KAPAA — Monica Hoffman of Long Beach, Calif. is one tough lady.
“I’m a breast cancer survivor,” said Hoffman, who is vacationing with her family celebrating birthdays. “Then, after surviving breast cancer, I was just diagnosed with sarcoma cancer, or cancer that affects soft tissue. I’m scheduled for surgery in two weeks.”
Hoffman, along with her sister and mother, joined several hundred others in the Sixth annual Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital Cancer Walk at Ke Ala Hele Makalae fronting the Kapaa Neighborhood Center in observance of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
“I read about this in the newspaper and called Josie (Pablo of SMMH),” Hoffman said. “She connected me with Noreen Steinmetz, who had a specially-decorated trishaw that she will wheel me in.”
The group departed under the cloud of pink from the Pink Bombers and music from the Kapaa High School Marching Band under the leadership of Catherine Paleka, trooping past the Kapaa High School JROTC Honor Guard.
“This is a unique event,” said Kauai County Councilmember Mason Chock, who was joined by fellow Councilmen Arthur Brun and Derek Kawakami in helping to wheel residents along the multi-use path. “All of these people coming together to raise awareness of a cause, the residents getting the needed outing in the fresh air — and, we didn’t have to shut down any traffic.”
Walkers in a sea of pink trooped along Ke Ala Hele Makalae past a hula halau providing roadside entertainment, rows of Kapaa High School National Honor Society members cheering on the entourage, and past the Kauai Independent Daycare Service preschool youngsters eagerly waving pink pom poms.
“We are here today to celebrate courage, strength, and perseverance — to live life to the fullest,” said Josie Pablo, the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation regional recreational therapist. “October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and what a better way to have an event like this to celebrate life for those survivors, and for those that are dealing with cancer.”
Kelly Borgert, whose grandfather is a resident at SMMH, was with her children celebrating the third year they have done this walk that snaked to the end of Kapaa Beach Park before turning and returning to the Kapaa Neighborhood Center start point.
Jakki Nelson is a survivor and member of the Rotary Club of Kapaa.
“This is my third year,” Nelson said. “When I first came out to walk, it was to support. Then, I was diagnosed with cancer. This walk does a lot to lift the spirit of survivors. It offers hope.”
Thoma Buengula, whose grandmother Louisa Tachikawa is another SMMH resident, said this was the first year she was able to take part.
“My children used to wheel grandma,” Buengula said. “I was able to get the day off so I’m here. This is a great time to spend the day with grandma, reflect on life, and meet cancer survivors and try to understand what they go through in battling this disease. This is such a special day to spend with grandma, and we need to support Mahelona Hospital and what they do for the community. It is important to come out because if no one comes, one day, we might not have anyone.”
Walkers returned to waiting snacks prepared by the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort &Spa, entertainment, roses for survivors from the SMMH Auxiliary, and a presentation to the American Cancer Society on behalf of the HHSC Kauai Region.
“This is not about me,” Pablo said. “The Mahelona grounds crew were here at 4 a.m. decorating the path and getting everything ready for everyone. There are lots of people, including our sister hospital Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital who have residents participating and staff volunteering. It takes everyone to care for our village.”
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
Aloha Kakou,
Please, Please, Please…
What is the Cause ?
Not what is the Treatment !
Science does know the Cause of these diseases of so much suffering.
But they say, yes but the Treatment employs so many people and makes $4 Trillion dollars a year in income.
Eliminating the Cause and proactively preventing the Cause from reaching the people is more effective than any Treatment; and the bottom line is there is no Cure because these diseases are a Process.
Processes are only able to be Prevented or Reversed, and neither drugs nor surgery can do either Prevent or Reverse.
The Medical Disease Care System has been “fighting” these killer diseases for over 70 years and the numbers of people, the diseases, and deaths has gotten only worse, but the $ Profits on treatment have only gotten better for the people in Disease Care, but worse for the patients. For $4 Trillion dollars a year who would want to give up that job?
Ladies in Pink thank, you for showing your concern, but, Think Cause, and Remove It.
Mahalo,
Charles