Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in both men and women; it is also the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, a month set aside to increase awareness and education of colon cancer. According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, almost half (47%)…

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women, a condition very familiar to Taos, NM resident Kendra Bealor, 57. Both sides of Bealor’s family have a history of the disease, so the symptoms of a heart attack are very familiar to her. But she was still surprised when the symptoms struck her one…

Alexander C. grew up watching his father and brother battle debilitating stomach issues. While he knew it was a problem, he figured it was normal and manageable based on their experiences. Throughout his adolescence, he’d deal with bouts of stomach pain, nausea and vomiting, and occasionally it would become so severe he’d go to the…

In 2012, after giving birth to her youngest son, Kassandra Y. was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, a hereditary disease that affects the heart muscle and makes it harder for the heart to pump blood to the rest of the body. Although cardiomyopathy is a very serious condition, Kassandra and her family had no idea the journey…

The Madrid couple didn’t know that their five hour drive to Albuquerque would lead to open-heart surgery. Arturo and his wife Pilar traveled from their cozy home in Anthony, New Mexico (located close to the border in southern NM) to seek better treatment and a recommendation for Arturo’s poor heart condition at the Heart Hospital…

Arturo Madrid, 82, is doing exceptionally well after undergoing the first LVAD implant procedure performed in New Mexico at the Heart Hospital of New Mexico at Lovelace Medical Center on December 19, 2017. Arturo and his wife Pilar waged a long and frustrating battle with Arturo’s deteriorating health to no avail until a patient referral led them…

Joleen Trujillo, 66, has had many opportunities to surrender to debilitating health issues, yet she has persevered and still works hard to overcome her obstacles. A mother of two sons and grandmother to eight, the Albuquerque resident has battled multiple sclerosis (MS) for the past 28 years. “I have relapsing-remitting MS,” explained Trujillo. “I suppose…

Thoughtful ‘thank you’ letters for team members remind us of the important work we do every day and that each interaction matters. We recently received a letter from Lily Colmenero, whose husband Cesar is battling the effects of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) with bravery, determination and a willingness to work hard against this debilitating disease. MS…

We caught up with Jim Davis, 78, after he returned from a walk with his wife Brenda and Revere, their 75-pound Australian cattle dog. “Good morning,” he said. “We just got back from a three-mile walk and we’re feeling good.” Davis has been active most of his adult life. After serving as a senior master…

Linda Lenehan has led a very active life. While her banker husband was at work, Lenehan raised two children, which many would say is plenty of activity. She also kept the family fed, repaired things around the house and called someone to repair what she couldn’t. But in addition to raising two children, she also…