Press Release

Columbian School Students To Deliver Get-Well Card

September 4, 2001

"The really special thing about Natalie is that up until very recently she was coming to school because she wanted to. Natalie was insistent about coming. She hung in there until she couldn't really come anymore," says Columbian Elementary School social worker Frances Torres.

Torres is just one of many, including all of Natalie Cardenas' classmates, who have been touched by the kind-hearted student. Natalie has incurable bone cancer.

Fifth-grader Natalie Cardenas is at home now, too ill to attend classes. Excellent school attendance has been one of the hallmarks of Cardenas' school career.

This morning at 10:30 a.m. (Tuesday, September 4,) Columbian principal Mary Ann Baca, Torres, and a delegation of students will deliver a get-well card from the school to Natalie. (Natalie lives with her parents, Marleni and Luis Cardenas at 2801 W. 34th Ave. in northwest Denver.)

"Natalie always tried hard," said principal Baca. Natalie has been a student at Columbian since she was a kindergartener. "I never heard her say a mean thing to anybody and students in her class were caring toward her because she was so caring. She always had such a positive attitude about everything."

A trust fund to help Natalie's family has been set up at a neighborhood bank. Those wishing to donate to help Natalie's family may send a check, made payable to Natalie Cardenas Benefit Fund, U.S. Bank/North Denver Office, 3400 W. 38th Ave, Denver, CO 80211.

"All of her classmates will tell you that she is a lot of fun because she likes to play games," said Torres.

Principal Baca said she has used the district's crisis team to begin to prepare students at the school for Natalie's passing.

"We all have to stop and realize how precious each one of these children are to us," said Baca.