The Foundation for Anoxic Injury Recovery (FAIR)

No one expects their life to change in an instant. But when it does, you shouldn’t have to face it alone. At The Foundation for Anoxic Injury Recovery (FAIR), we stand beside families navigating the unimaginable while working to prevent childhood drownings before they happen. Healing is a journey, not a destination—and no family should have to do it alone. Whether you're seeking resources, connection, or just a little hope, you've found a community that cares. Together, we heal.

Our Mission

At The Foundation for Anoxic Injury Recovery (FAIR), we believe that no family should have to navigate the devastating journey of an anoxic brain injury alone. Our mission is to provide compassionate support, research-backed resources, and education on innovative therapies that help children and their families heal, adapt, and find hope.

Through alternative therapy education, caregiver mental health resources, hospital partnerships, and drowning prevention initiatives, we empower families with knowledge, community, and guidance to navigate recovery. While we do not provide direct therapy services, we connect families with information and support networks that can help them explore treatment options.

Whether you are seeking guidance on recovery, emotional support, or prevention education, FAIR is here to walk with you—every step of the way.

We exist because healing is not just for the child—it is for the entire family. You are not alone. Together, we heal

Our Story

One moment, our 1.5-year-old daughter, Harper, was full of life. The next, she was fighting for it. After a non-fatal drowning, she suffered an anoxic brain injury, and our world changed forever. We weren’t just fighting for her—we were fighting for ourselves, our family, our marriage, and our future. We had three older children who still needed us, a home to hold together, jobs that didn’t stop, and a grief so heavy it threatened to consume everything. The weight of trauma was overwhelming, and we quickly saw how easily families fall apart under the strain of caregiving, uncertainty, and loss.

But we refused to simply survive. We didn’t want to drown in grief—we wanted to find a way to thrive. That’s why we created the Foundation for Anoxic Injury Recovery (FAIR). While every family’s journey is different, we saw firsthand how critical it is to have guidance, community, and hope. We know how isolating this road can be, and we don’t want any family to walk it alone. FAIR exists to bridge the gap between medical recovery and real-life resilience, providing families with education on alternative therapies, caregiver mental health resources, and drowning prevention initiatives.

Because healing isn’t just for the child—it’s for the entire family. If you’re searching for guidance, encouragement, or a community that understands, FAIR is here to walk this journey with you.

Meet the Team

  • Cheryl Candelaria

    Founder & President

  • Jeremiah Candelaria

    Secretary

  • Matt Lepire

    Chief Financial Officer

  • Tearney Sanders

    Chief Medical Liaison

  • Harper Candelaria

    The Heart of FAIR