Local living proof that Idol gives back


Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 3:00 PM MDT


SIERRA VISTA — Standing before millions of viewers during Wednesday’s airing of Idol Gives Back, Simon Cowell blew a kiss to 6-year-old Xylin of Douglas, Ariz.


Dr. Jon and Simon Cowell share a moment at the Children's Health Fund Clinic.

“She was so thrilled,” said Larette, Xylin’s mother. “Then when he said that Xylin was really cute, that meant so much to us.” Larette, who did not want her family’s last name revealed, said she and her family agreed to appear on Idol Gives Back to help raise awareness about medically underserved communities.

On April 9, Cowell was in Douglas, where he visited young Xylin and her family while filming the Idol Gives Back segment on behalf of Children’s Health Fund. Cowell also met with pediatrician Jonathan Lee-Melk, the director of Community Pediatrics for Southern Arizona Children’s Health Project, a program sponsored by Children’s Health Fund in partnership with Chiricahua Community Health Services, Inc.

Late last year, Children’s Health Fund donated a 40-foot pediatric mobile medical clinic to CCHCI’s pediatric program, which will be used to reach children and their families in some of the county’s more remote areas.

Xylin suffers from a rare genetic disorder that affects her lungs, causing bouts of pneumonia and infections, as well as hospitalizations.

“Before we met Dr. Jon, Xylin she was always getting sick and had to be hospitalized several times,” said Larette. “Dr. Jon has become family to us. Xylin has improved so much under his care. We’re also grateful for the mobile clinic that Children’s Health Fund has provided our area, and for the great work that programs like Idol Gives Back do for children everywhere.”

While in Douglas, Cowell toured CCHCI’s new 40 foot pediatric mobile clinic and listened to Larette talk about what the mobile unit means for Cochise County’s families. During Wednesday’s program, Cowell said it was good to get out into the communities and see the positive benefits that the money raised through Idol Gives Back brings to the different organizations.

This marks the third time Children’s Health Fund benefited from Idol Gives Back, American Idol’s Emmy Award-winning event that raises funds for a number of U.S. and international charities. Children’s Health Fund is the country’s leading provider of pediatric mobile-based health care. CCHCI received its state-of-the-art mobile unit late last year.

“I can’t tell you how much we appreciate what Children’s Health Fund and Idol Gives Back have done for our pediatric program at Chiricahua Community Health Centers,” Lee-Melk said. “Idol Gives Back puts a brief spotlight on our pediatric program. We need talent and resources and the attention we receive through Idol helps our program attract both.”

Copyright © 2013 Douglas Dispatch

Comments

    dodacrazy wrote on May 1, 2010 1:05 AM:

    " This is a great story and a fine event to help sick children,but it still is sad how others reap the benefits without a thought of how many other children they are cheating. "

    Raised in Douglas wrote on Apr 29, 2010 7:06 PM:

    " I am speechless, I watched American Idol and was shocked that Douglas AZ came out,and that Simon Cowell was there I was so very happy that they have this mobile for the children and they are helping children like Xylin. I thank American Idol because the way our economy is and parents cannot afford it for the children and for themselves this makes a difference. May god bless everyone that donated. "

    Lee Atonna wrote on Apr 29, 2010 12:15 PM:

    " While it is wonderful that children in Douglas are able to receive improved medical care, I thought the piece did a great disservice to the doctors past and present who have provided medical care in Douglas. I also thought the views of Douglas as a town of boarded up houses was unfortunate. This piece certainly exemplified the concept that reality often does not make for good television. "

    satisfied Chiricahua patient wrote on Apr 28, 2010 4:15 PM:

    " Great job, Dr Jonathan Lee melk. "

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