach.
“The first year we held the tournament (1986) we raised $21,000 and we thought we had done something, but this last year we raised $397,000.”
All proceeds go to the Erin Trujeque Memorial and the sole beneficiary of the memorial is the CCFNM.
The Trujeques lost their only child to cancer, but since then they have been inspired to help 100-150 children every year. “That’s how many children are diagnosed at the cancer center annually,” George said. He added that a cancer diagnosis has a sobering effect on children faced with the reality that their lives may be cut short.
“Erin was 12 when he died,” George said. “But it was like talking to a 25-year-old man. Cancer makes them grow up fast.”
As for their success, George said it is the generosity of the community. “We have had such encouragement from the community. To be successful, you have to have a good committee working on the project, and you have to have a good cause.”
Media Contact: Chad Perry, (505) 925-8547; e-mail: cperry@unm.edu
Posted by scarr at December 7, 2007 10:18 AM