<div>Aloha kākou —
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<div><strong>La‘akea, 22, son, brother, uncle, hula brother, and friend</strong> has unexpectedly run into mounting medical costs due to health complications caused by a recent Lupus diagnosis. Laʻa was diagnosed with Lupus in Sept 2024. For the past year, he has managed his condition with medication and was doing well; however, everything changed on Wednesday, September 10th. <em>Laʻa was rushed to the ER after experiencing severe chest pain and difficulty breathing. After running multiple tests, doctors discovered that his mitral valve was failing. He is now in urgent need of open-heart surgery to repair the valve.</em> Though La‘a has shown incredible strength and resilience, Laʻa and his ʻohana could use our kākoʻo and kōkua as they are looking at a long and uncertain road ahead of them.
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<div>Currently, Laʻa is in the Cardiac ICU at Queen’s Medical Center, fighting for his life. His heart is so weak that doctors had to place him on an ECMO machine to keep his blood circulating while his body fights to stabilize. The doctors have recommended that he be transferred to UCSF in San Francisco for advanced cardiac care and surgery.
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<div>This journey has already been overwhelming emotionally and financially. Even with health insurance, the costs for surgery, ICU care, and recovery will be enormous. On top of this, a few of Laʻa's ʻohana members will fly from Oʻahu to San Francisco to be by his side to support him during treatment and through his recovery. This adds another layer of financial strain.
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<div><strong>We are asking for help to support Laʻa through this fight — for his medical expenses, the long hospital stay, as well as travel and lodging costs so his ʻohana may be with him every step of the way. </strong><em> Moneys raised through this fund will go directly to Laʻa's makuahine, Kanoe, she will in turn use directly for Laʻaʻs expenses.</em>
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<div>Words from his ʻohana:<em> "Our son is a strong, kind, and loving young man. He is the glue that holds our family together, and we believe with all our hearts that he will make it through this battle. Any amount, no matter how small, will help us focus on what matters most: being there for him and supporting his recovery."</em>
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<div><em>From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your prayers, generosity, and love."</em>
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<div>Ke aloha nō,
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<div>Ka ʻohana a Laʻakea
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Donate to Laʻa's Lifesaving Open-Heart Surgery

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Still $3,924 to go. Help us build momentum.