
Support Kainalu’s Bone Marrow Transplant Journey
0% complete
$23,305 raised of $35K
164 donations
Hello everyone, on behalf of my brother, Kainalu Castillo, I created this GoFundMe in a time of need. Kainalu was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in April 2022 and has been fighting since. With the help of many professionals, loved ones, and his faith; Nalu has been able to push through the ups and downs of his diagnosis and the daily life of a young teacher in his 20s. He has been on daily chemo pills, weekly to monthly doctor appointments, and has undergone surgery on his lymph nodes.
Nalu, having just turned 26 in November of 2025, was later presented with the reality that his body was now rejecting the treatments he's been under. In the year 2026, he will be receiving a Bone Marrow/Stem Cell Transplant. A transplant is a high-risk, intense, and fragile procedure that will require a great amount of attention, care, and time. This procedure will be done outside of his home state, during unpaid time off, and with the need for a full-time caregiver.
Fundraising will be of great help as the road ahead is long and unknown. Kainalu will be in the ICU for many weeks and in strict isolation for months as he builds his new immune system. During his healing process, he will be at constant appointments, under intense medication, and face the possibility of infections or complications with his new cells. As we embrace and prepare for this testimony together, we also extend our hands for community.
Your donation will directly go towards:
- Medication, treatments, appointments, and emergency needs during recovery
- Unpaid time off to provide full-time caregiving
- Medical insurance
- Out-of-state housing, before, during, and months post-transplant
- Transportation to daily appointments
- Strict dietary requirements for healing
As a family, we will be holding it down for him back home and out of state. The emotional weight is heavy as is and the cost of his procedure isn't optional; but the cost of keeping him alive and better than before. With great appreciation and from the bottom of our hearts, thank you for helping Kainalu's ride to beating leukemia. Your generous giving will give us the ability to focus on Nalu and his absolute healing and make it a smoother recovery. Much aloha and God bless you all.
Organizer and beneficiary
Kainalu Castillo
Beneficiary


