Previous Heroes

Iluminada’s name means “illuminated” or “enlightenment” and she has been her family’s guiding light since day one. At the current age of 78, Iluminada is a mother to four children, a grandmother to nine grandchildren, and a great grandmother to a great grand-daughter. Affectionately known as “Mama,” she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2007 and has endured several treatments including thyroid removal surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and drug therapy. In 2019, her cancer developed into Metastatic thyroid cancer, also known as stage 4 thyroid cancer, which meant that it had spread from the thyroid gland to other areas of her body. As a result, Iluminada had to have a laryngectomy, which is a surgery to remove one’s voice box. This gave her a greater chance at extending her life, but it also meant that she would no longer have her natural voice.

For those who knew Iluminada prior to 2019, you knew that she was always the life of the party! To this day, she loves hosting parties and cooking various Filipino dishes. She enjoys spending time with friends and family and she doesn’t let her inability to speak naturally, or her cancer, get in the way of her daily activities. She attends church most everyday, unless she’s feeling a bit run down.

As residents of Lahaina, Maui, Iluminada and her family were recently impacted by the devastating wildfires in August 2023, which led to loss of their vehicle and employment. In addition, the medication required to treat Iluminada’s cancer has extremely high co-pays due to its limited availability and lack of generic options.

Although hour-long commutes to the doctor’s office in Wailuku can be a bit tiresome for her, she never complains one bit. Iluminada’s daughter, Merilou, shared, “I am a firm believer that her faith in God, as well as the medical treatment she’s getting, has kept her with us for the past 16 years! Our entire family is grateful to UVSC for providing the assistance our mom needs to continue fighting this disease. With your support, you are keeping the light within Iluminada alive.”

James Clover Bitzer is a lively 3 year old and “smart as a whip” says his dad, Jason Bitzer, a 15-year Lifeguard veteran on Oahu. Jason and his wife, Roberta Bitzer, an environmental scientist who is also very active with non-profit organizations on Oahu, are now in the biggest rescue attempt to help their son. James was recently diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma with an MIBG positive diagnosis. However there is hope at Sloan Kettering in New York, nearly 5,000 miles from Hawaii.

The family is currently at Sloan Kettering on the East Coast, as they cater to this specific disease. UVSC stands beside them to help provide that much needed strength and hope as they split their time between Hawaii and the East Coast and take on this daunting task and heavy costs.

In July 2022, our Kawaihala’ilanamalie, better known by her ‘ohana as Hala’i developed a lingering fever, stomach pains and began to limp. While traveling back and forth to O’ahu and undergoing numerous diagnostic tests, her parents, Lee Jon and Nalani never left her side.

On August 18, 2022, our sweet Hala’i was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma after a mass was detected between her right kidney and spine. Additional testing and biopsies have confirmed a stage 4 diagnosis as cancer has spread to her left thighbone and into her bone marrow.
Hala’i’s first round of chemotherapy was on September 13th at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children. Her initial treatment plan was for 21 days, followed by stem cell transplants and additional rounds of chemotherapy. Despite all of the discomfort our Hala’i has endured in the last several months, she still lights up the room with her beautiful smile and joyful spirit.

My name is Ally Tamayose, I’m 16 years old and I’m from Pearl City, Hawaii. I was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in my left femur in January 2018. In that same year I underwent nine months of chemotherapy and had a limb-salvage surgery.

In January 2019, scans revealed that the mets in my lungs had grown and I began another chemo road map and had my first double thoracotomy at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. In January 2020, I had a third thoracotomy done to remove more lung mets that had continued to grow.

In June 2020, I participated in a CART-2 clinical trial at Texas Children’s in Houston, Texas. Following the clinical trial, I had another double thoracotomy to remove more lung mets that had grown. I then began taking an immunotherapy drug in hopes that it would keep me stable but that medication ended up giving me really bad hand, arm, leg, and feet sores so we ultimately made the decision to stop the inhibitor. My sixth thoracotomy was done in April 2021 to remove more lung mets that had grown and I began taking oral chemotherapy. I was on that medication for about 7 months, but the mets in my lungs continued to grow. I had my seventh thoracotomy done in November 2021.

Following that surgery, I began to develop headaches and it worsened throughout the holiday season. As 2022 came around, I was scheduled to have my eighth thoracotomy done in early January but we had to postpone it after scans revealed a mass on my brain that was causing pressure and giving me headaches. I had a craniotomy done to remove the tumor on January 11, 2022 and had my thoracotomy done 2 weeks after that.

Following the craniotomy, I started brain radiation to help treat the mets in my brain and started taking two different medications in hopes that they can keep my lung and brain mets stable.

In April 2022, scans showed that the medications were working on my brain mets but not on my lung mets. It was decided at that time thoracotomies were no longer a safe option for me. We then looked for other treatment options and ended up choosing SBRT radiation treatments with immunotherapy infusions.

Currently, I just completed my first round of my new medication and SBRT to my lungs. These past 4 years have taught me a lot about cherishing life, having hope and staying positive. All of which helps me continue to fight cancer.

Kahalau Au Hoon – a fun-loving, adorable three year old from Maui

I’m Kahalu’s mom, Rachel Ray Au Hoon. Our story is one about love and family! Duke, Kahalau’s dad, and I met in high school and were even prom sweethearts! Kahalau is our second child born in May, 2014 on our home island of Maui. We wanted to spend more time with our two children, Kahalau and Honi Honi, and thus decided to quit our jobs to open our own art business. We started in open air market venues but within a year I was able to get my artwork into 10 galleries and 4 restaurants and we now have a small gallery in Kahului, Maui called U’i Gallery.

Our family was living a happy life on Maui when in June 2017 we noticed something wasn’t right with Kahalau. One weekend during a family outing, Kahalau who had recently been unstable on her feet at times, couldn’t even stand up. Something obviously was not right but we had no idea what it could be. Why was our perfectly rambunctious little 3 year old seemingly deteriorating before our eyes? We had taken her to the doctor several times because she was unable to maintain balance and was very fussy at times. It was labeled as ataxia and lactose intolerance.

I decided that weekend that it was time to go to the emergency room and figure out why my child was so sick, why she was walking irregularly and suffering leg pain. Cancer didn’t even come to mind, we thought maybe it was vertigo or some type of infection.

A scan of her brain at Maui Memorial didn’t reveal anything. Since nothing was found, we were flown to Kaiser Moanalua to get more detailed imaging of her brain. An MRI, however, found nothing. They even did a spinal tap and still found nothing, so I asked for a CT and MRI of her abdomen because she had also been complaining about her stomach a little as well. Duke and Honi Honi flew over that week for the results.

As I held Kahalau in my arms recovering from sedation and feeling awful the doctor went over the CT scan results and showed us a very large mass that covered her entire abdomen across her stomach and kidneys. We cried in disbelief but had to be transferred to Kapiolani Hospital for a biopsy. Finally after two weeks of living in the hospital, Kahalau’s diagnosis was confirmed as Neuroblastoma Stage 3 High Risk. The next day she started her first round of chemotherapy on a clinical trial with frontline treatment in addition to targeted molecular medicine.

Kahalau was such a trooper every step of the way. After her first round of chemo, we were discharged and went to stay at the Ronald McDonald House. While there her count recovered and she walked more than she had in a month. She was starting to be a happy and active child again. After another round of chemotherapy, we saw more improvement in her walking and she began to eat more.

Kahalau is still undergoing chemotherapy treatment but remains active and is known to inspire other patients at the hospital. One Mom commented how her son did not want to walk for a few days and seeing Kahalau playing in the halls with her IV Pole made him walk more than he did in a while! She still has her tough days but she is so strong and pulls through even managing to display her silly personality, laughter and love of singing.

We are look forward to the day our daughter is no longer in the hospital fighting cancer and we are honored and excited to have UVSC at our side.

If you ask Tekauri what his favorite color is he will tell you, “all the colors are my favorite colors.” Tekauri sees the world through a unique and original lens that is beautifully and always positive.

In December of 2020, Tekauriʻs mom and dad noticed a lazy eye and took Tekauri to get glasses but that did not seem to help little Tekauri. They took Tekauri back to the doctor a few weeks later because he was now having trouble with his balance. While Tekauri was in the hospital in January of 2021, an MRI revealed a large tumor located in Tekauri’s brain stem. Tekauri and his mom were immediately transported via medivac to Kapiolani Hospital on Oahu where two days later Tekauri underwent surgery to remove the cancerous tumor.

Prior to the surgery, Tekauri was entertaining all the nurses and bragging about the cool things he could make in minecraft. After the surgery, however, Tekauri was unable to talk, swallow, or move his body. Mom and dad found out the fast growing tumor was a malignant and rare type of cancer. The fast growing nature of his type of tumor made it important that Tekauri begin treatment within 4 weeks to improve his chances for survival. Therefore, Tekauri statyed in the hospital where he turned 6 years old. The nurses made a special poster for him, family and friends sent gifts. Tekauri left Kapiolani to begin his six week treatment of Proton radiation and chemotherapy in Seattle where he had to have special support to help keep his head up as he was not able to hold his own head up, walk, or move his arms.

While in Seattle, Tekauri pushed through radiation and chemotherapy. As part of his proton radiation treatment he had to wear a special mask to keep his head still. The nurses decorated the mask into Tekauriʻs favorite cartoon character. Tekauri continues to heal and he no longer needs a neck brace and he has began moving more and can now walk slowly. Three weeks into treatment in Seattle his brother, Kalaeʻula, and sister, Kamani, came up to stay with him as well as his grandparents. Tekauriʻs health and overall well being improved by having his siblings and grandparents around, he was happier and more motivated to move and do things. Tekauri spent a lot of time sitting next to his grandpa on the couch watching basketball games or sitting along the edge of the lake. Unfortunately, grandpa passed away unexpectedly of a heart attack while in Seattle. On April 23, 2021 Tekauri and his family returned home to Hawaii after spending eight weeks away. They stayed beyond the six weeks in order for Tekauri to receive intensive physical, speech, and occupational therapy at Seattle Childrenʻs Hospital.

Tekauri has since begun his 11 month maintenance chemotherapy plan and is receiving treatment on Oahu at Kapiolani. He continues to progress and the family is confident that one day he will be walking and talking normally on his own. Mom, Kala Baybayan Tanaka, is a community teacher of Hawaiian voyaging and navigation, she is a navigator and crew member on voyaging canoes Hokuleʻa, Hikianalia, and Moʻokiha. Dad, Daniel Tanaka, works in the Mauna Kahalawai watershed (West Maui) as a conservationist, both parents have taken leave from their work to focus on Tekauri and their family.

Tekauriʻs mom believes that all children battling cancer are heroes and she continues to learn so much from her own son’s fight. She, along with her family and friends are inspired daily by Tekauri’s strength, love and resilience. UVSC, along with the entire Maui community, stands beside them to help provide that much needed strength and hope.

James Gonzalez-Wesley is a sweet, affectionate 4 year old boy with a playful laugh and dimples that bring a smile and joy to everyone he meets. Little James loves to sing songs, go to the beach, pop water balloons and play with his family and friends.



James’ parents, Matias Gonzalez-Wesley and Malia Lonzaga, first noticed he wasn’t gaining weight, he looked pale and was less playful. He would not run around as usual and complained that his legs hurt. His parents took James in for a blood test and the results were alarming and indicative of possible cancer. James and his parents raced to Oahu where he was diagnosed via a bone marrow test with b-ALL Leukemia on 1/21/20. The following day little James began an intensive chemotherapy regimen that involves 5 chemo drugs (plus others to control side effects), multiple spinal taps and bone marrow tests, and the insertion of a central line i.v. “port” to deliver fluids and chemo directly into his heart.

His parents have not left his side. The family is experiencing the tremendous hardship of being away from the support of family and friends and they are unable to work. They are, however, determined to face this challenge with bravery and optimism and they will do everything they can to comfort and care for their child, while trusting that God has a plan for James.

James, although weak from treatment, still manages moments of humor and tender sweetness. The hospital nurses continuously comment on what a cooperative patient little James is, as he extends his arm out for yet another blood test.   Before becoming ill, James would play Doctor with his stuffed animals, carefully checking their vital signs with a pretend stethoscopes and thermometers. Now, during treatment, he has an intense curiosity and intently watches what the doctors and nurses are doing and his family can’t help but wonder if his future lies in the field of healing and helping others.

James’ family looks forward to the day that he will be home & back to playing doctor with his usual enthusiasm. Although this is not a journey the family would choose to take, they are so grateful that they do not have to walk it alone. With UVSC and the love and support of the community, the family hopes and plans for a bright future for little James.

Tavin Hashimoto is a nine year old fun-loving, upcountry Maui boy who loves to help on his grandpa’s farm.

Tavin Hashimoto is the nine year old son of Davin and Tammi-Lynn Hashimoto. The Hashimotos live in Kula, Maui with Tavin and his two younger siblings. In March of 2017 the family was devastated to learn that young Tavin had Acute Myeloid Leukemia, an aggressive form of leukemia. The family immediately flew to Kapiolani Hospital on Oahu and started his grueling treatment plan.

Tavin was tough and endured long hospital stays and a lengthy, painful chemotherapy schedule. During it all, Tavin remained positive and playful and in October 2017, the family was told that the treatment had worked and Tavin was in remission. It wasn’t long, however, until the family received the unfortunate news that Tavin’s cancer had returned. While the treatment had worked the first time around, it was extremely taxing on little Tavin’s body and immune system. Even with that painful experience, Tavin remains tough and ready to fight cancer for the second time. The family is praying that a new, more aggressive chemotherapy regime will be effective and allow Tavin to undergo a bone marrow transplant as soon as possible.

When not fighting cancer, little Tavin likes to play outside with his siblings or help his grandfather on the family farm. Tavin is tough, never complains, and is still joyful to be around. Tavin is a young optimistic Maui boy courageously fighting aggressive cancer for the second time in his young life. He knows he will beat cancer again and if you ask him how he knows, he will answer because “God’s got me.” Tavin has spent his last two birthdays in the hospital but rather than complain, he makes up for it by enjoying the limited time he spends at home these days. We all need to support little Tavin, so he can once again beat cancer and just enjoy his childhood with his family. #tavintough #lovebeatscancer #uvscfamily.

Christa Wittmier, a Honolulu legend, was diagnosed with late stage IDC in left breast with metastasis to lymph nodes and lungs in May of 2015. By September of that same year she showed no signs of cancer. However, in May 2016, the cancer returned more aggressively. She was diagnosed with Stage IV Breast Cancer and it also moved to her liver, lungs and brain. She underwent hormone therapy and finished whole brain radiation with regular scans to stay on top of the metastasis.

Contrast Magazine called her “the most important person in Hawai’i’s nightlife.”

FLUX Magazine confirmed she paid her dues as far as the industry is concerned and has helped countless promoters, musicians, DJs, and clubs especially in Chinatown.

BJPenn.com said “Chances are that this dynamic woman has had an influence in the Hawaii life you love.”

Christa, also known as “supercw” was a DJ, Columnist, and Marketing Director. Her nightlife website has intimately depicted many era’s of the scene as far back as 2005. Its content has appeared as it’s own TV segment, radio show, magazine column and won many awards.

She was a founding director for the POW! WOW! Hawaii arts festival, and the creator of many popular signature events on Oahu. Her end of the year awards blog post and accompanying events garnered many avid readers and fans.

In 2015 after a late stage breast cancer diagnosis, Christa took to social media to share her journey, notably taking an integrative approach to her treatment. Combining natural, Eastern and Western treatments she shocked everyone by showing no traces of any cancer after 12 weeks. She detailed everything she did in a viral YouTube video and wrote a free paper “A Cancer Plan of Attack” shared Google doc which has already helped thousands across the world. She also caught the attention of local press who featured both her treatment regimens and her events post-cancer to help other cancer patients.

With the response of her YouTube video of her Snapchat Story and TEDxHonolulu appearance Christa began filming her documentary “Invisible Illness” in October of 2015.

Sadly, in January of 2019, we lost Christa, but her love and memory has encouraged us and many others to keep fighting!  #lovebeatscancer #cwstrong #weloveyouchrista

Blythe is a full-time single mother to four young sons, Kohdy (12), Kayzn (4), Kaleb (3), and Keanu (1), with whom she loves taking on beach adventures. She was also very career-driven and enjoyed several years as a Target Executive. She’s got a magnetic personality, making friends wherever she goes and is the type of friend that’s always there for you, no matter what. Those close to Blythe know she’s also the life of the party, always singing, dancing, and making everyone laugh.

Blythe’s health took a turn when she had her gallbladder removed in the summer of 2021, when doctor’s misdiagnosed a gallstone. Unfortunately, this turned out to be a tumor. A week later, Blythe was diagnosed with stage 3 gallbladder cancer, a very unpredictable, rare, and aggressive type of cancer. Shortly thereafter, a scan revealed cancer cells found on part of her liver, closest to where the gallbladder lay. Castle surgeons performed a liver recession surgery with robotic assistance to remove the cancerous cells. Her oncologist decided to start chemotherapy treatment in hopes of eliminating any remaining cancer cells.

After two months of treatment, another scan revealed the cancer spread throughout her abdomen. Blythe was put on a more aggressive chemotherapy treatment plan. And a few months later, another body scan revealed the cancer had spread across her liver, causing liver failure. Doctors gave her three months to live.

Blythe continues to struggle and UVSC, and the community, remembers all the times Blythe was our friend that we turned to in times need. She has always been there for us, and it’s our turn to rally support for her.