Kevin Mendoza, Age 4
NEW MEXICO
UNM Children's Hospital
E. Coli, Kidney Disease
It's hard to believe when you look at the big blue eyes and happy dimples of Kevin Mendoza of Los Lunas, N.M., that this energetic 4-year-old's body was totally overtaken by deadly toxins just three years ago.
What started out as a typical childhood fever and diarrhea turned out to be a life-threatening E. Coli infection. E. Coli is scary enough on its own, but Kevin's case progressed into an even more dangerous disease called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Toxins began attacking Kevin's organs starting with the kidney and on from there. The night before his 2nd birthday, and several weeks after he entered the hospital, Kevin finally opened his eyes and began the long recovery back to health.
Unfortunately, HUS took a major toll on Kevin's kidneys and he now suffers from chronic kidney disease. But Kevin doesn't let that stop him from living his life to the absolute fullest. He loves to play outside and ride his bike, and he especially loves to play superheroes. To Kevin and his family, the true superheroes of his life have been the doctors, nurses and caregivers at UNM Children's Hospital who helped save his life and provided a bright future.
