Aurelia Awa has been working on her speeches for months. The girl from Ewa Beach who was born with leukemia that took her eyesight, then faced heart failure and nutritional challenges has a message of hope to share with others. She'll have the opportunity to do just that as 2025 Children's Miracle Network Hospitals (CMN Hospitals) Champion for Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children.
The 11-year-old received the honor in front of family, friends and supporters at the annual CMN Partners event at The Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort today. Moments later, she made her first official speech. In the months to come, she will share her courageous story, inspiring countless community partners and supporters committed to the health and well-being of Hawaii's keiki.
"I am excited to help kids with their struggles and disabilities. I want them to know that they are strong and brave," Aurelia told the audience. The Harry Potter fan added, "In the words of Professor Albus Dumbledore, 'Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if only one remembers to turn on the light.' Supporters, you are the light because of everything you do."
Aurelia certainly knows a thing or two about challenges. When she was just 2 weeks old, her parents noticed bruising under her eyes, which got darker through the day. The infant was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. She began five months of chemotherapy at Kapiolani when she was just about a month old.
"The first round of chemotherapy was really challenging," said Aurelia's mom, Rachel. "The fear and anger of the unknown hit me the hardest."
As she started to recover, her parents noticed she wouldn't look into their eyes. Damage to her optic nerve caused Aurelia to lose her sight. The family adapted and she grew into a fun-loving and fearless little girl. She became a big sister. Then, when she was 4, she began feeling really tired. The fatigue got worse, and her mom and dad feared her cancer had returned. Instead, her heart was failing.
"One of the side effects of chemotherapy is that it can affect the heart, so we follow certain patients closely," said Dr. James Sim, Kapiolani pediatric cardiologist. "An echocardiogram showed signs that Aurelia was in significant heart failure."
She experienced congestive heart failure again five years later. Both times, the Kapiolani teams, who had become like family, were able to stabilize her.
"One of the great things about Kapiolani is that there are so many different specialists in one place," said Dr. Darryl Glaser, Aurelia's pediatric hematologist and oncologist. "Cardiologists, gastroenterologists, endocrinologists, neurologists, physical and occupational therapists, everybody always came together for Aurelia."
Today, the sixth grader loves rollercoasters, plays drums and has just finished reading the Harry Potter series. She will need more cardiac care in the future but is now focused on helping to change the world for other kids.
Aurelia's 2025 Champion announcement included several surprises, including a trip to California for the family, where they will represent Kapiolani at a CMN Hospitals event. Kapiolani CMN partners are excited to welcome the Awas to their businesses.
"The Champions go through so many challenges, treatments and surgeries, and still have the heart and drive to push through," said Tina Kobatake, Aloha Pacific Federal Credit Union director of recruitment and employee engagement. "Their stories put things in perspective and inspire us to think, 'How can we help?'"
Video: Hawaii's 2025 Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Champion: Aurelia Awa
Champion Pin Represents Aurelia's Journey
CMN partners also were the first ones to receive Aurelia's Champion pin. The unique design represents her journey:
- At the top is the word "Family" in Braille, representing her love for her family.
- The rainbow represents Hawaii.
- Hands symbolize how Aurelia explores the world.
- An open book and musical notes reflect her love of reading and music.
- The gold-and-orange heart honors Childhood Cancer Awareness and Aurelia's leukemia journey.
Community Partnerships Support Programs at Kapiolani
As a not-for-profit medical center, Kapiolani relies on community support to further its mission of caring for Hawaii’s families and creating a healthier Hawaii. Kapiolani is committed to providing advanced quality care to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay.
In Hawaii, CMN Hospitals funds help support key programs and services at Kapiolani that helped Aurelia and many other keiki, including the Child Life program, critical care transport team and lifesaving equipment. Gifts made in Hawaii stay in Hawaii, with 100% of the funds going to help local keiki.
Hawaii fundraising partners raised more than $3.5 million for Kapiolani CMN in 2024. They include Walmart and Sam's Club, Costco Wholesale, Marriott International and Marriott Vacations Worldwide, Panda Express, Ace Hardware, KSSK with iHeartMedia and Walgreens, as well as local partners D. Suehiro Electric, Inc., various Hawaii credit unions, Aloha Petroleum, AlohaCare, Diamond Bakery, Fighting Eel, Coco Moon and more. Kapiolani has had a partnership with CMN Hospitals for more than 40 years.
Photo (top): 2025 Kapiolani Children's Miracle Network Champion Aurelia Awa (front left) with her family, (from left) Kaimi, Rachel, and sister, Quinn.
Photo (inset 1): Aurelia Awa (front right) with her family and physicians. From left: Dr. James Sim, Kapiolani pediatric cardiologist; Quinn, Rachel and Kaimi Awa; and Dr. Darryl Glaser, Kapiolani pediatric hematologist/oncologist.
Photo (inset 2): Aurelia Awa (second from right) with previous Hawaii CMN Champions (from left) Xander Cabales, Leila-Rose Coloma and Kalley-Mae Yee.