HONOLULU — Kauai native Seeley Borges and her family went hands on during a Hyundai Hope on Wheels campaign celebration on Thursday at the Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children.
Seeley, labelled “Kauai’s miracle baby” when she actively battled cancer, was one of several keiki who painted her hands and applied handprints to a Hyundai vehicle as a symbol of the fight against childhood cancer, according to a press release from Kapiolani.
“It is so great to be here today and reconnect with those who helped save Seeley,” said her mom, Hayley Borges. “We are deeply thankful for Kapiolani and Hyundai for all that they do for kids battling cancer.”
Hyundai Hope on Wheels and local Hyundai dealers presented a collective gift of $160,000 to Kapiolani Medical Center, the only full-service women’s and children’s hospital in the state. In recognition of Hyundai’s commitment to pediatric cancer care, a ceremony was held at Kapiolani with national and local Hyundai representatives, Kapiolani physicians, team members and patients.
The gift includes a $100,000 Impact Grant from Hyundai Hope on Wheels, a nonprofit dedicated to ending pediatric cancer. The grant will go to Kapiolani’s Cellular Therapy Program which is the only one of its kind in the state. The funding allows the program to purchase specialized equipment for apheresis, an innovative procedure that separates blood components, such as red or white blood cells, to treat certain cancers and other illnesses.
“The Hyundai Hope on Wheels Impact Grant will truly make a positive difference in the work that we do,” said Dr. Randal Wada, Kapiolani chief of pediatric hematology and oncology. “The new equipment will help our apheresis unit work even more efficiently, decreasing procedure time and allowing us to provide more patients with lifesaving cancer care.”
Earlier in the year, Hyundai Hope on Wheels and Hawaii’s local Hyundai dealers pledged an additional $60,000 for Kapiolani’s future Martha B. Smith Cancer and Infusion Center. The new center will more than quadruple the existing space for cancer care at Kapiolani. In addition to enhancing patient care and comfort, the center will further efforts for clinical trials and new treatments for women and children.
“Hyundai Hope on Wheels is honored to support esteemed hospitals and institutions such as Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children to fund research that fosters innovation and medical advancements for pediatric cancer patients,” said John Guastaferro, Hyundai Hope on Wheels executive director. “We are grateful for the unwavering dedication and lifesaving efforts that will bring us closer to a world without childhood cancer.”
Seeley, shortly following her birth on Kauai, had to be medivaced to Kapiolani where she was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive blood cancer. She received immediate care from an expert team of doctors, nurses and specialists for the treatment that was long and challenging.
Today, Seeley is in remission, and able to join other keiki in applying handprints to a Hyundai vehicle.
Source: The Garden Island
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