CNN Names Kiko Trujillo 2026 Hero Finalist
Trujillo, who co-founded ARSOBO in Nogales, Sonora, is among five finalists recognized in CNN's annual Heroes program.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Philanthropy
Live Poll
Should more public funding go toward disability devices and therapy in border communities?
CNN has named Francisco 'Kiko' Trujillo, an industrial engineer from Nogales, Sonora, a 2026 CNN Heroes finalist for his work through Arizona Sonora Border Projects for Inclusion (ARSOBO). Voting for CNN Hero of the Year is open at CNN.com/Heroes and runs through Nov. 29.
Why it matters
ARSOBO provides assistive devices and rehabilitation services to people across the border region, and the recognition spotlights community-based disability care. Each finalist receives $10,000, and the eventual winner receives an additional $100,000 to continue their work.
ARSOBO reports more than 900 prosthetic and orthotic devices and 740 hearing aids provided, alongside physical therapy for over 140 patients since 2014, according to figures cited in the nomination. The organization's final impact beyond these reported totals has not been independently measured in the source material.
The players
Francisco 'Kiko' Trujillo
Trujillo is an industrial engineer born and raised in Nogales, Sonora, who co-founded ARSOBO to deliver assistive devices and rehabilitation to people in the border region.
Arizona Sonora Border Projects for Inclusion (ARSOBO)
ARSOBO is a nonprofit organization that provides prosthetics, orthotics, hearing aids, and physical therapy in the Arizona-Sonora border region and employs persons with disabilities.
CNN Heroes
CNN Heroes is an annual CNN program that recognizes everyday people making a difference in their communities, with a $10,000 prize for each finalist and $100,000 for the winner.
The details
Susan Scott of the Border Community Alliance nominated ARSOBO in March 2024. Trujillo was selected as a finalist following a screening process and a two-day CNN film shoot in Nogales, and local production there has shortened prosthetic delivery times from about two months to three or four days.
Timeline
March 2024: Susan Scott nominates ARSOBO for CNN Heroes.
Nov. 29: Voting for CNN Hero of the Year closes.
Dec. 5, 6 p.m. Arizona time: CNN Hero of the Year is announced during 'CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute.'
Roadmap
CNN Heroes has long spotlighted grassroots humanitarian work, and ARSOBO's cross-border model in Nogales fits that pattern of recognizing local organizations that deliver services where formal systems fall short. The finalist format, with $10,000 awards and a $100,000 winner prize, is designed to extend the reach of projects already operating in their communities.
Readers can vote for their favorite CNN Hero at CNN.com/Heroes through Nov. 29, with up to 10 votes per voter per day. Voting directly determines which honoree receives the $100,000 winner prize, so participation is the one concrete action available to the public.
The takeaway
Community-based disability services like ARSOBO's can scale quickly when local production cuts delivery times from months to days. Public votes through Nov. 29 are a direct way to support that work.
What happens next
CNN Hero of the Year voting closes Nov. 29, and the winner will be announced during 'CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute' on Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. Arizona time.
Further reading
Explore more on Philanthropy and how charitable recognition programs spotlight community-led solutions.
More information
Vote for the CNN Hero of the Year at CNN.com/Heroes.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Nogales International.
Live Poll
Should more public funding go toward disability devices and therapy in border communities?
