NEW MEXICO
UNM Children's Hospital balloon takes hope to the sky
Rainbow Ryders and UNM Children's Hospital have unveiled Hope Rising, a hot air balloon that will debut at the 2026 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.
Hope is taking flight in New Mexico.
Rainbow Ryders on Tuesday debuted a new hot air balloon 鈥� a collaboration that will take University of New Mexico Children's Hospital's name to the sky.
鈥淭his balloon becomes more than a beautiful addition to our New Mexico skies; it becomes a symbol of reliance, compassion, partnership and, above all, hope,鈥� said Anna Duran, the interim chief medical officer of UNM Hospital.
The balloon is named Hope Rising and features the school's signature colors of cherry, silver and turquoise.
鈥淭he name of this balloon is especially fitting. Every day inside UNM Children's Hospital, hope rises in countless ways,鈥� Duran said.
Lindsay Mayer, the director of operations for Rainbow Ryders, saidt she wants the newest addition to the Rainbow Ryders fleet to make a direct impact on kids.
鈥淚 really hope that these kids can see this flying and know that it was built for them, and they can point it out in the sky and say, 鈥楾hat is my balloon,鈥欌�� Mayer said.
Hope Rising is a Cameron A-300, a large-capacity, commercial hot air balloon. It is capable of carrying up to 14 people per flight.
鈥淗ot air balloons have a way of bringing people together. They remind us to pause, look up, and appreciate something bigger than ourselves. For the children and families that we care for every day, hope often begins in the same way,鈥� Duran said.
Hope Rising and Rainbow Riders' other collaboration with UNM, Cherry on Top, will fly in the International Balloon Fiesta, Oct. 3-11.
鈥淢ay Hope Rising remind us that no matter how difficult the journey, there is always reason to look up,鈥� Duran said.
Isabella Campbell is an intern with the New Mexico Local 近距离内射合集 Fellowships and Internships Program, which places emerging journalists in newsrooms across New Mexico. Learn more at . She can be reached at icampbell@abqjournal.com.
