I am riding for Tu Nidito Children and Family Services because the organization is on a mission to create a community of acceptance and understanding for those grieving a serious medical condition or death. The vision is, No Child Grieves Alone. Tu Nidito understands that grief impacts the entire family, including, children, teens, young adults and caregivers, which is why support programs are provided to eveyone in the family. Tu Nidito's doors are open free of charge for anyone who needs support for as long as they need it. And our financial support helps them continue this vital free service.

I am riding for both professional and personal reasons. Professionally, as a pediatrician for the past 34 years, I have seen how much children and families need somewhere to go to help them process the loss of a loved one. And personally, when I was 10 years old, I experienced just such a loss when my older brother died of leukemia. I wish there had been an organization like Tu Nidito way back then when I needed it. I am glad that our community has Tu Nidito now.

When I was first introduced to Tu Nidito over twenty years ago, it seemed that most children and families were grieving the loss of a loved one to cancer or other serious illness. More recently, with changes in our society, it seems that more and more families are grieving the loss of a loved one to drugs, violence, or suicide. 

I am riding for children like Ryder, who is being raised by his grandmother Jodi because his Dad, a purple heart veteran, completed suicide after returning from 4 tours of service. Jodi shared that Tu Nidito is a godsend for her family. Ryder has come so far in his understanding of grief. Jodi has better skills to help Ryder process his grief, and together they are on a journey to integrate the death into their lives.

That is why I ride! Please come with me and join me on this journey as I Ride for a Child in El Tour de Tucson for the 10th straight year! I would love to have you along for the ride! Any donation, of any amount, is greatly appreciated. And I will match the first $1,000 in donations, so your donation will be doubled!

Thank you! And I'll see you on the road!

Keith Dveirin, MD

Tu Nidito Children and Family Services in on a mission to create a community of acceptance and understanding for those grieving a serious medical condition or death of a special person. We walk along side those who grieve, children, teens, young adults and caregivers on their grief journey. Meeting them where they are as no one's grief journey is the same. We provide one to one support from professionals support specialists as well as group support faciliated by highly trained volunteers. We do this work in English and Spanish free of charge.

Tu Nidito's programs are free but not without cost that is why Tu Nidito is honored to join our non-profit community as a beneficiary of the 40th El Tour de Tucson. Tu Nidito was an orginal primary beneficiary of El Tour and the partnership we forged propel both organizations forward. 

Our vision for our community is that "No Child Grieves Alone". That is why we are asking YOU, to Ride for a Tu Nidito Child, together we will meet the needs of our greiving community, which are greater now than ever as we experience the ripple impact of the pandemic and increase in traumatic death from suicide. violence, overdose and accidentents coupled with death related to serious medical conditions and aging. 

The mission of Tu Nidito is to create a community of acceptance and understanding for those grieving a serious medical condition or death.

Tu Nidito has become our community’s trusted experts on grief. For over 25 years, southern Arizona has depended on Tu Nidito’s compassionate grief support programs and resources to guide us on our grief journey. Grief is embedded in our experiences and part of everyday life, yet we shy away from talking about it. We do not readily acknowledge grief, we do not listen deeply to one’s grief, we do not let others be in their pain. We want to fix their grief, telling them it will pass, they must be strong. Grieving people do not want advice and they cannot be fixed. They need to be heard, we need to join them on their journey and let them be in their pain. We need to get comfortable being uncomfortable sharing grief.

Tu Nidito recognizes that a child’s response to a serious medical diagnosis or death is different from an adults. Therefore, programs focus on the unique needs of children. However, grief professionals on staff also understand that grief impacts the entire family; a child’s siblings, caregivers and family members need unique support of their own. Tu Nidito’s support programs are offered through one-on-one and group meetings, as well as through professional workshops and interventions for:

·         Children, ages 3 ½- 18, and their families grieving the death of a loved one.

·         Children, ages birth-18, who are diagnosed with a serious medical condition and their families.

·         Children, ages 3 ½- 18, who have a parent diagnosed with a serious medical condition and their families.

·         Young adults, ages 18-39, who are grieving the death of a loved one.

·         School staff and community agencies to ensure adults are equipped with the skills and knowledge to support grieving youth.

• anonymous donated $1,000.00 October 17, 2023
• Keith Dveirin donated $500.00 October 10, 2023
• Michelle Langan donated $150.00 November 17, 2023
• Susan Goode donated $100.00 November 17, 2023
• Sean "BugMan" Elliott donated $100.00 November 15, 2023 ... "Have a great ride, Keith, and thank you so much for doing this!"
• Brenda and Steve Landau donated $100.00 November 14, 2023
• Brant and Nina dveirin donated $100.00 November 13, 2023 ... "Ride keith ride"
• The Zuckerman Family donated $100.00 November 13, 2023
• Robert & Julia Chorost donated $100.00 November 11, 2023 ... "Ride fast! "
• Dan Bucholtz donated $100.00 November 11, 2023 ... "Enjoy the day. Ride strong and don’t waste energy braking"
• Randie and Shelby Collier donated $100.00 November 11, 2023 ... "Have a fun and safe ride!!"
• The Silvyns donated $100.00 November 11, 2023 ... "Have a great and safe ride. "
• The Greens donated $50.00 November 19, 2023 ... "Way to go, KD"
• Nina Isaac donated $50.00 November 17, 2023
• Ed Baruch donated $50.00 November 13, 2023 ... "Have a safe ride!"
• Ari Jesselson donated $50.00 November 12, 2023 ... "Thank you for making a difference!"
• Fred donated $50.00 November 11, 2023
• Matt and Eliza Holland donated $50.00 November 11, 2023 ... "Have a great ride!"
• CVP donated $50.00 November 11, 2023
• John Will donated $25.00 November 13, 2023