Aloha - Ronald McDonald House Hawaii

From Our House to Yourswww.RonaldHouseHawaii.org

Newsletter of Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Hawaii Vol. XVI, Issue 2, August 2016

Wish ListGift CardsRestaurantsStores/MarketsGasoline gift cardsFamily activitiesMovie tickets

Household ItemsZiploc Bags (Gallon/Quart size)Garbage bags (yard & kitchen)Dishwasher-safe plastic cupsPaper towel rolls

Food ItemsFresh fruits & vegetablesFrozen single-serving meals(microwavable)

Frozen pizzaIndividually wrapped snacksFrozen Hot Pockets

MiscellaneousForever postage stampsOffice suppliesFitted white sheets – full/twinWhite shower curtain linersWhite photo-copy paper(letter & legal size)

Aloha

Over in Hilo, results from TraceySilva’s “quad screen” were abnormal,and she was sent to Kapiolani MedicalCenter for Women & Children inHonolulu to see a specialist. Thatparticular blood test, taken in thesecond trimester of pregnancy,screens for Down syndrome, spinabifida, and other chromosomal andneurological conditions.Tracey explained what happened next.“During an ultra-sound that the doctorwas giving me,he said thebaby lookedfine…but thatthere wassomething goingon that wasn’tright. It turnedout that I hada very rarecondition calleda vasa praevia.”Vasa praevia isa very scaryand serious condition. “Essentially it’sa time bomb with a 95% mortality ratefor the baby, if undetected,” Traceysaid. “There was nothing we could dobut wait and hope.”In Tracey’s words: “The plan was toreturn to Kapiolani around my 30thweek and wait until 34 weeks for a C-section. At 29 weeks they sent meback over for an assessment. Right inthe middle of my ultra sound they toldme I couldn’t leave, that they wereadmitting me immediately, and that Iwas already in labor!Doctors believed that they could delaybirth for another week, so Randyremained in Hilo with Kamryn (their 6-year-old daughter). But the followingday, Tracey’s water broke and babyKody was delivered by emergency C-section. Randy took the first availableflight over but couldn’t get there intime. “I delivered at 10:56 am and

Randy was up there by 2:30 thatafternoon,” recalled Tracey. “Kodyweighed three pounds, three ounces.”Randy spent the first couple of nightswith Tracey and Kody in the hospital,and then returned to Hilo to grabeverything they would need for anextended stay on Oahu.Unfortunately, Randy got sick when hewas there and had to stay at home forthe next week.Eventually, everything smoothed out.

Tracey, Randy,and Kamrynchecked into theJudd HillsideRonald McDonaldHouse, and evenGrandma Kathyjoined them.“Even that firstweek when I wascompletely alone,I wasn’t reallyalone here at the

Ronald McDonald House,” Tracey said.“There was another mom here andeven though she had twins to beconcerned with, she took me under herwing and really showed me everythingI needed to know about this place.Where everything was. How to catchthe shuttle. It was so helpful to havesomeone on my side.”Randy said he also felt comfortablestaying at the Ronald House. “I didn’texpect that this would feel so muchlike home. Everyone here is sogracious. That’s what I will alwaysremember about this place.”After six weeks at the Judd HillsideRonald McDonald House, Tracey,Randy, and Kamryn were able to checkout with their new baby Kody in tow.His original due date had been July 5,but he had passed every milestonewith flying colors down at Kapiolani

Kody bided his time in the Intensive Care Unit,gaining strength.

Kody Couldn’t WaitTracey Silva is a registered nursein the operating room at HiloMedical Center and RandyCaoagdan is a police officer withthe Hawaii Police Department.They spend their lives taking careof others, keeping other peoplesafe. But their lives changedunexpectedly in April when babyKody arrived nearly three monthsearly on Oahu, and they foundthat their family needed the kindof care and support that they havealways given to others.

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Message from our PresidentAloha,In the almost 30 years that Hawaii’s Ronald McDonald House has been helping families withseriously ill children, there has been a group of people whose hard work behind the scenes oftendoesn’t receive the recognition they deserve.Known as the RMHC-HI Board of Directors, it is the governing body that oversees every majorpolicy decision, guides our organization, and provides inspiration and support that is so critical tothe success of the “House That Love Built”. Over the years, more than 150 community leaders haveserved on our Board, dedicating countless hours and contributing thousands of dollars to help themost fragile in our community – Hawaii’s seriously ill children and their families.

Our volunteer Board wears many faces and come from all walks of life – from bankers to retirees, teachers and smallbusiness owners, doctors and entertainers, attorneys and analysts, from both the private and public sector. Eachoffers their own special set of talent and skills, but the common thread that binds them is a compassionate and caringheart. They show it at every meeting, every event, every decision they make, every opportunity they have. Whetherit’s gathering support from the community, directing resources to benefit the families, or navigating RMHC-HI throughprojects and the many rules and regulations governing non-profits, they are involved and passionate, always with thechildren and families’ needs in mind.This summer, as our Board membership and officers are updated, I would like to acknowledge and express our deepestappreciation to three members who will be ending their terms and rotating off our Board. A tip of the hat and a bigMahalo to Diane Sumida, Lawrence Chew and John Cheung who have given so much time and energy during their tenureon the RMHC-HI Board of Directors. They leave the board, but will always be part of our Ohana.Carrying on their tradition of service are our newest team members – Emily Morisada Kuraoka, James Haruki andTommy Silva. Without a doubt, a big reason that Hawaii’s Ronald McDonald House has successfully operated for nearlythree decades has been the dedication and enthusiasm of these caring members of our community. They have been,and continue to be our heroes of the heart.

Jerri Chong

Hospital and nearly doubled in weight, so doctors decidedthat he was ready to fly home to Hilo on June 7. Kodyobviously couldn’t wait to get his life started.How will Tracey recall their stay at Ronald McDonald House?“When I first came here, I was unsure and anxious.” Traceysaid with a smile. “After the first few days, and thengetting to know the House managers, oh, my gosh, they justmade me feelso welcome andrelaxed. Andwhen you getto know theother familiesstaying here,you realizethat they aregoing throughthe same thing.Somehow youknoweverything isgoing to befine.”

Congratulations to Kapiolani Medical Center forWomen & Children (KMCWC) for opening its new$180 million Diamond Head Tower!The five-story 200,000-square-foot building housesan expanded neonatal intensive care unit that is fivetimes larger than the previous NICU. The buildingalso has a pediatric intensive care unit, an adultmedical surgical unit, an outpatient clinic, theRehabilitation Services Department and conferenceand education rooms.Ronald McDonald House Charities of Hawaii worksvery closely with KMCWC to promote family-centered care. Together, we make sure children andtheir families are all involved in the healing process.It has been our joint mission for nearly 30 years.

Heroes Of The Heart

Randy, Tracey, Kody and Kamryn

“Aloha From Our House to Yours”, the newsletter of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Hawaii (RMHC-HI), ispublished three times a year. RMHC-HI, 1970 Judd Hillside Road, Honolulu, HI 96822

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Around the House

The folks from the Microsoft Store Ala MoanaCenter joined us at the Judd Hillside House andprepared dinner for our guest families. When thefamilies returned that evening after a long day atthe hospital, they found a dinner of Herb RoastedChicken, two types of pasta, roasted vegetables,and greens - prepared with love.

Hilo’s Kylyn Rapoza, International Junior Miss HawaiiIsland Teen, visited the Judd Hillside RonaldMcDonald House on June 1 to drop off several giftcards for the kids and families. RMHC-HI’s KanoePaauhau gratefully accepted. Lily Prigent, a Houseguest from Hilo, joined them for the photo.

Our friends from UBER, led by Tommy Pierucki (back,right) came to the Judd Hillside Ronald McDonaldHouse on June 22. The group volunteered all morningto help us prepare a fundraising mailer.

UBER

EMBASSY SUITES CARES!!Ronald McDonald House Hawaii received a trulywonderful contribution from Embassy Suites byHilton Waikiki Beach Walk. They donated hundredsof bath towels, wash cloths and pillow slips! Allthings that families staying at the Ronald McDonaldHouse really, really need. RMHC-HI Guest ServicesManager Kanoe Paauhau had a lot to unload!

Caring and sharing

Helping us again!

MAHALO

KYLYN

Forever O

Keali‘i “Chance” Schoeppner, MauiKeali‘i “Chance” Salvatore Schoeppner was born on April 21,2009. Despite complications, mom Lara had managed to makeit to her 25th week of pregnancy, but Chance weighed just 1lb. 9 oz. “The doctors at the hospital are very caring, but theydidn’t sugar-coat anything,” Dad Darrett recalls. “They told ushis chances were 50-50.”The Wailuku family stayed at the Ronald McDonald House butspent long hours each day by their baby’s side as he fought forhis life in the Intensive Care Unit.He made it! Since then, there has been no stopping theyoungster, who plays sports and takes part in numerous activities, including modeling! Here

he is on the recent cover of Maui Concierge Magazine with his little brother Temana.

Camilo Nuestro, YapIn 2007, Camilo “Bong” Nuestro was hit by acar and critically injured on the island of Yap.Airlifted to Honolulu, he and his mother Lisaresided at the Ronald McDonald House forseveral months as Camilo received treatmentfor his broken bones and other injuries. Hewas so inspired by the medical professionalsthat cared for him here that he chose toattend a medical college in the Philippines andis now a Registered Nurse, helping countlessothers like he was helped in Hawaii.

Kevin Saligumba, KauaiCora and Frankie Saligumba arrived at the Ronald McDonaldHouse in March, 2001 after Cora gave birth to Kevin fourmonths premature. At a very fragile weight of 1 lb. 8 oz., Kevinfaced a long period of hospitalization.The waiting was difficult, as days turned to weeks and weeksinto months with many ups and downs. The family was able tostay together at the Ronald McDonald House during Kevin’sfrustrating series of surgeries and complications with hisvision, breathing and ability to eat (he needed the help of afeeding tube until he was 13).All the patience and care paid off, and after spending his first

2 1/2 years inside the hospital, and overcoming incredible obstacles, he has thrived andfulfilled Cora and Frankie’s dreams. “He is active with St. Theresa Parish Church,” says Cora.“He’s been working part-time through the high school work program and saving his money fora family trip planned for 2020. He wants to explore his roots in the Philippines.”

Kevin is entering hissophomore year in highschool this fall and has alife filled with potential.

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Once a family stays at the Ronald McDonald House, they become lifetime members of the RMHC-HI Ohana. Thatmeans the connection endures, and we are able to follow the progress of many of the children that we have served,even years after their stays. You may remember some of these delightful children from previous newsletters. Theyhave all had difficult journeys, but with the quality treatment and all the support the family has received, thesekids’ futures look bright.

Investing in futures pays big dividends!

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r Ohana

Charlyn Parial, Guam

I never gave up...

...because life is so good!

Leila Clark - Houston, TexasIt happens more than you might think—with nearly 8 millionvisitors coming to Hawaii annually. Sometimes it is a prematurebirth that complicatestheir trips. Or it can beother medicalemergencies that bringout-of-state families toHawaii’s Ronald McDonaldHouse.For the Clark family fromHouston Texas, theirsudden emergency tookthe form of a freakManoa landslide onJune 23, 2013 that senta boulder directly onto7-year-old Leila, andcausing serious injury.Peter and Lena Clark werehiking with Leila and4-year old son Piercewhen the unexpectedhappened. "It really waslike a natural disastermovie," Lena later told KITV News. It all happened fast and Lenacould only watch as a 15-pound boulder slammed into her daughter.It took rescue crews an hour to reach them. Leila had six brokenribs, a collapsed lung, and a deep gash in her back.During Leila’s two-week hospitalization, the Clark family found

refuge at RonaldMcDonald House. "We'reblessed to be where weare right now," said dadPeter while waiting forLeila to get well enough totravel home. “We are sograteful for all thesupport from trail guides,emergency crews, hospitalstaff and the RonaldMcDonald House!”

Leila met Ronald McDonald during herstay at Ronald McDonald House.

Three years later, Leila is anaccomplished dancer!

What began as a trip to Honolulu to addressan orthopedic issue turned into a long,difficult journey for Charlyn and her parentsLynn and Charles when doctors discovered aheart condition that was so serious it neededimmediate intervention; treatment on theWest Coast; and ultimately a relocation tothe U.S. from Guam. Today, she is on theroad to recovery!

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Ways The Community Supports Us Mahalo!

Midas Hawaii raises morethan $40,000 for RMHC-HI!Midas owners Bob and Dianne Pereira(left) are so incredibly supportive! On July14, they presented RMHC-HI PresidentJerri Chong and RMHC-HI Board memberLawrence Chew the proceeds from theirannual APIII Golf Tournament, played atMid Pacific Country Club. This year’s totalof $40,108 surpassed last year’s donationof $38,426! Bob and Dianne are tirelesssupporters of the communities they serve.

Mahalo Midas!!

Preparing for life!!RMHC –HI representatives recently attendedannual awards luncheons for four groups of youngprofessionals-to-be at Hawaii Convention Center.The groups, HOSA, SKILLS USA, DECA, andFCCLA all have agendas that included giving backto the community through RMHC-HI. When theluncheons were done, RMHC-HI received copiousWish List items and hundreds of dollars in cashdonations! These future medical practitioners,business men and women, hospitality managers, andskilled technicians are our future, and they alreadyembrace personal responsibility!

RMHC-HI’s Gene Davis (left) posed with Joshua Wakamura,president of HOSA’s executive council and Ada Toyama,HOSA State Coordinator, after delivering remarks at theHOSA luncheon.

Hongwanji Mission SchoolWe are so grateful!Hongwanji MissionSchool, led by their6th grade class,came together forthe children ofRonald McDonaldHouse by holdingtheir “Penny Games.”Teacher SamanthaKojima presented uswith the coins onMay 27 – nearly$1,400 worth!

UPCOMING EVENTSunday, November 20

-Annual RMHC-HI “Share-a-Night” Gala-Join us at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel & Resort tohelp us honor Bob & Dianne Pereira for all they do

to help us assist families with sick children.

To reserve your table,call 973-5683 ext. 240.

All during the month ofAugust, Da Hawaiian Poke Co.,870 Kapahulu Ave., nearSafeway, is offering a special"Built with Love" Poke Bowlto benefit Ronald McDonald

House Charities of Hawaii!Ahi Wasabi Furikake Poke topped with: KabayakiSauce, Crispy Garlic, Bubu Arare, & Kala Koa Tobiko.Try it. You will love it!$3 of every “Built with Love” bowl sold this month willbe donated to RMHC-HI.

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Ways The Community Supports Us Mahalo!

Just contact us at our toll-free number:(855)-227-7435 or go towww.onecarhelpsrmhc.com

Donate a vehicle to help families!!It’s as easy as it can be.

McFun-raiser Coupon BooksEvery day, more and more schools, teams and clubsare discovering the fundraising power of the RMHC-HI McFun-Raiser Coupon Book Program.

It’s really simple andit really works!McDonald Restaurantsof Hawaii donatesmenu items, which isreally the key to thisprogram. RMHC-HI packages these menu items in ahandy coupon book, which it sells to organizations likethose described above for $3 each. The group thensells them for $5, making a $2 profit on each couponbook sold. Since the coupons in the book are valuedat approximately $23, everybody is a winner!

Each McFun-raiser booklet contains coupons for:

McDonald’s Food Items1 FREE HAMBURGER1 FREE small order of FRENCH FRIES1 FREE ICE-CREAM CONE1 FREE HASH BROWN1 Buy any LARGE SANDWICH, & get 1 FREE1 Buy any BREAKFAST SANDWICH, & get 1 FREE

Honolulu Theatre for YouthOne free $10 children’s admission with purchaseof an adult ticketSome restrictions apply on coupons.

Check out more information about McFun-Raiser onthe RMHC-HI website at www.ronaldhousehawaii.org,or call RMHC-HI at 973-5683 ext. 240 or 244

McDonald’s makes it possible - and very simple - foryou to join them in lending a helping hand to ourfamilies each and every day. RMHC collectioncanisters at the in-store counter and drive throughwindow are available for you to help “change” a life bydepositing coins or bills. It may seem like your changewon’t help much, but with each coin you deposit ateach of your visits, in combination with others, itmakes for a very sizable contribution each year.

Your change changes everything!

Da Hawaiian Poke Bowl –Built with Love

This year’s theme was “You’re a Lifesaver”, to serve as areminder that our Ronald McDonald House volunteers aredaily lifesavers, keeping families afloat during the toughesttimes and stormiest weather.One event simply cannot express all the thank yous we oweour incredible volunteers. However, we hope that a day filled

with great food and music helped show ourimmense gratitude!Volunteers enjoyed a delicious lunch of localfavorites and wonderful entertainment byPomaika'i Lyman and her incredibly talentedfamily of musicians and dancers. Additionally,Tracey Silva, a mother from Hilo, who wasstaying at the Judd Hillside House, praised theefforts of all of the wonderful volunteers.Tracey’s words were a beautiful reminder of theimpact volunteers have on the lives of RMHC-HIguests.Thank you for your big hearts and continuedsupport. You truly are daily lifesavers at theRonald McDonald House.

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage Paid

Honolulu HIPermit No. 635

Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Hawaii1970 Judd Hillside RoadP.O. Box 61777Honolulu, Hawaii 96839-1777Phone: (808) [email protected]

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Volunteer SpotlightBy Olivia Garner

RMHC- HI Volunteer Services Manager

Mahalo to all of our volunteers who were able to attend the13th annual RMHC-HI Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon!Staff, Board of Directors, guest families, and supportersgathered at The Willows Restaurant on Friday, May 27th tohonor and support our incredible corps of caring andenergetic volunteers.

2016 RMHC-HI Volunteer Luncheon