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We’re celebrating with our Hawaii credit unions on International Credit Unions Day October 15, 2020!

Credit Unions part of Credit Unions for Kids has raised more than $1.5 million dollars for Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children! Adding up to more than $200 million and counting nationally since 1997. This October we are celebrating all of our amazing credit union partners who continue to make an immeasurable difference in the lives of kids treated at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children.

Kids like Haumea, our 2020 Hawaii Champion!

During a prenatal appointment at 18 weeks pregnant, Kainoa Friel and her husband, Calen, were delivered unexpected news. Their unborn daughter, Haumea, had a birth defect called proximal femoral focal deficiency (PFFD), a condition that leads to one leg being shorter than the other. The complexity of PFFD would require an experienced team of multidisciplinary professionals at Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children.

To date, the 5-year-old has undergone more than 10 surgeries.  Recently, Haumea underwent a rare and complex surgical procedure called rotationplasty.  The 16-hour procedure removes part of the leg, rotates the lower leg 180 degrees and attaches the foot to the femur. This allows the foot to function like a knee that can be fitted for a prosthesis.

The kindergartner is flourishing and recently took a giant leap in her recovery process. “She got her prosthetic leg and named it ‘Sparkle,’” Kainoa says. “Haumea is proud of who she is. She is one of the strongest people I know.”

Haumea’s positivity and unstoppable attitude shows everyone around her why she’s a true champion.

We believe that when we positively change the health of even one child, we create a ripple effect felt by our communities for years to come. When we ensure our children can lead healthy, fulfilling lives, we foster the scientists, inventors, artists, and leaders of tomorrow.

Big shout out to all our credit unions out there across Hawaii fundraising to help change kids’ health and change the future.

Aloha Pacific FCU

Big Island FCU

CU Hawaii FCU

EWA FCU

Garden Island FCU

Gather FCU

Hawaii Central FCU

Hawaii Community FCU

Hawaii Credit Union League

Hawaii FCU

Hawaii Schools FCU

Hawaii State FCU

Hawaii Financial FCU

HawaiiUSA FCU

HFS FCU

Hickam FCU

Kahului FCHI

Koolau FCU

Maui Country FCU

Molokai Community FCU

Onomea FCOU

Pearl Hawaii FCU

Valley Isle Community FCU

Wailuku FCU

Thank you, credit union partners for helping change kids’ health at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children.