Paso del Norte Health Foundation Awards $31,094 Grant to El Paso Children’s Hospital Foundation for Pioneering Type 1 Diabetes Initiative

August 4, 2025

The El Paso Children’s Hospital Foundation is proud to announce it has been awarded a $31,094 grant from the  Paso del Norte Health Foundation to launch a groundbreaking initiative aimed at improving early detection and  outcomes for children at risk of autoimmune type 1 diabetes (T1D). 

Running from September 2025 through August 2026, the T1D Early Impact Initiative, developed in partnership  with El Paso Children’s Hospital, will advance pediatric health equity by: 

Increasing access to early risk screening for T1D 

Providing interdisciplinary care coordination and family education 

Reducing the incidence of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at the time of diagnosis 

Monitoring outcomes, including metabolic control, disease progression, and hospitalization rates 

“This vital investment marks a pivotal step toward strengthening early intervention systems across our region,” said  Abigail Tarango, Ph.D., Executive Director, El Paso Children’s Hospital Foundation. “By identifying at-risk  children sooner, we can empower families with critical knowledge, prevent complications, and promote lifelong  health.” 

Delaying the onset of type 1 diabetes (T1D) in children offers critical health advantages. Early intervention can  prevent episodes of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), protect brain development, and reduce long-term complications  such as cardiovascular disease. Delaying progression allows more opportunities for education, screening, and access  to emerging therapies—ultimately improving lifelong outcomes.

El Paso Children’s Hospital Foundation  

News Release, July 16, 2025 Page 1 of 2 

El Paso Children’s Hospital Foundation is deeply grateful to the Paso del Norte Health Foundation for supporting  innovative, community-driven strategies that improve the lives of children across the El Paso region. For more  information, please contact Alex Simental at 915-422-4861 or via email at Alexandro.Simental@umcelpaso.org.  

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About El Paso Children’s Hospital Foundation  

El Paso Children’s Hospital Foundation (EPCHF) is the official 501(c)(3) nonprofit partner of El Paso Children’s  Hospital and a proud affiliate of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Dedicated to advancing pediatric health  and wellness across the Borderplex region, EPCHF mobilizes philanthropic support to fund lifesaving care,  innovative programs, and family-centered services that ensure every child has access to the highest quality medical  treatment—regardless of their ability to pay. 

Through strategic partnerships, community engagement, and donor stewardship, the Foundation champions health  equity and empowers families during their most vulnerable moments. Whether supporting cutting-edge equipment,  compassionate care initiatives, or emergency assistance programs, EPCHF remains committed to building a  healthier future for all children in El Paso and beyond. To learn more about the El Paso Children’s Hospital 

Foundation, contact Alex Simental, 915-915-422-4861. 

About El Paso Children’s Hospital 

EPCH is the only independently licensed non-profit pediatric specialty hospital in the region dedicated exclusively  to the provision of high-quality medical care for the children of El Paso, Texas and the surrounding area. EPCH is  one of only 250 hospitals in the country that specialize in pediatrics, and one of eight members of the Children’s  Hospital Association of Texas.  

About Paso del Norte Health Foundation 

The Paso del Norte Health Foundation (Health Foundation) leads, leverages and invests in initiatives, programs and  policies to promote health and prevent disease in the Paso del Norte region. The Health Foundation was established  in 1995 from the sale of Providence Memorial Hospital to Tenet Healthcare Corporation and seeks to ensure that  the people living in far west Texas, southern New Mexico and Ciudad Juárez, Mexico have the knowledge,  resources and skills to lead healthy lives. The Paso del Norte Health Foundation is a supporting organization of the  Paso del Norte Community Foundation. For more information, visit www.pdnhf.org.