Julie Kobayashi, 2016 Champion Child
By the time Julie Kobayashi was 11 years old, she knew in her heart that the school band was for her. She started to not feel well but with the big performance coming up, she practiced hard despite it. Her parents sensed it was more than just a stomach bug and took Julie to see her doctor, who ordered blood tests. While walking down the hall, she suddenly felt weak and dizzy. She began to see white spots and her vision became blurry. Julie was rushed to Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children where she was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition in which the heart becomes weakened and enlarged.
Julie was admitted to Kapiolani’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit where doctors determined she was in heart failure. With the nearest pediatric transplant center available on the West Coast, Kapiolani’s Transport Team of specially trained respiratory therapists and registered nurses was mobilized to transport Julie via air ambulance to the mainland for a heart transplant.
Today, Julie has a fully functioning new heart, and her love for music remains strong. In addition to playing the clarinet in her high school band, she enjoys lion dancing, cooking, and playing video games. She continues to receive follow-up care and regular heart health checkups at Kapiolani.
A Message from Julie:
Aloha! I’m Julie, Hawaii’s 2016 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Champion.
Two of my passions are lion dancing and practicing the art of kung fu. The Chinese believe that through lion dancing, evil spirits will be chased away to bring good fortune. In honor of my Chinese heritage and what a lion means to me, I designed a special Champion pin, the Good Luck Lion.
The heart on top of the lion’s forehead represents my new heart, while the golden snake at the top of the lion represents the Chinese astrological animal for the year I was born, and the year I became sick. In lion dancing, six people are needed to work as a harmonious team to act as the lion and to play the drum, symbols and gong instruments. In a hospital, it takes a team to care for one patient. Kapiolani’s team of experts saved my life when I arrived in the Emergency Department and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. They did everything in their power to make sure I was comfortable. I am here today because of the team at Kapiolani.
This year, I’ll serve as an ambassador, advocating and raising awareness for the specialized care given to 34 million kids treated at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
To donate to Hawaii’s only Children's Miracle Network Hospital, click here.
Taylor Tagatac, 2015 Champion Child
At age five, Taylor was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a cancer of the blood cells. She received chemotherapy and led as much of a normal life as she could. When the doctors said she was in remission, she and her family were overjoyed. For two years, Taylor was back to her usual routine, but then, at eight and a half years old, she relapsed. Doctors told her that this time she would need a bone marrow transplant. The news hit hard as this type of treatment typically meant a trip to the mainland, but Taylor was able to become the very first person to have the type of bone marrow treatment she needed in Hawaii. Taylor’s Dad, Frank, was the bone marrow donor. In February of 2011, Taylor was officially in remission again. She is now 13 years old, cancer free, with a passion for cooking, playing the drums, riding horses and surfing.
Taylor dreams that one day she can help other children with the same condition, by becoming a Pediatric Oncologist. Help support the dreams of children like Taylor.
Taylor’s Champion Child Pin
“I designed a special Champion pin, the Aloha Surfboard,” which represents my passion for surfing in Hawaii. The ‘L’ in Aloha symbolizes the cancer ribbon and the color orange is for leukemia. The ‘O’ in Aloha is a gold hibiscus to symbolize childhood cancer.” – Taylor Tagatac
Keegan Passos, 2014 Champion Child
Keegan’s journey began in utero when doctors found two holes in his heart. He had three open-heart surgeries by age three and a pacemaker surgery at age five, after complications during a tooth extraction. Seizures began at age seven, and Keegan was also diagnosed with Tourette's syndrome, A.D.H.D. and an anxiety disorder. Today, he is under the constant observation and care of 10 different specialists and faces the reality that he will eventually need a new heart and lung.
Despite all of this, Keegan never misses an opportunity to crack a joke or help other kids facing similar challenges. He enjoys being a peer mentor to show kids they have plenty of support. His only complaint is there just aren't enough hours in the day, especially for the fun things in life like dancing and catching bugs with other Kapiolani kids.
Hear from Keegan about why being named a Champion is important to him and his family.
