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Vedadi advocates for pediatric facility
Davenport High School graduate and Seven Bays native Shayna (Damschen) Vedadi is dedicating her efforts in Cabo to her late father and former pastor Warren Damschen.
LOS CABO, MEXICO - A Davenport High School graduate and Seven Bays native is hoping to see a children's hospital and pediatric medical center in Cabo after learning there is no such care for children in the city.
Shayna (Damschen) Vedadi, a member of the Class of 2002 who now lives in Austin, is working with the Chileno Bay Foundation on the "Cabo Kid's Project" to raise money for the cause in memory of her father, Warren Damschen, the former pastor of Deer Meadows-based Lake Roosevelt Bible Church who died in Jan. 2014.
Vedadi, a former employee of Mayo Clinic who worked as an ultrasound sonographer, said she got involved with the Foundation two years ago. The Foundation lists its mission as promoting community projects to benefit children in the Baja California region.
She toured a current pediatric facility in La Paz, three hours from Cabo, and learned families have to take children there or fly them to San Diego to receive medical care.
"The access is very different (than) in the U.S.," Vedadi said. "These families have to be bused to La Paz, which is three hours away, which many can't afford."
Vedadi said the Foundation's goal is to raise $14 million for Phase I of the project, which is to construct a pediatric medical facility in Cabo. $9 million has been raised so far, and Vedadi hopes to raise $2 million herself by March 31.
Thus far, she said she's raised about $95,000. She began her campaign Tuesday, Jan. 23, the 10-year anniversary of Warren Damschen's death.
The campaign for children to be able to have access to pediatric care is personal to Vedadi. Her now 10-year-old son, Lincoln, suffered a stroke while Vedadi was pregnant with him and has had to receive pediatric care throughout his life.
"He's had to have physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, braces, special footwear," she said. "I knew the realm very well...but I lived in this world in the U.S. where as a medical employee, I had access to insurance, doctors, therapy doctors."
Vedadi said the new facility will be run by Mexico-based foundation Teleton, the largest foundation in the country. 15 acres were donated for construction of the facility.
Phase II of the project, which any excess funding donated for Phase I will go toward, is to build a new children's hospital in Cabo, Vedadi said.
Those interested in donating can do so on the Chileno Bay Foundation website, or by mailing a check to Chileno Bay Foundation at 14605 North 73rd Street, Scottsdale, Arizona, 85260. Additionally, Kent-based BILLY Footwear, which specializes in making shoes for children with special needs or mobility issues, is donating 15% of sales to the foundation, according to Vedadi and the Foundation website.
Vedadi thanked Lincoln County locals who have already donated to the project.
"Growing up in a small town, it takes a village," Vedadi said. "This really is about the Cabo project."
Drew Lawson is the editor of the Davenport Times. He is a graduate of Eastern Washington University.
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