On Friday, April 29, 2017 I received a telephone call from my good friend Allan Perreira.  Allan is a 1979 graduate of the Kamehameha Schools.  In the more than 25 years since we became friends through lifting weights, I have come to admire this big man for his BIG HEART - which you could see in the love he has for his family and friends.

Allan called to tell me that he was flown via Medevac from Las Vegas to the USC Medical Center in California to await a heart transplant.  Yes, you heard me right, A HEART TRANSPLANT.  The big man with the biggest heart I know needs a heart transplant.  My own heart dropped into my stomach as I thought about all the good things that this man did for people, and how he never wanted to be acknowledged for it. 

At this time I would like to plead to all who read this to please share this with your family and friends.  Allan is presently in the Intensive Care Unit at the USC Medical Center awaiting a heart.  I ask for your continued prayers that they find a matching donor for Allan so that he can continue to be the loving Husband, Son, Father, Brother and Friend to us all. 

Allan has a long journey ahead of him.  He is welcoming the fight and if there is anyone who deserves to have a second chance it is Allan.  It’s ironic that the man with the big heart now has a weak heart and needs a new one.  We can only imagine the challenges, both physically and financially, that Allan and his family will have ahead of them. 

Luckily Allan has medical coverage that will cover most of the huge cost of the heart transplant surgery.  But medical will not cover all of the expenses that Allan and his family will incur both pre and post surgery, probably for the rest of his life.  Even after the surgery Allan will have to reside in California (away from his home and family is Las Vegas), on an out patient basis, for at least 3 months while he goes through rehab and the doctors monitor to make sure his body doesn’t reject the new heart. 

We have established this GoFundMe account with the hope of raising $25,000 to $30,000 for Allan and his family.  The money raised will go towards Allan’s expenses while he is living in California recovering from the heart surgery.  Because it is currently a waiting game for the heart, Allan’s wife Cherie had to return home to Las Vegas to go back to work and care for their young son.  Money raised will also go towards allowing Cherie to travel back and forth from Las Vegas to Southern California to keep Allan’s spirits high and positive.  Allan needs to know that as the bread winner of the household, while he is recovering, his monthly expenses will be covered.  Cherie could use our support during this difficult time. 

For those of you who know Allan, you know this a good man.  Please help.  For those of you who do not know Allan, I promise you that you will not find a better human being. 

Mahalo,
Ray Sagum (Juliette BHC Sagum Foundation)
on behalf of the Friends &Family of Allan Perreira