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COMMUNITY
GILBERT SUN NEWS | JULY 4, 2021
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FirstBank and Suns surprise Gilbert mom, son GSN NEWS STAFF
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irstBank and the Phoenix Suns teamed up last week to bring a little joy to the family of a 9-year-old Gilbert boy battling cancer. Employees at the Gilbert branch of FirstBank, one of the nation’s largest privately held banks with a focus on “banking for good,” surprised Jessica Hunter, a mother of three whose 9-year-old son Tayden has undergone three abdominal surgeries. Tayden is a big Suns fan and accompanied his mom to the FirstBank branch, where they were greeted with a personalized video from Suns’ forward Cameron Johnson. “Jessica, we know how much you do for your family, and Tayden, we know you’ve gone through a lot these past few years,” Johnson said in the message. “You’re a brave little man. So, we decided to get together and do something extra special for you.” They received a basketball signed by Cameron Johnson and a Suns jersey signed by Devin Booker. FirstBank also supplied a $1,000 gro-
FirstBank employee Natalie Plante, left, presented Gilbert mom Jessica Hunter with a check to cover some of the expenses that the mother of three has been dealing with as her 9-year-old son Tayden battles cancer. (Courtesy FirstBank) cery store voucher for food and prescriptions, $200 towards meal delivery services, and a $2,000 check for medical expenses. Because Tayden has been unable to
play basketball, his favorite sport, as he recovers, he was given an Xbox and basketball video game to play at home. “It was hard to fight back the tears when seeing Jessica’s reaction. To say
The award earned by Sawyer is given to “local champions who actively volunteer their time to raise public awareness of the importance of early childhood development and health,” a First Things First spokeswoman said. “Champions spend a significant amount of time volunteering with Arizona’s early childhood agency, First Things First and building public awareness about the importance of early childhood issues.” Sawyer is a neonatal intensive care unit developmental specialist nurse at Banner Children’s at Desert in Mesa and Banner Gateway Medical Center in Gilbert.
She helps parents with babies in the NICU understand the importance of early childhood development and health and engaging with their babies by reading and interacting with them. “I feel that early childhood development and health both mentally and physically is of utmost importance because it is the foundation for who a child can become later in life,” Sawyer said. “In my training as a nurse and as a developmental specialist, I learned that early experience influences later behaviors physically and mentally.” She said parents often “are shocked to
we’re happy we could provide some relief to her family is an understatement; we’re thrilled,” said Natalie Plante, an employee at FirstBank’s Gilbert location. “It’s humbling to work for an organization that cares so deeply about its customers, and if there’s one customer you want to make a positive imprint on, it’s Jessica,” Plante continued. “It’s hard to fathom what she’s going through, but we know she’s doing everything in her power to give Tayden the medical care and love he deserves. Hopefully this surprise put a smile on his face as much as it did hers.” Joel Johnson, East Valley market president at FirstBank, said he was moved by “Jessica and Tayden’s story of persevering through these challenges.” “This is the least we could do to help ease their burdens,” he said. “As the official bank of the Phoenix Suns, we are proud to partner with them to show this deserving family some support.” FirstBank and the Suns teamed up to promote Arizona Gives Day by surprising dozens of families across Phoenix by paying for their groceries.
Gilbert woman called young kids’ champion GSN NEWS STAFF
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irst Things First has recognized Mary Ann Sawyer of Gilbert as the 2021 First Things First Southeast Maricopa Region Champion for Young Children. As Arizona’s early childhood agency, First Things First funds early learning, family support and children’s preventive health services to help kids be successful once they enter kindergarten. Decisions about how those funds are spent are made by local councils staffed by community members.
learn that 90 percent of a child’s brain growth happens in the first five years. When we as community members teach parents of newborn babies you are your baby’s first teacher, talk to her, sing to her, hold her, read to her and enjoy her,’ we empower them.” Sawyer talks with families during the Newborn Intensive Care Program and at the Special Care Nursery Family Support Group. In the latter, she discusses the importance of early childhood and shares with
see CHAMPION page 19
