Testimonial: Leukemia Patient Appreciates Blood Donors

Leukemia Patient Appreciates Blood Donors


	Katrina Louise Puaolena Mieko Hakkei

Nine year-old Katrina Louise Puaolena Miekoy Hakkei received great support from friends at school, her community and many anonymous blood donors who gave the gift of life when she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia two years ago.

Her second-grade classmates and friends at Kealakehe Elementary decorated money jars to collect funds for Katrina's family. Local entertainers, including Melveen Leed, performed during a concert for the Kona community to raise money for her medical expenses.

According to Marella Katrina’s mother, she received two units of red blood cells at least eight times. She also needed platelets following several chemotherapy treatments. “Without blood Katrina would not have survived,” she said.

Katrina’s cancer went into remission several months after she was diagnosed, but the need for blood still is very real in her family. Katrina’s aunt is terminally ill with breast cancer and is a blood recipient today. Her four-year-old nephew was born with a hole in his heart and needed blood following corrective surgery.

“We consider blood donors to be Katrina’s lifetime friends, ”Marella said. “Thank you for making a difference in our family”.