Here are 5 of KTAR News’ feel-good stories from 2020
Dec 31, 2020, 5:10 AM
(KTAR News Photo/Ali Vetnar)
PHOENIX — From navigating a global pandemic to canceled events and shut down businesses to a volatile election season, it hasn’t been an easy year for Arizonans.
However, not everything in 2020 was bad.
Here are five stories from KTAR News 92.3 FM that reminded us there is still plenty of good news in the world.
Phoenix nonprofit working to protect homeless during coronavirus outbreak
A local nonprofit is working to keep the homeless healthy and equipped during the coronavirus outbreak in Phoenix.
In partnership with the city of Phoenix, Circle the City received 500 masks from Mayor Kate Gallego’s office to be handed out to the homeless population as the city’s new mandatory mask policy took effect.
Circle the City offers healthcare services for the homeless. Its care includes a recuperative medical respite model where individuals who are too vulnerable to be on the streets are given a safe place to heal and get back on their feet.
With five locations throughout Phoenix, their care goes beyond their facilities with mobile care units and dedicated volunteers. All of which are now in very high demand as coronavirus continues to spread within Maricopa County.
Since the pandemic began, the nonprofit has pivoted some of its normal services in efforts to meet the needs of the homeless during the coronavirus outbreak.
Mesa firefighter battling rare cancer contracted on job, raising awareness
For the past 13 years, Trevor Madrid has fought fires in the city of Mesa. Now he’s been taken off a firetruck to fight for his life.
In March 2019, Madrid was 33 years old when he was diagnosed with an extremely rare cancer called synovial sarcoma. Since, he has worked to find the best possible course of action to fight such a rare cancer that only one to three people out of 1 million are said to contract.
“My treatment plan has been super crazy,” Madrid told KTAR News 92.3 FM. “There are days that my treatment plans change multiple times in one day.”
In October, he started his first round of chemotherapy at the Mayo Clinic followed by a round of radiation at Scottsdale-based Vincere Cancer Center.
The cancer center has dedicated its time and resources to helping screen Valley firefighters for cancer free of charge in hopes of preventing cancer in the fire service by catching it early.
11-year-old cancer survivor helps give back to Banner Children’s patients
An 11-year-old’s fight against cancer has inspired his mother’s place of work to give back to patients inside the pediatric oncology unit of Banner Children’s at Desert in Mesa.
After celebrating the end of his treatment for stage 4 cancer in February, Braydon Felix and Macdonald Orthodontics — where his mom works — raised over $4,000 to help young patients going through a similar experience.
The combined group effort raised a total of $4,175 in gift cards ranging from food and drink to shopping to video games.
Valley nonprofit hopes to help veterans become certified welders
Veterans in the Valley have a new opportunity to better shape their future with free tuition to a new trade school.
Heavy Metal Welding Tech, Inc. launched a fundraising campaign that will help veterans with limited financial opportunity enter the workforce by establishing a career in welding.
With an expected launch date in early spring of 2021, the academy will offer 12 students a 16-week course including instruction and hands-on training with experienced welders.
Phoenix-area church raises more than $1 million for mental health aid
Christ’s Church of the Valley in Peoria raised more than $1 million for people needing financial assistance for mental health counseling.
“Paying for professional counseling is not cheap and that’s actually one of the barriers from getting the help they need,” CCV senior pastor Ashley Wooldridge told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Gaydos and Chad.
Wooldridge and the church launched the “Press On” campaign in November to respond to growing mental health challenges in the Valley and to connect people in need of help with resources such as counseling.
With the money raised, CCV is offering to help pay for the first 10 counseling sessions for those in need struggling with their mental health, whether they attend the church or not.