My name is Jeff Saenz, some call me Baby Snakes. On June 1, 2021, while putting my daughter to bed after a great day work, the power abruptly went out. As my partner went searching for flashlights, I lit candles throughout the house. At some point, I ventured out the front door of our East Dallas home in order to assess the extent of the blackout. It was a beautiful night, but blacker than pitch without the moon in the sky. As I approached the sidewalk in front of our home, never leaving our front yard, I came into contact with a fallen high voltage power line. Roughly 7876 volts. I awoke two weeks later in Parkland Hospitals Burn ICU, having already had my left hand amputated. My right arm would be amputated about a month later. My torso covered in skin grafts, and my physical energy depleted, but my spirit never broken.

Fast forward to the one year anniversary of this fateful night. How would I spend it? Alone and sulking in grief? No. This night is what I decide it is, and I want to play (sing) rock n’ roll music with my best friends in a room packed with friendly faces having the time of their lives.

The first two years were purely a reclamation of something I needed to have ownership over. That date. That tragedy. But by year three, it was apparent that I no longer needed this for myself. The event had proven successful, so what could I do with it now? Who needs this more than I do? I quickly recalled the children I would hear through the halls of the Burn ICU late at night. Seeing them through their doorways as I was wheeled from surgery to surgery. It affected me deeply.

To learn that Parkland Hospital had a camp for one week each summer, coincidentally coinciding with the anniversary of my life changing event, seemed to be a sign from above. I had the honor of visiting Camp I-Thonka-Chi for the first time this year, and what I witnessed was absolute beauty.

I am beyond proud to do whatever I can to help bring the best possible experience to these brave kids, and I hope you choose to give a little to help them as well. No donation is too small, every penny appreciated.

With nothing but love & gratitude,

Jeff

Parkland Health Foundation

Parkland Health Foundation is dedicated to securing substantial financial resources that advance the capital, clinical, educational and research goals of Parkland Health (Parkland), the safety net health system for Dallas County, TX. Founded in 1894, Parkland's mission is to advance wellness, relieve suffering, develop and educate. Our vision is to advance health equity through excellence as a public health system. We are dedicated to ensuring that all of our community has a medical home for a continuum of care from birth to end of life.

Every contribution, big or small, makes a real impact. Even just a few dollars can help move this mission forward and reach those who need it most.

If you can’t donate right now, sharing this fundraiser is also incredibly helpful. Thank you so much for your kindness and generosity. It means the world to me.