Announcing Our New Program Name: SEAHEC - Community Health Advocates for Migrant Population Services (CHAMPS)

We are excited to announce that the Migrant Healthcare Coordination Program has officially changed its name to SEAHEC - Community Health Advocates for Migrant Population Services (CHAMPS). This name change reflects our ongoing commitment to expanding the support we provide to migrant communities. Moving forward, we will operate under this new name to better align with our mission and continue advocating for the health and well-being of migrant populations.

This month, the CHAMPS team was called to respond to a particularly challenging case. On a Tuesday afternoon, Esperanza and her 16-year-old son Valentín (names have been changed to protect their privacy) arrived at the shelter. Valentín, a cancer patient with advanced leukemia, had been told by doctors in their home country that nothing more could be done for him. In search of better medical care, Esperanza and Valentín crossed the border with the hope of finding a new opportunity for healing.

Upon their arrival, CHAMPS volunteer medical provider, Dr. Kame, immediately recognized the urgency of Valentín’s condition and arranged for him to be transported to the hospital. As Valentín received care, our CHAMPS coordinators maintained constant communication with Esperanza to offer support and ensure her needs were met during this difficult time.

Sadly, on October 7th, Valentín passed away at Banner Hospital in Tucson.

While our hearts are heavy for Esperanza, this case underscores the critical role that CHAMPS plays in supporting families during the most challenging moments of their lives. Our team worked tirelessly to ensure Esperanza received not only the medical care she needed, but also the emotional and logistical support necessary to help her navigate the loss of her son.

In partnership with the Pima County Health Department and the Tucson Mexican Consulate, CHAMPS helped arrange a safe and compassionate environment for Esperanza after leaving the hospital. We coordinated her return home to be with her family for burial services, providing her with comfort and support as she journeyed through this painful chapter.

This experience emphasizes the invaluable work that our team of Community Health Workers and volunteers do each day at CHAMPS. We are committed to ensuring that the migrants we serve receive not only physical care, but also the emotional and spiritual support they need in times of crisis