Childhood Cancer Connection, Hawaii Bone Marrow Registry, Hawaii Children’s Cancer Foundation, Hawaii Cord Blood Bank and Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children have teamed up to shed light on the facts about childhood cancer, cord blood banking and bone marrow donation.

“Donors typically match based on ethnic background, so you can imagine that here in Hawaii it is especially challenging for children to find a match, given the unique variety of ethnic mixes,” said Randal K. Wada M.D., pediatric oncologist. Dr. Wada is the founder and medical director of the Hawaii Cord Blood Bank and Hawaii Bone Marrow Registry, as well as a transplant surgeon. “We strongly urge the public to attend a drive and register as a bone marrow donor; it’s a simple process that can save the life of a keiki,” added Wada.

Now 25 years old, Chantal Napalapalai is one example of a Hawaii childhood cancer survivor whose life was saved by a blood marrow donor. In 2001, at the age of 15, Napalapalai was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia. After a relapse in November of last year, she underwent a bone marrow transplant. “I was truly blessed with a second chance at life from a non-related bone marrow donor,” said Napalapalai.

 To become registered as a bone marrow donor, all that is required is a cheek swab and a willingness to help save a life.  Each new registrant will be placed into the National Bone Marrow Registry, which matches pediatric and adult patients throughout the country with donors.

The drives will be staffed by volunteers from various community groups and organizations, including families of children with cancer from the Childhood Cancer Connection support group.

While not all will need bone-marrow transplants, 50-60 Hawaii children are diagnosed with cancer each year. At any given time, approximately 200 children are undergoing treatment, with the average time span of treatment ranging from one to three years. Cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children from birth to 14 years of age.

Bone-Marrow Drives in September:

• Sunday, September 4 (Kickoff event): Big City Diner at Ward Center from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Saturday, September 10: Kahala Mall from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Friday, September 16: Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children from 5 – 7 p.m.
• Saturday, September 17: Pearlridge Downtown from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Sunday, September 18: Windward Mall from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Saturday, September 24: Kakaako Park for the CureSearch Walk from 8 a.m. – 12 noon

For more information on the September events and Hawaii Children’s Cancer Foundation, please visit the Hawaii Children’s Cancer Foundation website: www.HCCF.org.

As always, for every pound of corned beef sold, $2.00 is donated to the Hawaii Children’s Cancer Foundation.

For more information, click here.

Come visit us at the HCCF table at Borders Books at Mililani Town Centre on March 12 and April 23 from 12-2 p.m.

Rock the red carpet with us!

Get your picture taken at our fun Valentine’s Day photo area at Kahala Mall. This is a fundraiser for the Hawaii Children’s Cancer Foundation. For just a $5 donation, you’ll receive a 4X6? print to give to a special someone on Valentine’s Day. 100% of all donations will go to support HCCF.

Special for the keiki – from 12-1pm, take a Valentine’s photo with Hello Kitty!

Please tell your friends and family to visit us next Saturday at Kahala Mall.  Thank you for supporting HCCF! We hope to see you there!

 The goal is to unite Chinatown merchants and patrons to help Hawaii children, especially during the holiday season.

 “We want to make sure that these kids have a gift to open for Christmas…there is no better charity than helping the children of Hawaii, ” said event organizer Mark Becker.  Becker has organized similar events in Chicago beginning 10 years ago, raising over $10,000 the first year and $100,000 last year, with 5,000 people participating.  This is the first time he has organized the event in Honolulu.

Event tickets are available now for $20 presale online or $25 on the night of the event, and will provide patrons with an event t-shirt and Santa hat, as well as complimentary cover and discounted drinks at all participating bars. All proceeds go to HCCF and Make-A-Wish Hawaii. For presale tickets, visit the link:  http://www12barsofchristmashonolulu.ticketleap.com/12-bars-of-christmas/

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 HONOLULU (December 7, 2010) — The Chinatown Merchants Association is hosting “The 12 Bars of Christmas” on Saturday, December 18, 2010 to benefit two local charities: Hawaii Children’s Cancer Foundation (HCCF) and Make-A-Wish Hawaii.  The event is a pub crawl where participants will stroll the streets of Chinatown and enjoy at least 12 great establishments, a scavenger hunt, and other activities throughout the night.  There will also be a raffle with prizes such as airfare to Las Vegas and the neighbor islands, restaurant gift certificates, and more.  Attendees can even bring a toy or canned food donation for a free raffle ticket.  Participating establishments include: Murphy’s Bar & Grill, thirtyninehotel, Bar 35, Soho Mix Media Bar, O’Toole’s, Bambuu2, Duvin, Indigo, JJ Dolan’s, and others. 

 The goal is to unite Chinatown merchants and patrons to help Hawaii children, especially during the holiday season.

 “We want to make sure that these kids have a gift to open for Christmas…there is no better charity than helping the children of Hawaii, ” said event organizer Mark Becker.  Becker has organized similar events in Chicago beginning 10 years ago, raising over $10,000 the first year and $100,000 last year, with 5,000 people participating.  This is the first time he has organized the event in Honolulu.

 “This is a wonderful way for people to have fun at a reasonable price and a very generous effort on the part of the Chinatown merchants to help our children and families at a time when they need even more support,” said Kendis Teho, executive director of HCCF.

Event tickets are available now for $20 presale online or $25 on the night of the event, and will provide patrons with an event t-shirt and Santa hat, as well as complimentary cover and discounted drinks at all participating bars. All proceeds go to HCCF and Make-A-Wish Hawaii. For presale tickets, visit the link:  http://www12barsofchristmashonolulu.ticketleap.com/12-bars-of-christmas/

 About Hawaii Children’s Cancer Foundation

Hawaii Children’s Cancer Foundation (HCCF) is the only organization in the State of Hawaii dedicated exclusively to providing services to children with cancer and their families.  The foundation provides a wide range of services and programs to families, including financial assistance, social events, education and advocacy.  All services and programs that HCCF provides are entirely free to the families in need.  The Foundation was formed in 1991 by a group of parents and medical providers after a statewide needs assessment showed that there were many childhood cancer needs not being met by any existing entity.  HCCF was granted IRS 501(c)(3) non-profit status in 1993.  All funds donated to HCCF remain in Hawai‘i, with 95 cents of every dollar received put towards providing direct services for the children with cancer and their families.  For more information, visit www.hccf.org.

CONTACTS:

Mark Becker                                            Kendis Teho                                                                 Lyn Brown
Chinatown Merchants Assoc.          Hawaii Children’s Cancer Foundation              Make A Wish Foundation
Ph: 808.779.3504                               Ph: 808.528.5161/cell: 808.753.6018            Ph: 808-537-3118
Email: mabecks5@yahoo.com       Email: kendis.teho@hccf.org                                Email: lyn@makeawishhawaii.org

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Click here to view a PDF of the Star-Advertiser article.

3-person canoe up for auction in cancer foundation fundraiser

PHOTO COURTESY JAY DOWSETT

This is one silent auction that is sure to be popular with Hawaii’s water sports community.

The Hawaii Children’s Cancer Foundation’s “Rock-n-Roll I Can Cer Vive” fundraiser next Friday at the Royal Hawaiian features a 3-person canoe (above) by Jay Dowsett and a Triple Crown of Surfing Randy Rarick mini-tanker surfboard specifically built for the event.

Other items include standup paddleboards and surfboards, and canoe and yacht excursions. The event begins at 6 p.m. and includes a Surf Line Hawaii, Ltd/Jams World fashion show, music, pupu and cocktails.

Tickets are $130 and can be purchased online at hccf.org or by calling 528-5161.

The excitement begins with Jazz by Boogie and a silent auction with items such as a three-man canoe, stand up board, paddles, surfboards, a one-man canoe, dinners, cars, distinctive wines, jewelry and fashion.  Later in the night, Jams World will take you back in time with a unique Tanui Tully choreographed show spanning the decades from the 1960’s through today.

Ticket holders will enjoy pupu stations, limited signature cocktails by Peligroso Tequila and Pau Maui Vodka, Heineken and a wine station.  Exclusive VIP and sponsor sections are available with plenty of extras including a private sushi bar and premium Miner Family Vineyards wines from Napa Valley.

The band Rumbletone will close the event with a Rock ‘n Roll dance concert.  The Star-Advertiser has given rave reviews of the band’s new album, stating they “hit the mark.”  Listen for the flash backs.

So come and have fun and make a difference for the children and families affected by cancer in Hawaii.

Hawaii Children’s Cancer Foundation is the only organization in the State of Hawaii, dedicated exclusively to providing services to children with cancer and their families.  All of the funds raised will remain in Hawaii.

For more information, please call 808-528-5161 or email info@hccf.org.