Rodeo foundation gives 9-year-old Carson Tahoe patient $11,000 grant at surprise parade

The Reno Rodeo Foundation awarded $30,000 to six families as a part of the organization’s Reno Rodeo Wish program, which supports the foundation’s mission to assist young people in Northern Nevada with extraordinary needs.

On Friday, June 5, in partnership with Carson Tahoe Health, the Reno Rodeo Foundation and several Carson Tahoe Health staff members assembled for a drive-by Care-A-Van surprise parade for 9-year-old Aydan Cruzaley-Fredenburg presenting him with $11,000 to pay for equestrian therapy sessions and to purchase a specialized wheelchair and lift.

“We are proud to have a long-history of making a difference throughout Northern Nevada since 1986”, shared Scott Peterson, Reno Rodeo Foundation Vice-President and Reno Rodeo Wish Chair. “Supporting Aydan and other children with funding to enhance the quality of their lives is made possible through our generous donors like the Capurro Family Foundation. We are grateful for the community who attend the Reno Rodeo, as well as extending our deepest appreciation to corporate partners like Carson Tahoe Health who help us give back. We couldn’t do it without you. Thank you!”
 
The car parade took place at Eagle Valley Children’s Home in Carson City, where Aydan lives and receives care, just a stone’s throw away from Carson Tahoe Cancer Center. His family gathered near him, clapped, and smiled as the parade passed by. Aydan too, although non-verbal, grinned from ear-to-ear. Although everyone was masked, the excitement and gratitude was evident. Before the parade, Aydan’s mother, Danielle Fredenburg, had not seen him in 80 days, as an isolation precaution from COVID-19.

Aydan was diagnosed at birth with Bilateral Schizencephaly with cortical vision impairment, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and microcephaly. His prognosis was he would not live past the age of three. Carson Tahoe has been at the core of his care with a phlebotomist visiting Eagle Valley Children’s home routinely to assist in his blood draws. Among other medical professionals that visit Aydan are a physical therapist, psychologist, and endocrinologist.

“Aydan has to sacrifice certain activities due to the financial obligation and restrictions of his growing needs,” says Maria Wilcox, AIC Nurse Manager at the Carson Tahoe Cancer Center and one of Aydan’s many caretakers. “It should not be this way for any young, growing boy, especially Aydan who has already overcome such diversity in his life.”

Wilcox was actually the person to submit Aydan for the Reno Rodeo Wish 2020.

“The most wonderful part of this story is for as long as he is living, Aydan will probably continue to get messy, play with trucks, learn in life and possibly grown much taller than his mother Danielle, but one thing is for sure, he is in every way just as strong and determined as she is,” Wilcox adds.

The Reno Rodeo Wish award money will provide Aydan’s family the opportunity to purchase a wheel chair lift. She will soon be able to lift her son up into the car and go to the movies, camping, school or even doctor appointments outside of the home. Additionally, this award will allow Aydan to get back in a saddle and continue equestrian therapy … perfect for a Reno Rodeo Foundation recipient.

“It’s amazing that we were chosen for this award,” Fredenburg says. “Not only will this money help me get him out with me more, but also, the equestrian therapy will help him learn to walk on his own. That’s one of our biggest goals and it will help us continue on that path.”

Carson Tahoe Health is a local, not-for-profit healthcare system with 240 licensed acute care beds. Serving a population of over 250,000, CTH features two hospitals, two urgent cares, an emergent care center, outpatient services and a provider network with 21 regional locations. The system is headquartered on a beautiful master planned 80-acre medical campus nestled among the foothills of the Sierra Nevada in North Carson City. As the system’s cornerstone, Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center (CTRMC), voted 5th most beautiful hospital in the nation, was the first Baby-Friendly designated hospital in Nevada. Also included on the campus is Carson Tahoe Sierra Surgery, the 15-bed boutique elective surgery arm of CTRMC, and Carson Tahoe Cancer Center, an affiliate of Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah. For more information, go to www.CarsonTahoe.com.

About the Reno Rodeo Foundation
The Reno Rodeo Foundation was incorporated in 1986 and is a nonprofit 501(c)3. In addition to the annual Denim Drive that helps clothe neglected and abused foster children 365 days a year, the organization provides scholarships to eligible Northern Nevada high school graduates, supports community grants, funds a Reno Rodeo Wish for a child, provides funding to purchase new books and new teddy bears to comfort children who must attend family court proceedings, builds community partnerships and serves as the anchor for large capital projects to improve the lives of children. Like Reno Rodeo Foundation on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or for more information, please visit RenoRodeoFoundation.org.