Denise Sanchez, an 8-year-old girl from Santa Fe, New Mexico, had been a huge Elvis Presley fan since she was four. After the Christmas holiday in 1971, Denise was diagnosed with cancer. She had to have her leg and part of her hip amputated when a large tumor was detected. A very short while later, the cancer spread to her lungs. Her doctors stopped the chemotherapy treatments she had been undergoing, stating that there was no more they could do for her.

Several months later, Denise's mother, Trudi, found out that Elvis was performing in Albuquerque on April 19, 1972. Mrs. Sanchez was able to get two tickets to the show. Her daughter was thrilled. As the day of the concert neared, Denise suffered a relapse and was given the devastating news that she was too sick to travel the 65 miles to see Elvis. The young girl cried for several days and begged her mother to take her to the show. She wanted to see Elvis in person before she died. Finally, her mother and her doctor agreed to let her go to the performance.

Two days before the show, Mrs. Sanchez was advised to go to the newspapers and have them print a story on Denise. Trudi went to the Albuquerque Journal and spoke with a reporter named Grace Marie Prather. Prather helped Trudi and Denise set up a meeting with Colonel Parker in the early afternoon on the day of the show. They spoke to Parker at length about Denise's condition and her wish to see Elvis. Parker told the women that they should come to the Hilton Hotel at 4 PM and he would see what he could do. Trudi brought her daughters, Denise and Paula, and her two best friends, Emma and Belinda Cantu, to the hotel at the appointed time. Prather also went along to document the meeting. The Colonel instructed them to come to the show at 5 PM. Denese could meet Elvis after the concert.

The entire clan drove to the Tingley Coliseum and were seated in special box seats. Denise fidgeted throughout the entire show, anxious for the performance to end so that she could meet her idol. During intermission, the Sanchez party was invited backstage to Elvis' dressing room. Denise was scared, fearing Elvis' reaction to her missing leg and hip and to her bald head. Elvis took one look at the child and knelt down in front of her, kissing both her cheeks. He told Denise that she was beautiful. Trudi started crying. She could not believe how loving Elvis was to her daughter and saw how happy and alive he made her feel. Denise shyly unrolled a poster of the King and asked him to autograph it. Elvis signed it: "To Denise - Love You, Elvis Presley". Denise then asked him to sing her a song once he went back onstage. As the second part of the concert began, Elvis dedicated the first song, "You Gave Me A Mountain", to Denise. He explained to the audience, "This song is for a very special little girl I just met backstage - Denise". Denise was thrilled and cried through the entire song.

When Denise got back home she told her mother that under no circumstances was she going to clean her face and wash off Elvis' kisses. Three days later, Denise had still not washed her face. On the fourth day, her mother finally forced her to clean her face. Elvis made little Denise's short life a happier one. His love for her helped her to feel better and eased her discomfort.

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