Cabo San Lucas, Los Mochis, Guadalajara, Cuautitlan, Toluca

January 2015 Mexico

To kick off our first mission run of 2015, we headed south to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. We were fortunate to have special guests join us, including the legendary Sammy Hagar and actress Kate Hudson. We also had the help of sponsors Audigy Group, Harbaugh Foundation and Auction.com, along with our partners from Starkey Mexico and the Lions Club of Cabo San Lucas. The team came together and worked hard to bring the joy of sound to hundreds in need. Hagar played guitar for the children, with many of them clapping and dancing along. Some were hearing music for the first time.

After celebrating a successful mission with a private concert by Hagar, we traveled across the Gulf of California to the beautiful beach town of Los Mochis. There we changed even more lives — starting the year off on a high note.

Our next stop was Guadalajara, a western-pacific metropolis. On our second day, we met 5-year-old Antonio and his parents — all three of whom had severe hearing loss. We had only planned to fit Antonio, but we couldn’t let this family leave the site until all three were connected through hearing. Little Antonio came alive over the course of the fitting. He mimicked the noises around him and ran through the fitting site, testing out his vocal abilities. He even got his first taste of music when two young girls played the violin for him. Happy and exhausted, Antonio fell asleep in his father’s arms as the family completed counseling and prepared for their new future with hearing.

From Guadalajara, the team traveled east to Cuautitlán, which translates to “Your Home Between the Trees.” The team felt very much at home due to the warmth and energy from the patients, many of whom cheered us on throughout the fittings. We fit nearly a thousand people in total, reflecting caring to each and every one.

After a great mission in Phoenix, the team traveled back to Mexico to bring the gift of hearing to Toluca. While we saw many incredible patients during the four days of fittings in Toluca, one story in particular stayed with us. Raul, 36, had never heard before when he sat down in Stephanie Loccisano’s fitting chair. Raul’s mother was with him, and the two were clearly very close. Stephanie worked diligently to find the perfect fit for Raul, and what followed was a touching moment. Raul’s mother started speaking to him, and tears of joy filled both of their eyes as mother and son heard each other for the first time. It was a powerful moment of connection through hearing, and we know it’s only the beginning of a better life for Raul.

Special Thanks

Audigy: Brandon Dawson, Ricardo Rodriquez, Chris Cox, Michael Brown, Charity Leitz, Mary Ann Gilbert, Jacquie Elcox, Joe Cooper, Linda Farrow, Sunni McBride, Kelly Turner, Barbara Paulin; Starkey Mexico; Harbaugh Foundation: Joe, Pam and Anjie Balla; Auction.com: Rob Friedman, Fon Ballard; Sammy Hagar; Kate Hudson; Audibel: Stacy DuBois, Bob West, Brenda Haugen, Matt Taylor, Randy Fore; NuEar: Mike DeYarman, Damien Fogg; Dr. Earl Harford; Jennifer Fox; Audibel: Langston and Stephanie Rogers; Knowles Electronics: John Rodack, Kathryn Haas, Chris Maret, Emily Wigley, Erik Wiederholtz, Randy Sparks; Audiology Student Volunteers: Liz Shobel, Eva Hecht, Ashley Foots, Carrie Raz, Ashlynn Hargrave, Samantha Vrooman

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