Helping Our Father Fight Esophageal Cancer

Dear Friends, Family, and Kind Hearts,

We write to you today with hopeful spirits. Recently, our family received devastating news: our father Aaron Chui, a devoted high school math teacher at Kamehameha Schools Hawai’I in Kea’au, Big Island of Hawai’I, has been diagnosed with esophageal cancer.

Currently, our father is undergoing treatment at Keck Hospital of USC and USC Norris Cancer Center in Los Angeles. As we pray and give thanks for Godʻs mercy and grace, we are also immensely grateful for the benevolence of the trust of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, which has provided excellent health insurance benefits. Yet, the reality of uncovered medical expenses and the cost of cancer treatments weighs heavily on our family.

There was a planned esophagectomy to remove the esophagus and the tumor within. But it was discovered that the tumor had breached the esophagus and started to enter into the left lung. So surgery is, for now, not a viable option. Radiation therapy will be added to the treatment regimen within a couple of weeks.

As his daughters – Elyse, McKenna, Clarice, and Jenna – we are filled with gratitude for the outpouring of love and support we have received thus far. However, we humbly appeal to your generosity during this challenging time. Your contributions will alleviate the financial burden on our family, ensuring that our father can focus on his treatment without the added stress of mounting medical bills. Together, we can help him continue his fight with courage and resilience.

Our father is passionate about nurturing young minds, instilling in his students not only a love for mathematics but also incalculable life lessons of perseverance, determination, and kindness. His passion for teaching has touched the lives of many students, fostering growth and academic achievement. He has also been there for each of us to help with school projects, coach us through years of soccer, and mentor us in times of confusion and distress.

Our dadʻs unwavering dedication to his students and his passion for teaching serve as a testament to his character and resilience. It is our fervent wish to see him healed and able return to his life and his beloved classroom where he can continue to inspire and empower students for years to come.

From the depths of our hearts, we thank you for your compassion and generosity. Together, we can make a difference in our dadʻs journey towards healing.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Elyse, McKenna, Clarice, and Jenna Chui