Words from
our community.

Hi friends,

I am truly speechless and overwhelmed by your incredible generosity, love, and support. I never imagined that I would be diagnosed with AML.

When I had my blood work done on 9/7, my WBC was in the 200s, hemoglobin was 7.6, and platelets were 30. I was emergently flown over to Moanalua Medical Center that night, as Lowell was passing by Kauai.

My journey with AML has only just begun. I’ve already spent time in the ICU, required a central line for leukapheresis, had a PICC line placed for chemotherapy, and needed two additional IVs. I also had a punch biopsy of my skin in case a bone marrow transplant becomes necessary. I developed pneumonia and required BiPAP support.

It has been a very rough start, but I am incredibly fortunate to be cared for by such a wonderful team of doctors, nurses, aides, respiratory therapists, and everyone else who has been taking care of me. Because of them, I have made steady progress. I’m now breathing on my own on room air and tolerating chemotherapy.

Please remember that every day is a gift.

My greatest motivation to survive is my wife and our four children. I also want to be here to care for my disabled sister after my mother passes away someday. They are the reasons I will continue to fight with everything I have.

You don’t truly appreciate your health until it is suddenly taken away and you find yourself confined to a hospital room. Something as simple as stepping outside and taking a breath of fresh air becomes a privilege.

After six days inside, I was finally able to go to a small courtyard—maybe 8 by 5 feet—with large panes of glass and small spaces between them that allowed the natural air to flow through. I stuck my face through one of those openings and took a deep breath of fresh air.

I cried.

It was such a simple thing, something I had done thousands of times without ever thinking about it. But in that moment, I realized how many little things in life we take completely for granted.

So please, love your children, your spouse, your partner, your pets, your friends, and your family as though there may not be a tomorrow. Hug them. Tell them you love them. Spend time with them. We simply never know when life can change in an instant.

If by some miracle I make it through this, I will consider myself incredibly blessed. And I would be honored to continue sharing friendship and life with all of you.

I am overwhelmed by your generosity, but even more than the financial gift, I am deeply touched by the love behind it. Knowing that so many people are thinking of me, praying for me, and standing beside me gives me strength when I need it most.

Thank you for your generous gift, but more importantly, thank you for your love, kindness, prayers, and support.

I will give everything I have to fight this battle. Your love and support are inspiring me to keep fighting and never give up.

I love you all.

With all my heart,
David