At the age of two, Monday 2 Littles facilitator Chase Lock was diagnosed with a brain tumor, specifically Childhood Choroid Plexus Carcinoma (CPC). While other toddlers were learning to walk, he was undergoing chemotherapy and radiation. At five, he experienced a relapse and spent ten months living at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, once again undergoing intensive treatment. He remembers it as a period when he “lived in a hospital,” often traveling out of state for specialized care.

Middle school coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, adding another layer of disruption as he began learning online. By eighth grade, his cancer returned for a third time—this time as a salivary gland cancer. He returned to Phoenix for treatment at the Mayo Clinic while continuing to manage his schoolwork and stay connected with classmates. Throughout high school, he worked to maintain academic momentum alongside ongoing medical care.

Chase experienced another relapse requiring surgery in Minnesota to remove his salivary gland. He and his mother then relocated to Minnesota, where he underwent another round of chemotherapy and radiation. During this time, he found comfort in small moments of escape—in a tiny den where he would retreat to play video games on a bean bag chair, watch movies, and read. During his most recent treatment in New York, he created his own version of a nest in his room where he could enjoy what his peers enjoy. A lifelong horror film fan, he found that genre especially helpful in taking his mind off treatment. One of his hospital rooms was even decorated in a Halloween theme, reflecting that passion.

“Through these painful situations, I kept pushing to survive,” Chase says.

Chase and his family were former participants in our Pathways program, where they experienced firsthand the grief and support services offered to families navigating serious medical diagnoses. Today, Chase serves as a facilitator for Monday 2 Littles, consistently showing up ready to play, engage, and hold space for children in the group. Even during parts of 2025 when he was undergoing treatment in New York, he returned to his role whenever he could.

“I remember being that kid,” Chase says. “The kids come in with such heavy hearts. When we are chasing each other, I hear them laugh, and it makes it all worth it.”

Outside of his volunteer work, Chase enjoys catching horror films at AMC Foothills or grabbing a meal at Arby’s. He also has a well-known appreciation for 7-Eleven, where he delights in the variety of snacks and drinks options.

Looking ahead, Chase will begin the Accelerated Pathway to Medical Education (APME) program at the University of Arizona. This seven-year program sets him on a path toward oncology, where he hopes to support patients from the other side of the care experience.

“I want to see patients behind the charts, telling them that I fight for you and with you,” Lock says.

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She was told about Tu Nidito when her mom died and came back years later as a facilitator. Ariella is now a Littles Facilitator on Tuesday 1 and a Middles Facilitator on Tuesday 2. Today, she lives with her aunt and extended family, carrying forward the love her mother gave her. Some of Ariella’s favorite memories are simple ones: weekends spent exploring new food spots, sharing ice cream, window shopping, and talking about everything and nothing at all. “Weekends were our time,” she reflects. “It was our downtime to create memories.” Those ordinary moments are the ones she misses most. Grief shaped Ariella in ways she continues to understand. It also informs how she shows up for the children she serves.

“One thing I’ve learned working with children is to never say, ‘I know how you feel,’” Ariella shares. “I can understand, but we can never truly know exactly how someone feels in that moment. I do know what it feels like to wish you had another chance—another moment to say the things you didn’t get to say.” That insight—compassionate, honest, and developmentally aware—is what makes her such a powerful presence in the group.

Now a double major in Human Development and Family Science and Psychology, Ariella is pursuing a path toward becoming a school counselor. Growing up in a low-income community with a single parent and later experiencing a sudden death sparked her interest in understanding how environmental and life factors shape young people.

“My mom’s death made me interested in school psychology and becoming a school counselor,” she says. “It made me realize how real and unpredictable death is. You never know when it will happen. I know my mom would want me to live fully, and I’m grateful to have family and friends supporting me.” Throughout her academic journey, Ariella has connected with peers who have also experienced death. She encourages others to have hard conversations with loved ones while they can — to say what matters now.

This spring, Ariella deepened her commitment to Tu Nidito by stepping into an internship role. In addition to facilitating groups, she helps prepare materials and spaces for support nights, represented Tu Nidito at the University of Arizona Pre-Health Fair, and works behind the scenes to ensure families feel welcomed and cared for during our group nights. One of the most meaningful experiences for her is Tu Nidito’s annual Día de los Muertos gathering.

Each October, families come together to honor their loved ones — sharing favorite foods, telling stories, and remembering publicly. Ariella chose to share about her mother during the celebration. Afterward, several families approached her to express gratitude for her openness. “It meant so much,” she recalls. “To be able to speak about my mom — and to know it connected with the participants.”

Outside of Tu Nidito, Ariella still finds a connection to her mother in small rituals. She loves putting together puzzles — an activity they once enjoyed together — and now shares that tradition with her four-year-old cousin. She cherishes time with her boyfriend, and she’s endlessly curious about true crime, pop culture, and politics — especially where those worlds intersect. While balancing her volunteer commitment with two jobs at the University of Arizona, she remains consistently present, engaged, curious and always smiling.

Ariella often says that her mom’s death taught her how temporary life can be. That awareness fuels the way she shows up — present, intentional, and compassionate. With her bright smile, thoughtful spirit, and deep empathy, Ariella embodies the heart of Tu Nidito: turning personal grief into connection and support for others.

Motivated by that simple realization, Nelson applied to become a volunteer at Tu Nidito. What began as a desire to help soon grew into a long-term commitment. He started facilitating multiple support group nights, learning alongside families and fellow facilitators, the power of simply showing up and being present.

Now, in 2026, Nelson co-facilitates the Wednesday Group 1 teen group. His connection to the teens is deeply personal. His father died after a three-year cancer battle, and Nelson knows firsthand what it feels like without a parent present for life’s milestones. That lived experience allows him to relate to the teens with authenticity and empathy.

“I feel that I can help the teens along and help them feel like they aren’t the only ones who are going through it,” said Daou. “Someone who has an idea of what they’re feeling.”

Outside of Tu Nidito, Nelson is a mathematician who often rides his bike to work. He is a husband and father of two middle schoolers and values time spent with his family. Together, they enjoy community traditions such as Winterhaven, ZooLights, and holiday gatherings—moments that highlight the importance of connection and shared experiences.

Through his years of volunteering, Nelson has seen the impact of Tu Nidito’s support groups again and again. He shared that while we can’t ease the pain of grief, having a safe space where individuals feel heard, seen, and supported is vital to the healing journey. Those small moments of connection can make a lasting difference.

When asked what advice he would offer to new facilitators, Nelson keeps it simple: listen. He emphasizes that silence is not something to fear and that children should never be pressured to share before they are ready. Time, patience, and presence, he believes, are the most meaningful tools.

Nelson describes Tu Nidito as a special place where the community comes together to support every family that walks through its doors.

“I get as much out of it as families do,” said Daou. “My greatest advice for new facilitators is to just be there and listen. There are no magic words—just sit beside someone.”

We are honored to share the inspiring story of a Tu Nidito teen whose journey has come full circle—from a grieving child seeking support, to a dedicated volunteer facilitator, to a proud fundraiser riding for Tu Nidito through our Ride for a Child campaign as a part of the 42nd annual El Tour De Tucson. Her strength, generosity, and commitment to helping others shine brightly, and we’re grateful to celebrate her story with our community.

Finding Tu Nidito at Nine Years Old

At just nine years old, Kyla Kolomichuk and her brother came to Tu Nidito after the heartbreaking death of their little sister, who died of cancer. Their family joined Tu Nidito’s support group program for children who have a sibling with a serious medical condition, where they found understanding, connection, and a place where their grief was welcomed.

She remembers the relief of having a space where talking about her sister was encouraged. “There were definitely a lot of times I felt like people didn’t want me to talk about my loss or wanted me to keep it to myself,” she shared. “But Tu Nidito was a safe space where my brother and I could grieve and do crafts that helped us process our emotions.” She recalls spending hours in the Imagination Room playing out pretend hospital scenarios—a powerful part of her emotional processing at the time.

Coming Back as a Volunteer Facilitator

Now 16 and attending Tanque Verde High School, Kyla’s returned to Tu Nidito—this time as a Littles facilitator. A close friend, Ella, who also attended Tu Nidito as a child, encouraged her to volunteer.

“I realized that going back to help out was an opportunity, and I immediately signed up,” she said.

Volunteering hasn’t always been easy. “My personal experience has made it difficult because these kids have been through so much, and it’s hard knowing that other people are going through something like what I did,” she explained honestly. “Though I think it helps me connect with them.”

Even though she’s new to facilitating, she already knows what means the most: “Right now, the most meaningful part is knowing that there is even the chance that I could make any kid feel less alone in the world.”

Riding for a Child: Giving Back Through El Tour de Tucson

This year, she added fundraiser to her growing list of roles by participating in Ride for a Child during El Tour de Tucson. Though she’s raced El Tour many times, this was her first time riding to support Tu Nidito.

“I stumbled across the opportunity to ride in support of an organization I care a lot about,” she shared. “It was honestly so much fun raising money for Ride for a Child, and I’m really glad I did it.”

She completed the 34-mile ride alongside a close friend—no intense training, just trust, experience, and the joy of riding for a meaningful cause. “Participating in El Tour as part of my connection to Tu Nidito was really meaningful. It felt like a wonderful way to continue giving back and honoring my sister.”

Why Ride for a Child Matters

Her message to the community is simple and powerful:

“Tu Nidito ensures that no one has to grieve alone, and that every person’s pain doesn’t have to be carried by themself. This mission is so important for everyone who has experienced loss, and Ride for a Child keeps Tu Nidito able to do these things.”

A Full-Circle Journey

Reflecting on her journey—from a grieving child to a compassionate helper—she says:

“When I first joined Tu Nidito, I was nine years old and in need of support. Now I get the opportunity to be the person who supports those kids in need of help. It’s magical to know that I could be a part of anything even remotely close to helping someone grieving alone. Fundraising felt so good—to give back and honor my sister.”

We are incredibly proud of her, grateful for her service, and honored to walk alongside her as she continues to transform her grief into healing—for herself and for others.

This year, we’re offering space, compassion, and tools to help you navigate the holiday season in a way that supports you and your family. We invite you to join us for our virtual Lunch & Learn, led by Tu Nidito Program Director, Amanda Marks, MSW. Amanda will share how to move through this season with intention, honesty, and care.

We hope you’ll join us on Thursday, December 11, from 12–1 PM for our virtual Lunch & Learn. Amanda Marks will offer deeper insight into:

• What you can do this holiday season
• How to take care of yourself while caring for others
• Meaningful ways to honor your person

Together, we can create space for honesty, healing, and gentle hope.

Date: Thursday, December 11
Time: 12–1 PM
Location: Virtual
Register: Scan the QR code on the flyer or register with the link: https://bit.ly/3JLgtIo

You are not alone this holiday season—Tu Nidito is here to walk beside you.