Let’s help Tammy have a better quality of life

Aloha family, classmates, friends, & friends of friends,

 

Thank you so much for coming to this page. With approval from my friend, classmate, and sister, Tammy (Kalama) Helekahi and her family, I am reaching out to our beloved community to ask for financial support/monetary donations to help with overwhelming medical expenses and to purchase new equipment to assist Tammy Helekahi, in returning home to Hana.

Tammy and I graduated in 1984 from Kamehameha Schools, Kapalama, where she and I, along with our dormitory sisters, and fellow classmates made a bond for life. We know her as an incredibly kind, sweet, humble, down-to-earth, soft-spoken, always laughing, having an infectious smile and a treasured friend, a precious sister for life. She is a wonderful mom to her two daughters, Chanelle and Crystal and cherishes her three grandchildren Koali, 14, Kaiko'o 9, and Keanae, 8. She can't wait to return home to Hana and her husband, JohnJohn, who has sacrificed so much for her on this challenging journey. 

You see, back in 2015, Tammy was diagnosed with a rare type of bone cancer called Chordoma. It is an aggressive spine cancer, with only one in one million people diagnosed per year. 

Her first surgery was at Queens Hospital in 2015 to remove the Chordoma. It is challenging to treat because they grow on the spine near vital tissues like nerves and blood vessels. It can be hard to get all of the tumor out of your spine without hurting the healthy parts of your body, but it was successful.

Then in 2017, the tumor returned, and she needed another operation. However, it was too risky, so she was referred to Stanford Hospital in California. Since then, she's had multiple surgeries done along with Cyberknife Radiation, one of the most advanced forms of radiosurgery. All her procedures were done at Stanford Hospital. After several weeks there, she returned home to heal and recover, and her family all hoped it was behind them.

Then, in March of this year (2021), Tammy had to return to Stanford Hospital for more radiation treatment due to a newly developed Chordoma tumor on her lower lumbar. When she returned home, she was placed on TDI (Temporary Disability Insurance). Tammy slowly began to lose feeling in both legs and arms and therefore could not return to work. Because she was on TDI, she lost her medical care through her employer but managed to receive some medical care through her husband's work, where they paid $600 a month. Still, many bills were piling up as they did not cover everything. 

On August 17, 2021, Tammy went to the emergency room and did an MRI. She received the news that she had yet another tumor, this time on her pelvis, and needed more radiation. They started radiation as soon as possible on Maui. For two weeks, Tammy's husband transported her from Hana, a tiny town on the east side of Maui with minimal resources, to Kahului, where the main hospital is. They woke up at 4 am to get there as early as possible to be back in time for him to make it to work. The drive from Hana to Kahului is 52.5 miles with 620 turns, and it takes over 2 hours to drive one way. While doing her treatments, she completely lost all her physical feelings. The doctor informed Tammy that she was now paralyzed from her chest down but still had movement in both arms. Her health condition started to worsen due to her illness; medical treatments, travel, and care costs just kept increasing in more debt. Through all of this, she remains a trooper and has not given up.

On October 1, 2021, Tammy was taken to the emergency room at Maui Memorial Hospital and is still admitted. We are not sure how long she will be there but were just told to prepare for her homecoming. In preparing for Tammy to return home, we need to ensure a better-equipped home with her current state. Ramps, a modified wheelchair, lifts, and multiple different types of equipment are required for Tammy to have safety and any quality of life. It would not be possible for JohnJohn to care for her without these items.

Our goal is $50,000, and your donation (in any amount) is greatly appreciated. It will mean so much to me and her ohana!

I also appreciate you sharing this GoFundMe page on your social media pages, groups, and communities. For those of you who have questions or concerns with donations please contact me.

I'm trying to reach as many people as possible to help cover these needed funds and get her home to spend as much quality time with her family as possible. Any prayers and positive loving/healing vibes for Tammy are welcome and appreciated as well! 

Mahalo nui loa from the bottom of my heart,

Cami.